Trauma Informed Care for Persons Who Are NeuroAtypical

Dr. Donnelly Snipes introduces the topic of trauma-informed care, specifically addressing the needs of neuroatypical persons. The presentation aims to define neuroatypicality, explore the distinct experiences of such individuals, and discuss how common practices might be traumatic for them. It also touches on the importance of understanding adverse childhood experiences in this population and the need for trauma-informed approaches to ensure their safety and prevent re-victimization. The focus is on those who cannot communicate their needs effectively, such as infants or non-verbal individuals, and the various neuroatypical conditions that may be present, including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and ADHD.

The discussion delves into how sensory abnormalities can make everyday experiences potentially traumatic for neuroatypical individuals. It covers physical sensitivities to pain and the risk of injury due to hypo-responsiveness, as well as sensory overload that can be both painful and frightening. The importance of understanding the heightened or diminished responses to sensory input and the potential for chronic exposure to trauma to lead to dysfunction in the threat response system and subsequent mental and physical health issues is emphasized.

This section discusses the impact of trauma on the development of neuroatypical children, particularly how it can affect their learning and behavior. It highlights the role of the HPA axis in emotional dysregulation and how repeated trauma can lead to a state of being 'flat' or 'furious.' The potential for invalidating environments to exacerbate the situation and the importance of recognizing sensory abnormalities in the classroom to prevent school failure and low self-esteem are also covered.

The focus shifts to the experiences of young children, particularly how over-stimulation can affect them due to sensory gating abnormalities. The narrative explores how neuroatypical children may struggle with filtering out irrelevant stimuli, leading to difficulties in focusing and processing information. It also discusses the importance of understanding and adapting to these challenges to support the child's development and well-being.

This paragraph explores the nuances of sensory processing issues, differentiating between sensory processing disorder and sensory processing sensitivity. It discusses how these conditions are not classified in the DSM or ICD but are significant for neuroatypical individuals. The challenges faced by those with schizophrenia in processing sensory stimuli are highlighted, along with the potential for abnormal sensory predictions to contribute to hallucinations and delusions.

The script addresses the impact of family dynamics on neuroatypical children, including the potential for neglect, abuse, and the development of mood or substance disorders within the household. It discusses how caregivers' lack of understanding about the child's needs can lead to unintentional abuse and how the child's behavior may be misinterpreted as defiance or oppositionality. The importance of recognizing the signs of trauma and implementing a trauma-informed approach in care is emphasized.

The presentation outlines the principles of trauma-informed care, focusing on safety, validation, support, and empowerment. It stresses the importance of recognizing the signs of trauma in individuals and their families and the need to integrate knowledge about trauma into policies and practices. The narrative encourages considering the prevalence of sensory processing issues in the community and the impact of such issues on a child's physical, emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal well-being.

This section discusses the importance of evaluating the environment for neuroatypical infants and children to minimize exposure to startle triggers and persistent noxious stimuli. It covers various sensory sensitivities, such as touch, taste, sound, light, and smell, and the need to adapt the environment to reduce distress. The narrative also touches on the importance of understanding the child's protective behaviors and the impact of these sensitivities on their self-esteem and relationships.

The focus is on how sensory integration issues or neuroatypicality can affect daily life, particularly in relation to food textures and temperatures. It discusses the challenges that certain food textures, temperatures, and tastes can pose for neuroatypical individuals and the importance of understanding these sensitivities to prevent discomfort and self-injury. The narrative also explores the need for modifications in various sensory domains to support the individual's well-being.

This paragraph addresses sensitivities to light, sound, and smell, and the potential interventions to manage these sensitivities. It discusses the impact of different wavelengths, decibel levels, and intensities on individuals with sensory processing differences. The narrative suggests various modifications, such as using sunglasses, adjusting light fixtures, providing quiet zones, and considering personal fans to mitigate the impact of these sensitivities.

The script concludes with a discussion on the increasing percentage of youth with neuroatypical issues, as evidenced by the rise in diagnoses of autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. It acknowledges the importance of trauma-informed care in understanding and accommodating the neurological differences in these individuals to create a safe, validating, supportive, and empowering environment.