Childhood trauma can take various forms, such as physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect. This particular factor is responsible for adverse health consequences in adults.

Adverse childhood experiences research has show that adults who have been exposed to child maltreatment (ACE’s) have a shorter life expectancy. Research has shown that they have an increased rate of suicide, drug abuse, alcoholism, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and certain forms of cancer have decreased their life expectancy as much as 7 years on average.

The Impact of Childhood Trauma

The impact of traumatic stress exceeds the stage of childhood. In fact, research has shown that children who survive trauma are particularly at high risk of having:

• Learning problems, low school average, and more suspensions and expulsions from school
• Increased use of medical and mental health services
• Increased use of the child welfare system and the juvenile justice system
• Long-term health problems (e.g., diabetes and heart disease)
• Trauma is a risk factor for almost all mental and substance use disorders.

What Can You Do To Help?

With the right support, many children can adapt and overcome such experiences.

As a parent or close adult, you can be a central agent in a child’s recovery. Remember:

• Be patient. There is no predefined time to recover. Grieving is a process and there is no time limit on it. Some children recover quickly, while others recover more slowly. Try not to shame the child or make them feel guilty that they haven’t “let it go.” They have a right to their feelings and it will take lots of healing experiences for them to overcome.
• Reassure the child that he or she is not responsible for what happened. Children may blame themselves for what happened, even if the events were beyond their control.
• Create an environment where the grieving child feels safe. This will lower their anxiety and make them feel secure. Trust is a huge factor in feeling safe.

But, Is It Enough?

Even with the support of family members, teachers, coaches and others, some children do not recover naturally. When post traumatic event-related stress continues, a mental health professional with expertise in childhood trauma can help the child and family recover.

Treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, art therapy, music therapy, sand therapy and others are effective in helping children manage traumatic stress. There are several promising, evidence-based practices for relieving traumatic stress.

Finally, consider inviting a survivor of horrific childhood trauma who is now a top keynote speaker, trainer and author of seven books to your event, conference or organization. Derek Clark is a top childhood trauma keynote speaker and now offers virtual keynote presentations and training during this Covid-19 pandemic.

Why Derek Clark?

Derek Clark is a high-performing keynote speaker who has massive experience across the United States. He covers the American continent bringing the brightest minds around the world closer to companies and institutions that seek an outstanding figure for their private and corporate events.

Not only that, Derek is the author of the best-selling self-help books including “I Will Never Give Up”, “Disable the Label” and  “Never Limit Your Life”. His intention to make anyone life a better life is second to none.

 

About Derek Clark

Derek has lived a life of resilience and redemption. Before the age of 5, he suffered horrific child abuse before he was abandoned at a psychiatric hospital. From that point on, he spent 13 years in the San Francisco Bay Area foster care system. During this time, he reflected on his early life of deep emotional distress and overwhelming anxiety. His ACE score of 10 indicates the amount of trauma he experienced at an early age.

Although the system was against him, Derek didn’t let his childhood trauma hold him back. With the help of his foster parents, social worker and mentors, he healed from his childhood trauma and sought to help others in the same situation. He became a motivational speaker, trainer and author of seven books.

His most notable works include:

• Disable the Label: Never Limit the Potential of a Child
• Never Limit Your Life
• The I Will Never Give Up Series

His trials and personal triumphs have inspired organizations worldwide with his message of unwavering resilience, hope, courage and redemption. SOS Children’s Village, located in 134 countries, awarded Derek the International Foster Care Award for his work. He is the host of the Hope Dealers Podcast along with his Emmy Award-winning co-host Beth Troutman.

Derek has also been a featured expert on CNN Headline News, The Steve Harvey TV Show, The Ricki Lake TV Show and other TV shows around the world. Recently, Derek has become a viral video sensation for his “Rapping Dad” videos which have had over 250 million views.

Derek’s virtual keynote events

At a time when Zoom events and conferences are common, Derek’s style transfers particularly well to online platforms in addition to in-person events. His most popular keynote presentations include:

• The Power of Hope, Love and Connection
• From Brutal Childhood Trauma to the Power of Resilience and Redemption
• You Cannot Think Negatively About a Child and Expect to Have a Positive Outcome
• Never Limit Your Life
• The Spirit of a Child: From Rejection to Connection to Direction
• If You Will Believe, The Child Will Achieve
• Critical Needs of Children and How to Help Them Thrive

He speaks on all of the following topics:

• Trauma
• Resilience
• Motivation
• How to connect to grieving children and youth,
• PBIS, SEL, ACE – Adverse Childhood Experiences
• Never limiting life
• Mental health
• Juvenile justice
• Early childhood development
• Abuse
• Labels
• Connection
• Employee burnout

During these presentations, Derek engages the audience by discussing not only credible research but also his own personal tragedy and triumph. He leaves the audience inspired and empowered. His strategies teach workplaces and individuals how to build resiliency to create optimal outcomes for children, youth and society.

For any individual or professional who has contact with childhood trauma, mental health or the child welfare system, this is mandatory training.

Looking for samples of Derek’s work?

Check out this fantastic TEDx talk on The Power of Determination: It’s not about your IQ; It’s about your I-WILL. You can also keep up with his exciting journey by following his on his Facebook page or his viral video Rapping Dad page.

You can contact Derek here to book him for virtual keynote and in-person events.