What is Trauma?
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The term trauma originates from the Greek word meaning “wound” (Merriam-Webster, 2025), implying that any wound, whether physical or emotional, requires a process of healing and recovery. While physical trauma often presents with visible signs, emotional trauma is more complex and less easily recognized.
Trauma can significantly affect cognitive processes, including thinking, memory, attention, and concentration, making it harder for individuals to absorb information and remain focused (CAMH, 2012, as cited in RNAO, 2017).
** Reflective Prompt
** Reflective Prompt
Trauma-informed is more than a buzzword; it demands intentionality and ongoing commitment.
As a reflective prompt, please share in the Unit 3 (Week 9) Forum what comes to mind when you hear “trauma-informed.”
“BEING TRAUMA-INFORMED IS AN ACT OF SCIENCE-BASED COMPASSION”
(Faye, 2024)
Video 1. Trauma-Informed Care Champions: From Treaters to Healers
(Center for Healthcare Strategies, 2018)
Types of Trauma & Behavioral Responses
Single Incident Trauma
Sudden events (e.g., accident, assault, loss)
Complex/Repetitive Trauma
Ongoing abuse, violence, betrayal
Developmental Trauma
Early life trauma disrupts attachment and growth
Intergenerational Trauma
Passed through family coping patterns
Historical Trauma
Collective trauma from colonization, genocide, and slavery
Emotional
Anxiety, shame, numbness, irritability, flashbacks
Cognitive
Intrusive thoughts, memory gaps, dissociation
Behavioral
Hypervigilance, withdrawal, aggression, avoidance
Physical
Chronic pain, GI issues, headaches, and immune dysfunction
Relational
Difficulty trusting, regulating emotions, and maintaining safety
(BC Provincial Mental Health and Substance Use Planning Council, 2013)
Trauma overwhelms coping capacity and alters emotional, cognitive, and physical regulation across the lifespan.
(BC Provincial Mental Health and Substance Use Planning Council, 2013)
Trauma Types
Figure 1. Big T, Litte t
Note. This information was compiled from Pink, 2024.
Trauma Specific
Vs.
Trauma Informed
Figure 2. Trauma Specific Vs. Trauma-Informed
Note. This information was compiled from Pink, 2024; The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2014.
How Does Trauma Affect Students' Learning Behaviors?
(McLeod, 2018)
Cognitive & Academic Functioning
Trouble focusing, remembering, and organizing tasks
Slower information processing and learning
Academic performance may decline under stress (Rosa et al., 2023)
Emotional & Behavioral Regulation
Difficulty managing emotions
Behavioral outbursts or withdrawal in class
Emotional triggers can interfere with participation (Wartenweiler, 2017)
Social & Educational Integration
Trouble trusting peers or instructors
Limited sense of belonging in learning spaces
Challenges in group or collaborative learning (Wilson et al., 2024)
Learning Readiness & Engagement
Low concentration and motivation to start tasks
Inconsistent attendance or participation
Higher risk of burnout or dropout (Henshaw, 2022)
Sense of Self & Motivation to Learn
Low confidence in one's learning ability
Feelings of shame or failure linked to past experiences
Reduced drive to complete learning goals (Simmen-Janevska et al., 2012)
Institutional & Environmental Impacts
Unsupportive systems can reinforce stress and exclusion
Safe, predictable environments promote learning recovery
Faculty awareness and trauma-informed policies reduce barriers (Henshaw, 2022)
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