Understanding and responding to children in distress

Supporting children in distress can pose particular challenges for providers, families, and first responders, whether delivering emergency medical services, responding to a disaster, or providing daily care. Children have unique physical, developmental, medical, and behavioral health needs that may be difficult to address. These challenges can bring up emotions in individuals who are supporting children, which may interfere with their information processing and decision-making abilities. Providers have reported that their own emotional responses, lack of experience working with kids, and the emotions of family members can all negatively impact the quality of care they are able to provide while working with children in distress.

The resource kit includes the Engage-Calm-Distract responder manual and the Pediatric Emotional Distress Reference System (PEDRS) quick reference guide. 

Engage-Calm-Distract

The Engage-Calm-Distract (ECD) manual provides foundational material on what to expect when children are in distress and information about developmentally appropriate strategies for engaging, calming, and distracting children and their caregivers during times of crisis. The ECD manual also includes information on how those who respond to a crisis or disaster can take care of themselves, use a trauma-informed approach, and understand their own capacity for what might cause a higher level of discomfort. The most recent version now includes information on access and functional needs and ways to support those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.