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Sensitivity: Confidential
Purpose Statement
The purpose of this essay is to help parents identify the behavior their children may
display when they suffer from PTSD as well as to provide ways to help those children cope with
the condition. The issue of PTSD in children is relevant today because we live in world where
tragedy is common. There are people being killed by gun violence, domestic disputes in family
households, and even car accidents, taking place right in front of our children’s eyes. We don’t
always stop to think about how witnessing these things can affect them both short and long term.
Some parents may think they’re child is “acting out”, however, their child may be having a post
traumatic episode because of what they saw. I’m hoping my research will assist parents in being
more aware of their children’s behavior and making sure they get the necessary help when
needed. Not only will parents be interested in this topic, my research will also benefit adults
without children, school teachers, and other children themselves. School teachers are in constant
communication with children every day. By them knowing what to look for in a child who is not
behaving in their normal manner, they may be able to provide help to that child sooner rather
than later. Other relatives can help their family members as well by being more aware. Most
importantly, everyone understand what PTSD is, what causes the condition, and how to treat it.
PTSD: We Can Help Our Children Too
Jan is asked to attend a parent-teacher conference regarding her daughter Jamie but has
no idea why. Jamie is an honor roll student and is involved in many extracurricular activities at
her school. When Jan arrives, the teacher expresses her concern about Jamie’s grades and the
fact that she’s been missing quite a bit of cheerleading practice. Jan sits there dumbfounded
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because she had no idea that her daughter was having issues at school. Whenever her daughter
comes home from school, Jan always makes sure to check in with her and Jamie always says that
her day was fine and that she’s going to her room to do homework. Jan asks the teacher how long
this behavior has been going on and is told that it’s been about one week. When Jamie gets home
that evening, Jan asks her daughter how her day went. Jamie, as usual, tells her mom that she had
a great day and that she’s going up to her room to complete her homework. Instead of letting her
go to her room, Jan asks her daughter what’s been going on and fills her in on the parent teacher
conference she had to attend that day. Jamie immediately breaks down crying and says that it’s
been hard for her to maintain her grades and still be a social butterfly since her grandmother died
this time last year. At that point, Jan realized that Jamie may need some professional help and set
her up with the family therapist. What Jan didn’t realize is that her daughter was suffering from
