[joepegcamp]

Immersion therapy is good -- but before you start anything, talk to a trauma specialist. There is a risk of terrorizing the child even more. The specialist will know what to look for, how far to push, etc.

[kimbo1]

Originally Posted by SKL

I would try to re-introduce driving very gradually. Begin at a time of day when she's most likely to be able to calm herself. Start with a very short trip, even just up and down the driveway, and then give a gap for her to relax and have fun before you try again, with a slightly longer trip. Tell her exactly how long each trip will be. Maybe tell her she will get something nice at the end of the trip. Let her hold her "lovey" during the trip. When she says she is scared that an accident will happen, tell her that hardly ever happens, and remind her of many pleasant trips (pre-accident) when nothing bad happened. Be as matter-of-fact as possible.

If she has toy cars, maybe have her play with the cars and get some of the fears out of her system that way. Talk about/demonstrate all the things drivers can do to keep safe, and tell her you and dad will be doing all those things.

Another thing - is it possible that you also feel nervous about being in a car / driving now? If so, she is surely picking up on it, so consider what you may need to do to get past this.

I'd give her at least a few days or a week before turning to professional help. Just my opinion.

Good luck!

So much good advise from everyone on this thread. Thanks-you, everyone.

I just wanted to address a few things:

1. We went out a trip to the dr's (other issues we have w/ DS) today & she did better....but I still think we might need more focused attention for her to work through it completely.

2. Our older DD seems fine-although if we got into another accident now-I doubt she would be!

3. I drove today with very little problem (emotionally). I did panic a bit when a car trying to turn left on front of me looked like it might not stop! I wasn't breathing hard or anything, but my heart did beat faster for a bit.

I think I will have physical issues much longer than the emotional ones, though.

[guatparents2be]

Originally Posted by SKL

I would try to re-introduce driving very gradually. Begin at a time of day when she's most likely to be able to calm herself. Start with a very short trip, even just up and down the driveway, and then give a gap for her to relax and have fun before you try again, with a slightly longer trip. Tell her exactly how long each trip will be. Maybe tell her she will get something nice at the end of the trip. Let her hold her "lovey" during the trip. When she says she is scared that an accident will happen, tell her that hardly ever happens, and remind her of many pleasant trips (pre-accident) when nothing bad happened. Be as matter-of-fact as possible.

If she has toy cars, maybe have her play with the cars and get some of the fears out of her system that way. Talk about/demonstrate all the things drivers can do to keep safe, and tell her you and dad will be doing all those things.

Another thing - is it possible that you also feel nervous about being in a car / driving now? If so, she is surely picking up on it, so consider what you may need to do to get past this.

I'd give her at least a few days or a week before turning to professional help. Just my opinion.

Good luck!

I think all of these ideas are good but I'd disagree about professional help. Once a fear sets in it is sooo much harder to deal with once it becomes an auto pilot response. IMHO even if she does seem to settle down within a few days I'd take her in so it can get addressed now and doesn't come up at some future time after it's all tucked away in her subconscious.

just my 2 cents.

[kimbo1]

Originally Posted by guatparents2be

I think all of these ideas are good but I'd disagree about professional help. Once a fear sets in it is sooo much harder to deal with once it becomes an auto pilot response. IMHO even if she does seem to settle down within a few days I'd take her in so it can get addressed now and doesn't come up at some future time after it's all tucked away in her subconscious.

just my 2 cents.

This is kinda the way DH & I are leaning-especially since the accident was their fault, & the medical/psych stuff should be covered be their insurance, since they were at fault KWIM?

[gabriella_heart]

You really need to get everything done medically, physically and emotionally as soon as possible. There are windows with insurance that you have to be aware of. You are going to have to document everything and get the help you need. Of course do not sign off on any paperwork for at least two years. Things can come up months down the road related to a bad accident that you are not aware of.

I was in an accident and as a result had TMJ, MRI's, physical therapy, etc. I didn't settle until the two year mark when you have to- I sent the insurance all my bills and they paid them as well as giving me a monetary compensation for suffering. Because of that accident, it allowed us to have the chunk of money that we needed to adopt our beautiful daughter.

Just make sure you are all completely well before signing and get all of the help you need to get to that point!

[kimbo1]

She is not doing as well as I thought. We just got back from dinner out & picking up DH from work.......& she was very agitated in the dark.

I'm calling the pediatrician first thing tomorrow!

[kimbo1]

Things are still really bad. The pediatrician called me yesterday, but I missed the call! I will talk with him tomorrow (he was out of the office today) & then we will know how to proceede.

Please pray for us, as she is STILL a MESS & I am still in major pain!