The Nervous System, Trauma, and Communication: What Caregivers & Support Providers of System-Involved Youth Need to Know

Staci Neustadt, MS, CCC-SLP

Training Description

This training provides an overview of how the nervous system, trauma, chronic stress, and adversity impact communication, behavior, and engagement in system-involved youth. Participants will explore how nervous system states influence a youth’s ability to process language, connect with others, and participate in daily interactions. Emphasis is placed on understanding communication and behavior as stress-based responses rather than willful choices, highlighting relational and protective factors that support safety, regulation, and engagement for foster and system-involved youth.

Learning Objectives

• Identify at least 3 nervous system states and describe how each state impacts communication, behavior, and engagement in system-involved youth.

• Explain at least 4 ways trauma and chronic stress alter communication, emotional expression, and social connection in system-involved youth.