This Clinical Bite will unpack complex childhood trauma and its impact on a child’s brain development, information processing, language development, and classroom participation. Therapists will be given hands-on activities and strategies that help to build rapport, empower children to feel heard, and create a safe, consistent and predictable therapeutic environment.

Learning objectives

Upon successful completion of this workshop, participants will be able to

• describe complex childhood trauma and how it impacts the brain,
• describe how trauma impacts children’s learning/attention/focus in the classroom,
• modify strategies to fit ongoing intervention to build rapport, set goals and support communication using trauma informed strategies.

Presenter: Caitlyn Weber

Following the completion of a psychology undergraduate degree and honours degree, Caitlin graduated with a Masters in Speech Pathology in Western Australia in 2014. In 2015, she moved to South Australia and has worked in private practice, focusing on literacy/dyslexia, in community health as well as working with clients with hearing loss, disability, and/or trauma.

She currently runs her own private practice two days a week as well as working for a not-for-profit children’s charity called Act for Kids who help children and families heal from childhood trauma.

In her spare time, she participates in a range of Latin dance styles and enjoy traveling and dancing all over the country. Her passion lies in educating children and families about communication and how trauma impacts brain development, communication and behaviour.

• Training Hours: 1.30