Larkins Program
Introducing Larkins Program.
A program dedicated to teaching cruelty-free touch to children who have experienced trauma and/or abuse at the hands of adults.
A great resource for learning more: Can Touch Therapy Help Traumatized Children? | Liddle Kidz®
A traumatic event poses a threat to a child’s life or physical safety. This includes events that are frightening, dangerous, or violent.
For some kids, there may be no time for healing between traumatic events — their life is in an almost constant state of chronic stress and trauma.
Examples of childhood trauma include:
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse
- psychological and emotional abuse
- neglect
- natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, or fires
- homelessness
- racism
- serious accidents or life-threatening illness
- violent loss of a loved one
- sexual exploitation
- refugee and war experiences
- community and school violence
- witnessing or experiencing family or partner violence
- military stressors like loss, injury, or parental deployment
How childhood trauma might affect you:
Childhood trauma affects each person differently. However, there are some common signs and symptoms to watch out for in both kids and adults.
In preschool and elementary-age children:
- separation anxiety
- becoming anxious and fearful
- difficulty sleeping and increase in nightmares
- crying or acting out
- decrease in appetite
- moodiness
- increased aggression and anger
Teens can experience all of the signs mentioned above, plus the following:
- irritability
- withdrawal from social activities
- academic problems
- self-blame for the event (guilt and shame)
- feeling depressed
- difficulty concentrating
- eating disorders and other self-harm behaviors
- increase in behaviors like sexual activity and alcohol or drug use
In adults, unresolved childhood trauma can take on many forms. For example, female adults who experience sexual abuse as a child or teen often show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), distorted self-perception, shame, fear, guilt, self-blame, humiliation, and chronic physical pain, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Adults dealing with PTSD from childhood trauma can struggle in their jobs, interpersonal relationships, and with their own mental health.
Here are some emotional, physical, and behavioral signs to be aware of:
- anxiety
- depression
- panic attacks
- poor concentration
- fatigue
- impulsiveness
- problems with sleep
- chronic health conditions
- compulsion
- self-harm
- chronic stress and inflammation
- isolation
- eating disorders
- suicidal ideation
How Larkin’s Program can help
Learning appropriate touch from adults is key in differentiating right and wrong. When we experience negative touch, we begin to think it’s normal. Abusive relationships become normal and acceptable. It’s my hope to bring enlightenment to children who have endured this type of behavior at the hands of those whom they were dependent upon in a way that is reassuring and leads to building a child’s self-esteem and confidence.
How it works
Each month, three children will be given three 30-minute sessions at BeYu llc. A parent or guardian must be always present in the room. Children will remain fully clothed, although they are welcome to remove their shoes.
The child will lead the session, picking what they would like. Options are a story that is acted out on the arms, hands, back, legs, feet and, in specific cases, on the tummy. I follow the Liddle Kidz Foundation format with pediatric massage and touch therapy.
I will happily work along with therapists and medical personnel. Paperwork should be completed before the first appointment which will give me time to review each child before meeting.
Appointments can be scheduled each time to fit the individual child needs. The first session might not include any touch, as the child decides, but will still be considered a session. If a child falls asleep, the session will end. I will also watch for cues that tell if a child is overwhelmed and adjust accordingly.
To nominate a child for therapy, please email me their name, parent/guardian name and contact information.