Treating Infants and Young Children Impacted by Trauma

Infants and young children are vulnerable to multiple types of trauma, including neglect and sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Trauma can alter young children’s neurobiological development and place them at risk for behavioral, social, emotional, linguistic, and cognitive problems across the lifespan. Early interventions can foster recovery and enhance resilience. Joy D. Osofsky, Phillip T. Stepka, and Lucy S. King distill the vast literature on childhood trauma, review possible effects traumatic experiences, and provide a detailed framework for selecting the most appropriate intervention. Case examples teach clinicians how to apply these treatments and support parents and caregivers as sources of security in a child’s life.