Trauma-informed Discipleship
A year ago, we knew nothing about trauma. At least, not in the academic or scientific sense. Last August, MetroHealth Hospital provided a training at Youth for Christ titled, “Trauma/Toxic Stress and Child Development: Implications for Community Members.” Trauma and toxic stress rewire the brain. Cognitive, emotional, and physical development are potentially impaired by high levels of childhood trauma. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic, childhood events which have a detrimental impact on future health outcomes. Today, physicians and researchers recognize that the higher a child’s ACE score, the more likely they are to exhibit trauma-related behavioral issues, participate in risky behaviors, and experience poor health outcomes throughout life. 1 The science is rich and well above my ability to understand fully and communicate clearly. Nadine Burke Harris, a physician and leading researcher in this field, explains ACEs and their consequent health impacts in her TED...