Sometimes, parents just know their child needs special attention.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s especially true for parents of children who\u2019ve experienced serious traumatic events, such as domestic violence.<\/p>\n
California for the past several years has created a range of programs and tools to help those families find the help they need.\u00a0<\/p>\n
They\u2019re rooted in studies on what\u2019s known as Adverse Childhood Experiences,<\/a> or ACES, a term that captures the kind of trauma that can lead to debilitating consequences for a young person\u2019s health and education.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf we could heal children, we would have healthier adults,\u201d said First 5 California<\/a> Executive Director Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, whose organization supports early learning services throughout the state.<\/p>\n CalMatters today published a special report on Mi Escuelita<\/a>, a preschool in San Diego that for almost 20 years has built a healing environment<\/a> for young children exposed to trauma.\u00a0<\/p>\n We also spoke with Wong to learn about what California families should know when they begin looking for assistance after trauma.\u00a0<\/p>\n Just the right amount of news<\/p>\n Just the right amount of news<\/p>\n Get California\u2019s most essential headlines without feeling overwhelmed.<\/p>\n Get California\u2019s most essential headlines without feeling overwhelmed.<\/p>\n Here are some of her recommendations:<\/p>\n How do I know if my child needs extra attention?<\/p>\n If you start to notice a change from their normal behavior \u2014 a child who is normally well-behaved starts to act out or becomes more reserved and quiet \u2014 it could be a sign of a deeper issue. Also keep an eye to changes to their eating or sleeping habits.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAny change in normal behavior is a good time to wonder,\u201d said Wong.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you know your child is experiencing toxic stress<\/a>, but you haven\u2019t noticed changes in their behavior, you can still begin looking for support. Untreated trauma <\/a>within children can lead to low academic performance and a variety of health problems such as substance abuse, developing eating disorders, heart disease and diabetes.<\/p>\n Who should I reach out to for help?<\/p>\n Once you start to notice a change, you might naturally head to Google to see if you can find any resources. While that can be helpful, it can also lead you down rabbit holes that can cause confusion or more stress during an already difficult time.\u00a0<\/p>\n For Californians, the First 5 California website<\/a> is a good place to start. It offers resources, tips and information on providers in your area as well as information about how toxic stress can affect a child.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is different from everyday stress, like missing a test or not knowing exactly how to tie a shoe,\u201d Wong said. \u201cWe\u2019re talking about a deeper, more long-term.\u201d<\/p>\n What about a doctor?<\/p>\n You can also get in touch with a pediatrician who can provide a screening to see if a child or adult has been exposed to traumatic childhood events<\/a> such as abuse, violence or neglect.<\/p>\n Once the assessment is complete, the pediatrician will provide a treatment plan, education and resources that parents can access to support their child.<\/p>\n What type of support should my child receive at school?<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Asset-4.png\")
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