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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A Resource Guide by Molly Goldberg
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that can develop after
someone experiences a traumatic or terrifying event. Specifically, the disorder occurs after an
individual has experienced, witnessed, or been threatened by physical harm.
Diagnosis
Symptoms of post-traumatic stress
disorder can be grouped into three
categories.
1. Re-experiencing phenomena
 Flashbacks
 Bad dreams
2. Avoidance symptoms
 Lost interest in activities
 Trouble remembering the
dangerous event
3. Hyper-arousal symptoms
 Easily startled
 Difficulty sleeping
 Angry outbursts
 Inattention
Prevalence
You have probably heard about PTSD and veterans. But,
the disorder can affect anyone who has gone through a
traumatic experience, including children. More than three
million children in the U.S. are believed to have PTSD. As
seen in the first graph above from the National Institute of
Mental Health (2015), 4% of 13 to 18 year olds in the
United States have PTSD. As seen in the second graph,
females are more likely to develop PTSD than males.
Symptoms of PTSD usually develop the
first month after the trauma, but they
may not show up until later. To be
diagnosed with PTSD, a person must
have at least one re-experiencing
phenomena, three avoidance symptoms,
and two hyper-arousal symptoms for
one month.
Causes: The following traumas can bring on PTSD.
 violent attacks, like rape
 fire
 natural or manmade disasters
 neighborhood shootings
 physical or sexual abuse
 car cashes
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A Resource Guide by Molly Goldberg
Treatment
The main treatments for people with PTSD are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and
medications. CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that helps children
replace negative thoughts and feelings with more positive thoughts. Medication might be used
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to treat a child’s anxiety and depression associated with PTSD.
Agencies and Services for Students with PTSD
National Center for PTSD
The National Center for PTSD is an organization
committed to research and education about PTSD. The
National Center aims to help veterans, the general public,
and family and friends deal with PTSD. The website
includes publications, books, research, and assessment
instruments, as well as tips for coping with specific PTSD
symptoms, mindfulness practices, and family support
groups.
Contact info:
National Center for PTSD
VA Medical Center (116D)
215 North Main St
White River Junction, Vermont 05009
(802) 296-5135
What Teachers Can Do
Teachers can provide students with
PTSD the following accommodations
and assistive technology devices.
 Use a wall calendar.
 Use a daily or weekly task list.
 Allow student to play soothing
music using a headset.
 Divide large assignments into
smaller goal-oriented tasks.
 Identify and remove
environmental triggers such as
particular smells or noises.
 Provide a consistent, reliable
routine in your classroom.
PTSD Alliance
Children’s Hospital Boston
The PTSD Alliance is a group of professional and advocacy
organizations that focus on health services for individuals
with PTSD. The website lists local services for individuals
with PTSD seeing treatment.
The hospital is a leader in the field of providing
care to children and adolescents with mental
and behavioral disorders. The clinic provides
psychotherapy, family support, and information
for parents.
Contact info:
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
111 Deer Lake Road, Suite 100
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 480-9028
Contact info:
Boston Children's Hospital
300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A Resource Guide by Molly Goldberg
Helpful Web Resources
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from Children's Mental Health Services/REACH.
REACH outlines the behaviors associated with PTSD and provides specific educational
strategies for teachers.
Post traumatic stress disorder from KidsHealth.
KidsHealth tells the reader who is most likely to develop PTSD and why. The website explains
how a child may feel anxiety, depression, and stress associated with the trauma.
What is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder? from National Institute of Mental Health.
NIMH attributes PTSD to genes and changes in specific brain areas. The website includes
testimonials from individuals who have the disorder.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A Resource Guide by Molly Goldberg
Annotated Bibliography
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Children. (2015, August). Boston
Children's Hospital. Retrieved from http://www.childrenshospital.org/conditionsand-treatments/conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd.
Boston Children's Hospital is a leading hospital and research institution on matters of
mental and behavioral health. The website provides information about research and
clinical trials as well as programs and services related to PTSD.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (2015, August). Children's Mental Health
Services/REACH. Retrieved from http://www.cmhsreach.org/disorder_ptsd.html.
REACH is a key resource for educators. The website explains symptoms and behaviors
associated with PTSD and provides concrete instructional strategies and classroom
accommodations for educators.
Special Needs Fact Sheet: Post traumatic stress disorder. (2015, August). KidsHealth.
Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/parent/classroom/factsheet/ptsdfactsheet.html.
KidsHealth is an informational website for students, parents, and educators. The website
provides medical advice, symptoms lists, information about diagnoses, and tips for
teachers.
What is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder? (2015, August). National Institute of Mental
Health. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumaticstress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml.
The NIMH is a portion of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The website
provides information about mental illness and treatments.