Trauma-Informed Care

A trauma sensitive school utilizes trauma-informed care to provide a safe and respectful environment that enables students and staff to build caring relationships with peers, self-regulate and understand their emotions and behaviors, and succeed academically and professionally, while supporting their physical health and well-being.

What is Trauma?

In general, trauma can be defined as a psychological, emotional response to an event or an experience that is deeply distressing or disturbing. When loosely applied, this trauma definition can refer to something upsetting, such as being involved in an accident, having an illness or injury, losing a loved one, or going through a divorce. However, it can also encompass the far extreme and include experiences that are severely damaging, such as rape or torture. (From The Center for Anxiety Disorders)

Early childhood trauma generally refers to the traumatic experiences that occur to children aged 0-6. Because infants' and young children's reactions may be different from older children's, and because they may not be able to verbalize their reactions to threatening or dangerous events, many people assume that young age protects children from the impact of traumatic experiences. A growing body of research has established that young children may be affected by events that threaten their safety or the safety of their parents/caregivers, and their symptoms have been well documented. These traumas can be the result of intentional violence—such as child physical or sexual abuse, or domestic violence—or the result of natural disaster, accidents, or war. Young children also may experience traumatic stress in response to painful medical procedures or the sudden loss of a parent/caregiver. (From The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)

Trauma Symptoms

Often, shock and denial are typical reactions to a traumatic event. Over time, these emotional responses may fade, but a survivor may also experience reactions long-term. These can include:

• Anger
• Persistent feelings of sadness and despair
• Flashbacks
• Unpredictable emotions
• Physical symptoms, such as nausea and headaches
• Intense feelings of guilt, as if they are somehow responsible for the event
• An altered sense of shame
• Feelings of isolation and hopelessness

(From The Center for Anxiety Disorders)

The Importance of Relationship

The good news is that while Trauma cannot be undone, we know that healing can occur. Trauma often happens within the context of relationships but the healing also comes from relationships. Through relationship and building resiliency, we can lessen the negative impacts of trauma.

I have a strong emphasis on relationship with every student. We know that learning and high levels of success cannot occur without a relationship as the foundation. We know that if you cannot reach them, you cannot teach them. Often times, the more a child resists a relationship, the more they need it. This is why it is our goal to build a relationship and champion for every child that enters our school.

Trauma-Informed Discipline Practices

Utilizing trauma-informed discipline practices means that discipline is not something we do to children, it is something we develop within them. This happens through relationships. This practice is aligned with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) including Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), Responsive Classroom, Second Step Skills for Social and Emotional Development, and Restorative Practices. This practice changes our focus from "What is wrong with this child?" to "What happened to this child and what can we do to support them?"

Resources:

• Why Trauma-Sensitive Schools?
• ACES, Trauma, and Resilience Website
• Dr. Nadine Burke Harris Ted Talk on ACES
• Childhood Traumatic Grief Resources
• Rita Pierson Ted Talk on the Importance of Relationship (a personal favorite!)