Charlotte County Public Schools

Children are often the most vulnerable of those impacted during and after a disaster or crisis. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, a growing body of research has established that children as young as infancy may be affected by events that threaten their safety or the safety of their parents or caregivers.

These are unfamiliar events that are not easily understood by children, who can find them emotionally confusing and frightening. During the time of turmoil, they may be left with a person unfamiliar to them and provided with limited information. Some warning signs of distress in children ages 6 to 11 include:

• Withdrawing from playgroups and friends
• Competing more for the attention of parents and teachers
• Being unwilling to leave home
• Being less interested in schoolwork
• Becoming aggressive
• Having added conflict with peers or parents
• Having difficulty concentrating
   

For teens, the impact varies depending on how much of a disruption the disaster or crisis causes their family or community. Teens ages 12 to 18 are likely to have physical complaints when under stress or be less interested in schoolwork, chores, or other responsibilities.

Although some teens may compete vigorously for attention from parents and teachers after a disaster, they also may:

• Become withdrawn
• Resist authority
• Become disruptive or aggressive at home or in the classroom
• Experiment with high-risk behaviors such as underage drinking or prescription drug misuse and abuse

From: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

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