Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder
Most individuals are impacted by at least one adverse experience in their lifetime. These experiences impact all aspects of occupation for a person. When adverse life experiences lead to significant and long-term stressors, the result may be a diagnosis of trauma. Such experiences may be both lived or observed and at any stage of development or age. The formal diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has historically been connected to war-related illnesses.
What is post-traumatic stress?
Trauma is a public health crisis impacting persons, groups, and populations. It may present in different forms such as neglect, racism and discrimination, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, natural disasters, military combat, or violent attacks. Traumatic experiences remain present in the body’s sensory system, affecting physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning. The American Occupational Therapy Association recognizes that traumatic lived experiences impact occupation in every domain of the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework, 4th edition (AOTA, 2020).
Current trauma diagnosis
A diagnosis of PTSD falls under specific criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Yet we must acknowledge complex trauma comes in various forms that may not meet such criteria. These resources provide information to recognize the different forms of trauma and the diagnostic process.
AOTA practice resources
Use AOTA's resources to support your practice on trauma in various settings.
Addressing acute stress and trauma
School mental health toolkit
Toxic stress in children
Mental health & well-being
Assessment tools to evaluate for post-traumatic stress
The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (OTPF-4; AOTA, 2020) emphasizes the importance of initiating services with proper evaluation. Both qualitative and quantitative assessment measures should be part of the evaluation process to initiate occupational therapy services. The following resources are additional standardized assessments to consider.
Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire
Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths
Childhood Trauma Questionnaire
Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale
Pediatric Emotional Distress Scale
PTSD Symptom Scale Interview for DSM-5
Books on trauma
Expand your knowledge with the latest research, perspectives, and solutions from occupational therapy practitioners.
Research and articles
Stay up to date on research for your practice with AOTA resources.
Societal statement on stress, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder
AOTA's statement on stress, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder recognizes that individuals, families, organizations, and populations witness and may be negatively influenced by stressful and traumatic experiences across the life course.
AOTA Continuing Education
Explore trauma-based instruction with AOTA's continuing education.
Occupational therapy’s role in trauma-informed schools
A trauma-informed approach distinct to occupational therapy: The TIC-OT Model
AOTA Specialty Conference: Mental health bundle (opening and closing session)
Supporting social and emotional wellbeing in K-12 bundle
Join the AOTA community
Want to engage more with your fellow occupational therapy practitioners on this topic? Take part in the AOTA special intersections and communities of practice.
Resources