NPR: Trauma Expert Prof. Paris Discusses Sesame Workshop’s Efforts to Talk to Kids About Opioids & Substance Use
An estimated two million children live with a parent with a substance use disorder. Rather than maintain a taboo around discussing opioids and other addictive substances with children, the Muppets at Sesame Street’s “Sesame Workshop” explain these complex issues in age-appropriate ways and help kids talk about their feelings. Prof. Ruth Paris from BU School of Social Work spoke to NPR about these efforts and how they reduce the impact of childhood trauma.
Excerpt from “Muppets from Sesame Workshop Help Explain Opioid Addiction to Young Children” by Scott Maucione
“‘The experience of having a parent with an opioid use disorder is traumatic for children,’ says Ruth Paris, an associate professor at Boston University School of Social Work who specializes in early childhood trauma.
Paris says early intervention can help reduce some of those effects of addiction on children. ‘Being able to address trauma in early childhood is imperative, and can make a difference in that child’s growth and development in terms of cognitive development, emotional development and social development.’”
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