Although traumatic events are rare in the lives of most children, each year three million children are diagnosed as having Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Not everyone who goes through the same experience responds in the same way. Reactions and recovery are affected by the length and intensity of the traumatic event. The effects of the trauma diminish over time, and a child will be most symptomatic in the first forty days. Thus, this time frame may be the optimal time to evaluate the child and this should be kept in mind when assessing the child's functioning.
Early intervention is imperative.
Parental support influences how well the child will cope in the aftermath of the event. Parents and professionals can help children by maintaining a strong physical presence, by letting the child express thoughts and feelings about the events, retelling it in words, play or pictures. Discussing what to do or what has been done to prevent the event from recurring and maintaining a stable and predictable routine will help make the child feel safe and more confident. For children in therapy, behavioral approaches are the most effective direct treatment. For example, in the technique of flooding, the child is exposed to a situation that creates stress and is then taught how to handle it effectively.