Play...The Trauma Informed Way! - 2026 LIGHTNING PASS

This presentation will review the neurobiological underpinnings of pediatric medical trauma, including its presentation and impact on development and coping. The critical role of therapeutic play in facilitating trauma responsive care, and the need to prioritize and strengthen practice of this competency, will be explored through case examples and discussion.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain in depth understanding of trauma (i.e. PTSD, pediatric medical trauma, pediatric medical stress, etc.) and its neurobiological underpinnings, as well as identifying trauma/stress responses and learning of the impact of trauma and toxic stress, the developmental presentation of trauma, and how trauma affects play behaviors
• Articulate understanding of the concept of “trauma informed care” and its direct relationship to and reliance on therapeutic play
• Describe the principles of how child life specialists can effectively facilitate trauma responsive therapeutic play (i.e., co-regulation, relationship based and individualized approach, attunement, assessment, focused intent, etc)
• Identify play modalities, interventions, strategies, etc. to create trauma informed play experiences that promote self-expression and healing
• Increase learning on how to foster a play environment that is trauma responsive

Suggested Domain:  Intervention

Credits: 1.5

Speakers

Kimberly Ong, CCLS, MS, CIMI - UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital

Chloe Kelleher, CCLS, MA - UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital

Please note: All webinar content and its certificate will expire on June 9, 2029, regardless of when it is purchased, accessed, or completed. At that point, the contents will no longer be available in any form, including as an archive or as a PDU certificate. It is the responsibility of the learner to complete the contents and download and save the certificate for their records prior to June 9, 2029.