61st Annual Meeting

October 18 - 25, 2014

Media Theatre 10 (open)

Hugo: Secrets, Broken Lives, and the Power of Objects

Traumatic experiences for children, such as the loss of a parent, can lead to significant delay or impediment of development in multiple psychosocial aspects. The movie, Hugo, offers a firsthand look at how loss can arrest development in a child. Hugo’s difficulty in dealing with his new life is beautifully illustrated through his resolve to bring back what he once had and how his attempts to move forward ultimately impact the lives of those around him. Attendees identify the potential developmental disruption that can result from sudden parental death; the factors that can provide resolution of grief in children; and the negative impact early life traumas can have on successful navigation of later life states. This knowledge leads to a better understanding of how to assist children in clinical settings.