Taffy and the Invisible Magic Bandage #2

Problem(s) Addressed:
A child displaying symptoms consistent with undisclosed trauma and/or abuse.

Children 12 and under: particularly effective for very young children. For a child who has been threatened, this story, in combination with others, seems to be most effective when recorded on audio tape; this allows the child to hear the stories repeatedly. The audio tape can begin with empowering stories such as, “The Hero,” “The Boy Who had to Catch a Dragon” and “The Lion in the Hole” using the child’s name in these three stories. Make the story appropriate for the child’s sex, by changing the story character and pronouns. Then add “Rags/Taffy,” and stories such as, “The Little Fox,” “The Prickly Burr,” “The Burned Tree” and “The Big War.”

Let the family know that it doesn't matter if the child seems to be paying attention to the tape; the messages are heard by the wise part of the child, even when he/she is not paying conscious attention. (See “Letter to Parents”, Appendix D). When telling this story in therapy, have a large stuffed dog1 and a large bandage available. At the point in the story where Rags/Taffy gets an invisible magic bandage on his/her mouth, have the child put the bandage on the dog’s mouth. When Rags/Taffy pulls the invisible magic bandage off his/her mouth, have the child do the same to the dog.


If this story agitates the child, it can mean that he/she has had an undisclosed traumatic experience. Therefore, have the family play the tape after the child has fallen asleep for several nights. Once the child discloses what is bothering them, the agitation and dislike of the stories usually disappears.

MESSAGE
The power of a child is to tell the truth and keep telling the truth about what has been bothering him/her to adults who are powerful and can protect children. (Note description of symbols and metaphors in this story in “Understanding the Use of Therapeutic Stories” in the beginning of this book)

Symbols and Metaphors:

• Nighttime activities (chase bugs, etc.): not afraid of dark
• Journey into the deep woods: any period during which the child was traumatized
• Invisible magic bandage: any threat or reason that the child is silenced
• Disappear: any threat or negative consequence of disclosing a traumatic experience
• Thorn: pain of silence
• Swim: cope appropriately with feelings
• Bandage "hurt" as it was removed: pain and fear that can result when a traumatic experience is disclosed
  

Elements of the Story That Can be Changed:
The constellation of the family can be changed, the symptoms that the child is having. The people who question the puppy (If a family member is suspected as abusing the child, use “someone” or “teacher” or “friend” instead of family).

Note:
This story was written for a four-year-old boy who appeared to have been threatened by his father not to disclose the abuse which occurred during visitations. The child was read the story and the story was audio taped at the same time. Shortly after leaving that therapy session, he began to disclose the abuse to his mother. She played the story to him many times, as I had recommended, and he continued to disclose very traumatic and extensive sexual and physical abuse. Note that the story does not give specific details which would lead a child to disclose one type of abuse over another. Rags/Taffy has been found to be an effective means to encourage young children to disclose the source of their symptoms.

Symptoms of being traumatized by a variety of experiences can look very similar. It is important to remember that a child can experience an event as very traumatizing when an adult would have little reaction to the same experience. For example, one child disclosed that a classroom bully was calling him "Luke, the Puke" and tearing up his papers in class. The symptoms ceased when this problem was handled.

Disclosure stories give a therapist an addition technique in helping child deal with traumatic experiences.