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