Which phenomenon is most likely to manifest in younger children after trauma, compared with teens?

Which phenomenon is most likely to manifest in younger children after trauma, compared with teens?

• A. PTSD may appear in play rather than in verbal reports.
• B. PTSD appears only in academic work.
• C. PTSD is not possible in young children.
• D. Teens never show PTSD signs.

Answer: (A)

Developmental differences shape how PTSD shows up after trauma. Younger children often express distress through play and behavior rather than through verbal descriptions, because their language and cognitive development make it harder to articulate intrusive memories or avoidance. You’ll frequently see trauma expressed as reenactment in play with dolls or toys, repetitive trauma-themed play, regression in skills, clinginess, sleep disturbances, or fears that surface in their everyday activities. Teens, by contrast, are more likely to report intrusive memories, avoidance, and other symptoms in verbal or written form, mirroring adult patterns. So the phenomenon most likely to appear in younger children is PTSD showing up in play rather than in verbal reports. The other statements aren’t aligned with how PTSD typically presents across ages: PTSD can occur in young children, and teens can show PTSD signs, not limited to academic contexts.

Developmental differences shape how PTSD shows up after trauma. Younger children often express distress through play and behavior rather than through verbal descriptions, because their language and cognitive development make it harder to articulate intrusive memories or avoidance. You’ll frequently see trauma expressed as reenactment in play with dolls or toys, repetitive trauma-themed play, regression in skills, clinginess, sleep disturbances, or fears that surface in their everyday activities. Teens, by contrast, are more likely to report intrusive memories, avoidance, and other symptoms in verbal or written form, mirroring adult patterns. So the phenomenon most likely to appear in younger children is PTSD showing up in play rather than in verbal reports. The other statements aren’t aligned with how PTSD typically presents across ages: PTSD can occur in young children, and teens can show PTSD signs, not limited to academic contexts.