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<p>When we think of trauma, our minds often go to dramatic, life-altering events—the &#8220;big T&#8221; traumas like natural disasters, abuse, or violence. Yet, there’s another kind of trauma that often flies under the radar but can leave equally deep emotional scars: the small “t” traumas. These are the subtle, repeated experiences that shape our emotional [&hellip;]</p>

<p>If you’ve ever felt your heart sink after a slight criticism or found yourself spiraling over a seemingly minor rejection, you may be experiencing Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). For many adults with ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence, RSD is a hidden but deeply impactful challenge, affecting relationships, work, and overall mental well-being. Although not [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Trauma is an experience that can shake the very foundation of a person’s sense of safety, stability, and well-being. It’s not just about what happens to someone but how their body, mind, and emotions respond to it. Trauma can manifest from a single distressing event or unfold over time through prolonged exposure to difficult circumstances. [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Resilience is the capacity to bounce back from adversity, adapt to challenges, and overcome setbacks. For Children of Deaf Adults (Codas), resilience often becomes a defining characteristic, as many of us navigate the unique dynamics of growing up in families that bridge the Deaf and hearing worlds. Resilience isn’t something we’re born with—it’s a skill [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Language is at the heart of identity, connection, and culture. For many in the Deaf community and Codas (Children of Deaf Adults), bilingualism is a natural part of life, often encompassing a signed language like American Sign Language (ASL) and a spoken or written language such as English. However, not all individuals who grow up [&hellip;]</p>

<p>In the ideal family dynamic, parents nurture and children thrive. However, for many Children of Deaf Adults (Codas), the family structure takes on a different shape. Codas often find themselves navigating adult responsibilities at an early age, a phenomenon known as parentification. While some may adapt to these roles temporarily, others face long-term emotional and [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Suicide is a public health crisis that affects all communities, but Deaf individuals and Children of Deaf Adults (Codas) face unique challenges that elevate their risks. Despite these vulnerabilities, significant gaps exist in our understanding of suicidality within these populations. This blog explores what we know, what remains to be uncovered, and why we urgently [&hellip;]</p>

<p>IntroductionLanguage deprivation, the lack of accessible language for Deaf individuals, is not just a failure to provide a critical tool for communication; it has profound impacts on a person&#8217;s cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. Denying a Deaf child access to a full language, whether signed or spoken, is essentially denying them the opportunity to develop [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Emotional dysregulation is a challenge many individuals face, but for members of the Deaf community and their families, unique cultural and linguistic barriers can intensify this struggle. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a highly structured and evidence-based therapeutic approach, offers a powerful tool for addressing these challenges. Using the skills deficit framework, DBT can be adapted [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The social model of disability, developed in response to the medical model, argues that disability is not an inherent attribute of an individual but a result of the interaction between individuals and an environment that does not accommodate their needs. For Deaf individuals, this means their suffering often arises not from their deafness but from [&hellip;]</p>

<p>A Journey of Recognition and Healing Recently, I was asked a question that stayed with me: How do Codas (Children of Deaf Adults) know they need help? , I posed the same question to my brother. His response? He laughed and said: “Are they breathing? They’re Codas; of course, they need help.” While his words [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Trauma is a deeply personal experience that anyone can experience, but for members of the Deaf community, its effects often are compounded by unique cultural, linguistic, and systemic challenges. These challenges contribute to trauma responses that may differ in expression or origin from those of hearing individuals. This post examines 11 specific trauma responses observed [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been a cornerstone in understanding how early life trauma impacts health and well-being. The landmark ACE study, conducted by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente in the 1990s, surveyed over 17,000 participants to explore the long-term effects of childhood trauma. The findings were groundbreaking, revealing that the more ACEs an individual [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Australia’s Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of People with Disability sheds light on a deeply troubling reality: Deaf individuals face disproportionately high rates of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This March 2021 report, prepared by the Centre of Research Excellence in Disability and Health, offers a sobering insight into the challenges Deaf individuals [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Parentification occurs when a child assumes the role of a parent, taking on responsibilities that exceed their developmental stage and emotional readiness. In the Deaf community, the phenomenon of parentification can take on unique forms due to linguistic and cultural barriers, systemic discrimination, and intergenerational trauma. Codas (Children of Deaf Adults) are often thrust into [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Have you ever paused to consider the difference between emotions and feelings? While the two are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct processes within our minds and bodies. Understanding this distinction not only deepens self-awareness but also provides tools for emotional regulation and growth. Emotions: The Chemistry of Experience Emotions are automatic, physiological reactions to [&hellip;]</p>

<p>When we think about Codas (Children of Deaf Adults), society often views them through a singular lens: hearing individuals who grew up in Deaf households. This perspective, while partly true, oversimplifies the complexities of their lived experience. Codas exist at the intersection of privilege (hearing) and marginalization (identity)—a dynamic that is often misunderstood and rarely [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Shame is a powerful emotion that can deeply impact how we view ourselves and navigate our relationships. It often builds up over time, layered through past experiences and interactions, becoming a part of our self-concept that can be hard to shed. For those seeking to release these burdens, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) offers [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Discrimination isn’t always loud and overt—it often hides in the subtle, everyday interactions that many individuals face. The Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) is a tool designed to capture these experiences, shedding light on the ways subtle forms of bias impact mental health and well-being over time. If you&#8217;ve ever felt disrespected, excluded, or unfairly judged [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a proven therapeutic approach designed to help individuals with emotional dysregulation, interpersonal challenges, and distress tolerance. While DBT has proven effective across diverse populations, its potential benefits for the Deaf and Coda (Children of Deaf Adults) communities are particularly profound. These groups often face unique challenges stemming from language deprivation, [&hellip;]</p>