The Impact of Trauma and Disabilities on Teenage Behavior
Most youth accused of delinquent acts have experienced significant trauma, particularly victimization, loss of important people in their lives, and exposure to violence. Even if they have been in foster care due to abuse or neglect, most of these young people have not received trauma treatment. Their everyday behavior is affected by past trauma; they are often reactive to threat, have relationship problems, and medicate their depression with substances. At least half of the youth we work with also have disabilities compromising how they process and organize their experience, which affects decision-making. In this session, we will discuss the impact of trauma and disabilities on teen behavior, and specifically how they affect capacity and competency.
This event is free and open to all WDA members and juvenile indigent defenders.
This event is co-sponsored by Washington Defender Association, TeamChild, and Society of Counsel Representing Accused People (SCRAP).
