Natural disasters can be traumatic for children. Experiencing a dangerous or violent flood, storm, wildfire, or earthquake is frightening and the devastation to the familiar environment can be long lasting and distressing. Here are some common reactions in children and how you as a parent can help lessen the mental health impact felt.

1. Helping Children Cope
After Hurricane Sandy
Angela Adamson, LCSW, ACT
Behavioral Health & Cognitive
Therapy Center

2. Sandy
• Effects

Loss of power

Disruption in schedules

School cancelations

Gas lines

Damage to homes

Limited food

Loss of life

3. After Sandy
• Common reactions in children
• How you can help your child
• When to seek help

4. Common Responses in Children
• Occur whenever exposed to or witness
potentially life threatening events
• Usually resolve in a matter of weeks or
a few months

5. Emotional Reactions
• Worry • Helplessness
• Sadness • Hopelessness
• Anger • General/Specific
Image courtesy of: freedigitalphotos.net • Shock Fear
• Terror
• Irritability
• Blame
• Guilt
• Confusion
Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Retrieved November 9, 2012 from www.academyofct.org

6. Thinking Reactions
• Imagining dangers • Self-blame
and risks • Confusion

Especially related to 
Repeating questions
parents • Questions about
• Intrusive death
thoughts/memories • Nightmares
• Problems with

Concentration

School work
Image courtesy of: freedigitalphotos.net
Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Retrieved November 9, 2012 from www.academyofct.org

7. Physical Reactions
• Fatigue, exhaustion • Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping • Stomach upset

Wanting to sleep • Decreased appetite
with parents
• Bedwetting
• Easily startled
• Increased difficulties
• Hyper or geared up
with self-control
Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Retrieved November 9, 2012 from www.academyofct.org Image courtesy of: freedigitalphotos.net

8. Behavioral Reactions
• Argumentative • Regression
• Defiant • Increase in any
• Clingy previous behavior
• Social withdrawal problems
• Impaired school
performance
• Distrust
• Blame
Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Retrieved November 9, 2012 from www.academyofct.org Image courtesy of: freedigitalphotos.net

9. Resilience
• Children are very resilient!
• Studies show that children who are emotionally
supported through natural disasters are more likely to
return to normal functioning after several weeks.
• The way parents cope with and perceive natural
disasters directly impacts how a child will cope.
Image courtesy of: freedigitalphotos.net

10. What parents can do
• Take care of yourself!
• Recognize reactions as normal
• Return to routine or develop a
temporary routine
• Provide ample physical and
emotional support
• Allow your child to tell their story

Talking, drawing, writing, role playing
• Acknowledge their feelings Photo credit: Bindaas Madhavi / Foter /
CC BY-NC-ND
Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Retrieved November 9, 2012 from www.academyofct.org

11. What parents can do
• Limit exposure to news coverage
• Answer questions in age appropriate
way
• Give your child opportunities to help

Write thank you letters to police, firemen,
etc.

Help cook a meal for a family without power
• Spend time with family and friends
• Have fun
• Stay healthy
Image courtesy of: freedigitalphotos.net
Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Retrieved November 9, 2012 from www.academyofct.org

12. What not to do
• Do not overly focus on the
natural disaster.
• Do not avoid talking about it.
• Do not have adult
conversations about the
disaster in front of children.
• Do not keep the news on
constantly.
Image courtesy of: freedigitalphotos.net

13. When should I seek help?
• No decrease in intensity and frequency of
reactions within one month.
• Responses become intensified and/or dangerous.
• Disruption in daily activities
Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Retrieved November 9, 2012 from www.academyofct.org

14. Where to get Help

Treatment
• SMG – Behavioral Health & Cognitive Therapy Center
– 908-277-8900
• NJ Psychological Association
– 973-243-9800
• Academy of Cognitive Therapy
– www.academyofct.com

Information
• CDC – www.cdc.gov
• NIH - www.nimh.nih.gov
• NCTSN- www.nctsn.org