Trauma can follow accidents, illness, loss, or upheaval; grief is the natural response to loss of a loved one or a life change. In children, these experiences often manifest as anxiety, regression, withdrawal, or acting out. Helping kids talk about their story and rebuild routine can guide them back to security and resilience.

Look for nightmares, clinginess, anger outbursts, withdrawal from friends, or drops in school performance. Physical complaints (tummy aches, headaches) and regression (bed-wetting, thumb-sucking) are also common signs that a child is struggling to cope.