Confabulation: "Honest Lying"

When things move quickly for the brain and something happens, the perspective of the person is often that "it wasn't me."  Confabulation is when someone unknowingly makes up false memories or information that they believe to be true. This completely makes sense when we think of working memory challenges, as short term memory can be a struggle.  We must adjust our expectations and have a response ready that maintains connection and does not create stress.  Try not to ask the child to explain things to you in the moment, especially if it is regarding a behavior. Unlike lying, the person doesn't intend to deceive; they genuinely think the false memories are real.  

Trauma and the Nervous System - from the Polyvagal Institute

This video is a basic introduction to the polyvagal view of how trauma and chronic stress impact our nervous system.  Polyvagal theory explains how our nervous system affects our social behavior and emotions. It has three parts: fight or flight, rest and digest, and social engagement. These responses depend on how safe we feel. Understanding this helps us handle emotions, stress, and relationships better.