Elk County Toastmasters

Elk County Toastmasters listened to a presentation on “Complex Trauma” during a recent meeting.

The speech was given by the newest member of the club, Shanda Kelsch, certified youth parent and family coach.

The club reported that “It was crystal clear from her arrival at Toastmasters that Shanda Kelsch is extraordinarily passionate about the fate of children being raised in desperate circumstances.”

According to Kelsch, child abuse exists in many forms that are often overlooked — and often hidden. Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional. It accumulates to create a toxic, traumatic and dangerous emotional state for a child that can be acted out in a variety of ways.

Trauma often occurs at a time when young children’s brains are not fully developed and can change the structure of the brain, resulting in deficits in verbal memory and dissociative symptoms that can and will carry on into adulthood. Symptoms of childhood trauma can include nightmares, emotional reactions, suspicion of adults and disrespect to authority figures. They may suffer from attention deficit and irritability.

Kelsch suggested that, instead of asking a suffering child “What is wrong with you?,” a person should ask, “What has happened to you?”

She reminded her audience that if a child chooses to disclose abuse, believe them. That person may be the only person they ever try to tell.

Elk County Toastmasters mission is to assist individuals to further their career and life mission through the art of public speaking. The group focuses on how to design and deliver speeches that educate, persuade and entertain their listeners — and make a difference.