Treating Traumatic Stress Disorders in Children With Developmental Disabilities

Research suggests that children with developmental disabilities (DD), including autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities, are more likely than their typically developing peers to be assaulted or maltreated (Sullivan, 2009; Turner et al., 2011). Identification can be difficult, as children with developmental or intellectual delays may have trouble reporting traumatic events and their effects. Caregivers and treatment providers struggle to discriminate between DD-related behavior and trauma-related symptoms (Mazefsky, Kao & Oswald, 2011). Provision of trauma-informed care requires an understanding of the prevalence of trauma and its effects on children. This half-day workshop has a three-pronged focus: reviewing the literature on trauma in children with DD, discussing the dual diagnosis of trauma and DD, and giving practical strategies for applying a trauma-informed treatment approach to children with DD.