Online decision aid for developmental trauma
Solentra wants to help frontline caregivers prevent, detect and address developmental trauma sooner in children with refugee backgrounds. To this end, we are developing an online decision aid together with the Thomas More University College of Applied Sciences and Zenjoy.
Children with a refugee background are at higher risk of developmental trauma. Yet many social workers find it difficult to distinguish trauma from a normal stress reaction to migration. Language barriers or cultural differences in symptoms can lead to both incorrect diagnoses and late detection.
Our online decision aid therefore supports frontline actors in recognising and addressing developmental trauma. “The solution offered by this project is unique,” says Benji Jame, clinical psychologist at Solentra. “Combining the screening of developmental trauma in a migration context with training is unprecedented in Flanders.”
“Moreover, by providing online and offline support simultaneously, we save time and resources in the mental health sector. The time when only specialised service providers had to be able to offer appropriate support to people with a refugee and migration background is long gone,” Jame concludes.
How does it work?
Support workers are asked a series of questions about their client that help them assess the situation correctly and adopt a culturally sensitive approach. Is the family’s environment stable? Are they going through an asylum procedure? What does their network look like? Based on the answers, the decision aid then formulates a recommendation.
The decision aid also has a strong educational goal. Via numerous information blocks and tips, the social worker learns about developmental trauma, migration, acculturation, mourning, culture-specific manifestations of trauma symptoms … This allows them to better assess what support they can offer themselves and when referral is required.
“The online decision aid fits nicely with our vision of technology that emphasises selective and thoughtful use,” says Tom Van Daele, research leader of Psychology and Technology at Thomas More University College. “Those who use the tool frequently, internalise the underlying knowledge and therefore will rely on the decision aid less and less in the long run. We think that’s an excellent starting point!”
Scaling up in 2025
A thorough literature study – together with Solentra’s extensive practical experience – underlies the content in the decision aid. The needs and expectations of frontline actors were also surveyed beforehand.
A first version will be tested by users of ELZ Maasland to allow fur further fine-tuning of the tool before it will be scaled up in 2025.
The development of the online decision aid is part of the OverHoop project, an initiative of Flemish Minister of Welfare, Public Health and Family Hilde Crevits to prevent developmental trauma in children. The project is managed by the King Baudouin Foundation.
