A car collision is an upsetting event no matter your age. For kids, being involved in an accident can be especially distressing, as they may feel confused about what happened, and not fully understand why or how the incident occured. As a parent, it can be particularly upsetting to see your child go through something so traumatic.
You may feel anxious and confused about how best to handle this situation and how you can minimize the long-term impact that the accident may have on your child. With this in mind, here are some ideas on how you can help and support your child after a vehicle accident:
If your child was physically hurt during the collision, it’s essential to get them checked out right away. Even if they seem to be okay initially, it’s best to keep an eye on them over the coming days so that you can spot any signs of an injury, and get it treated quickly.
After your child has been checked over, it’s crucial to ensure that you understand what you can expect from their recovery. Understanding the different stages of their recovery and the support they will need to progress, such as physical therapy, will help you to prepare your child for their upcoming treatment. This knowledge will also enable you to plan the logistics of their recovery, such as when you will need to take them to the hospital for appointments, and how much time they need to spend on rehabilitation each day.
As well as supporting your child’s physical recovery, it’s also vital to consider the impact the accident may have had on their mental health. You may notice that your child’s beahvior as dramatically changed following the accident, maybe they are clingier to you than usual, or perhaps they’re afraid to travel in the car.
Trauma can show itself in many different ways. However, if it’s ignored, it’s only going to buildup and become worse over the years. Understanding the signs of PTSD in children after a car accident, will help you to get your child the professional help and support they need more quickly.
You may find that your child is particularly keen to speak about the accident. But for some children, they may actively avoid discussing anything to do with the collision. You may feel tempted to push your child to talk about what happened, or to ask them to stop talking about it if you feel that they are going over the accident too much. Usually, it’s better to take your child’s cue and not force them to speak if they don’t want to. If you think it would be helpful, it could be worth arranging for your child to speak with a professional therapist with experience of helping children who have been through a traumatic event. Having the right support from you and professionals can make a world of difference to your child’s long-term recovery.
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