"I know why it happened," said 5-year-old Hannah, explaining
the terrorist attacks. "It's because they didn't know our names."
SINCE THE terrorist attacks, I find myself focusing more on the hidden
agenda and working in the metaphors of children's communication, seeking to
understand their perceptions about the terrorist attacks as well as my own.
A DAY IN PEDIATRIC PRACTICE IN THE TIME OF TERRORISM
Elena, 16 years old and the first patient of the day, presents with
"pounding heartbeat." As we talk, it becomes clear that her palpitations likely
express her anxiety about the terrorist attacks. Her worried father thinks
her palpitations occurred because she didn't eat breakfast. As we talk about
the feelings around the attacks, she visibly relaxes and her father listens
intently. The cardiac workup is negative and the palpitations do not recur.
After a 3-year-old well-child visit, Sarah's mother shares that Sarah
has seemed anxious and worried since the terrorist attacks. We talk further.
I kneel . . . [Full Text of this Article]
LISTENING FOR THE UNSPOKEN
