Trauma Informed Care for the Pediatric Physical Therapist

This plenary session will present the work completed by the Trauma Informed Care Community of Practice. Pediatric physical therapists regularly encounter patients and caregivers who have experienced trauma that impacts their participation in therapy services. Adverse responses to trauma can affect health, adherence to intervention recommendations, attendance, behaviors during therapy sessions and brain development and architecture. It has been suggested that trauma informed care be a standard precaution in the treatment of all patients in order to avoid further traumatization and support resilience. Adopting a trauma informed care approach across all interactions with our patients, their families, and our co workers can enhance the quality of our services, family participation, work satisfaction and overall health care outcomes. This plenary session will introduce the learner to the prevalence of trauma in the children and families we work with, the consequences of that trauma, and the basics of adopting a trauma informed care approach at the child/family, organizational, community and societal level. Participants will apply the material to case studies and conclude the session with a plan for implementation in their work environments.