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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2011-08-31, Page 16ctions to the August 21 nt can be varied, but similar e Milburn Signal -Star en's reactions to the tornado her -effects are strongly infltt - how parents, teachers and car - re coping, says London resi- hara Dorrington, a consultant r for the National Institute for nd Loss in Children. en need to know they are riot d they benefit from the stories eers, which will likely begin ng once school starts. Com - tions for adults and children d fears and anxieties about ty of family, friends and pets, around fears of another tornado ng memories, bad dream or feeling sweaty and shaky, ing or staying asleep ease in activity levels and oodiness a decrease in �'on and attention span, a tendency and more frequent anger d aggression e in physical complaints, headaches and stomach aches • Changes in work performance or school performance An over -focus on the tornado • Toddlers and young children may return to regressive behaviours such as thumb - sucking, bedwetting and clinginess • Teens and adults may have sleeping and eating difficulties, have an increase in conflicts with others, especially those close to them .• Financial worries as a result of job loss, temporary or permanent, due to employers losing their buildings or businesses • Survivor guilt is common and there will be a tendency to compare one's situation with those "worse off" and "better off" get inline goderichsignalstar.com Get all of your news. sports and more. Serving Goderich and surrounding area HELPFUL TIPS How to help • As an adult or parent, take care of yourself first and be kind to yourself, giving yourself time to heal. You are mourning a number of losses. Get adequate rest, eat as healthy as possible, stay in routine as much as possible because these provide safety and comfort. Avoid drinking excess caffeine or self -medications to sleep. Avoid making major life changes in the next four to six weeks. • Remain calm and reassuring with younger family members and children. • Volunteer to help others and encourage family members, even children to help too • Take time out to walk, exercise, go to church or engage in other calming activities • Remind children it is not their fault and recognize that young children may think they have done something wrong • Talk to your children and remind them they are safe now. Ask your child what he or she knows and clarify any misperceptions about the tornado. Be honest but keep it simple and limit your expectations over the next several weeks. Be present to Wednesday, August 31 2011 • Signal -Star 15 their feelings and concerns, and actively show you are listening to their worries. Do not be afraid to admit you do not have all the answers. Reassure regularly about safety. As a family, develop a disaster preparedness plan • Restrict exposure to regular disaster talk with family friends and media/news sources. • Offer activities to keep children occupied- drawing materials, lessons, sports, even chores. • Be supportive and nurturing and normalize that your child's reactions are not unusual following a tornado experience • Find out about local support groups in the schools and in the community • Be patient as children return to school as they may be more distracted and need extra help with homework. Teachers too can play an important role in helping children recover. When to Worry: If after four to six weeks, there are several persistent worry signs, seek professional help from a family doctor, a school counsellor, a counselling agency or a certified trauma therapist. Also, in a collective community disaster such as a tornado, worry signs may be delayed for several months while citizens pull together heroically to rebuild the town. Worry signs may Include: A friend or family member that continues to ... • struggle with sleeping • is easily startled by noises • is always anticipating danger or acts unafraid of everything • continues to have physical complaints, • has developed work or school avoidance or is losing concentration and has a drop in performance and grades • seems distant and sad • is blaming oneself or often talks about feeling guilty • less interested in participathIg in things the person used to do • becomes involved in risky behaviours • is isolating oneself, • is using alcohol or drugs for comfort 40 shows anger and upset when reminded about the traumatic event. zdr • Asphalt Shingles • Roof Leaks • New Roofs • ReRoofs Free Estimates Call Rob -519-524-0242