What is Trauma?

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Trauma happens when an event  creates  a feeling of being unsafe or helpless. It can come from experiencing a situation personally, seeing someone else go through it, or being affected by a loved one's trauma. When traumatic experiences happen in childhood, they’re called adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). What’s important to know is that it’s not just the experience itself that matters; it’s how a person is able to cope with it. Trauma affects people differently—what’s no big deal to one person can be life changing for someone else.

 

Neurodivergence and Trauma

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It's estimated that over 70% of people around the world will go through at least one traumatic event in their lives, and about 31% will face four or more. Research shows that people who are Autistic or otherwise neurodivergent are 1.5 to 3 times more likely than others to experience mistreatment that leads to trauma. For neurodivergent children, things like sensory overload, bullying, social isolation, and differences in communication and self-advocacy can lead to increased susceptibility to trauma compared to their neurotypical peers. The science of behavior analysis is a powerful therapeutic tool that has historically been misused, leading to neurodivergent children being taught to mask their true selves in order to belong. Many Autistic adults who participated in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as children have spoken out against the field sharing their “therapy” resulted in trauma. 

 

The Impact of Trauma on the Body

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When we face stressful situations, our bodies release two key stress hormones: cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones help us stay safe during dangerous times, but if they stay elevated for too long, they can cause a range of long-term issues, including:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Digestive problems

• Headaches

• Muscle tension and pain

• Heart issues like heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, and strokes

• Sleep problems

• Weight gain

• Trouble with memory and focus

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Studies show that having a caring, supportive person in your life is one thing that can help lessen the impact of traumatic events.

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Assumptions of Trauma-Informed Care

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Neurodivergent kids are more likely to experience at least one adverse childhood event (ACE) and may perceive and process these events differently from their neurotypical peers. At Unfurling Littles, we approach ABA programming with a trauma-informed perspective. This means that regardless of a child’s past experiences or what has been reported, all of our interventions are designed with the awareness that trauma could be a factor.

 

So, what does a Trauma-Informed Approach involve? It’s rooted in four key assumptions:

1. Realization - Understanding how trauma impacts individuals, families, and communities, and recognizing how it may impact mental health and impede positive outcomes

2. Recognition - Identifying signs of trauma through methods like screening, assessment, and supervision

3. Response - Applying trauma-informed principles across the organization—this means adapting policies, procedures, staffing, and culture to create a safer, more supportive environment

4. Resisting Re-Traumatization - Being aware of how policies, practices, and interventions might unintentionally trigger or worsen traumatic experiences for both staff and clients, and working to avoid this