Understand
The Big Ideas
Embedded Files
Trauma is a complex concept with no simple definitions. We know that experiencing trauma and stress has a profound and lasting impact on students' learning . Understanding what trauma is and it's effects is the start of a Trauma-informed lens. Living in Aotearoa New Zealand it is important for us to have a bicultural view of trauma.
By understanding you will develop your own definitions. There is a reflection sheet that can be printed out at the bottom of this page.
Here I introduce the Big Idea of Understanding Trauma.
What happened to you?
Reading Dr Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey's book was the start of my Trauma journey and completely changed my understanding. This conversation is about their book. They explore the science and stories behind childhood trauma.
Trauma informed practice encourages teachers to change how they think about a student's behaviour from "what is wrong with you"to considering "what has happened to you".
Traumatic events are experienced individually or collectively. The context within which the event takes place has implications for how individuals respond and the types of support or services they should receive.
Trauma occurs at various levels:
micro (individual, family),
mezzo (groups), and
macro (organizations/ community).
It is essential to acknowledge that these levels are interconnected and contribute to trauma’s collective impact. At the community level, systemic causes of trauma sustain its likelihood and the perpetuation of its effects. Historical trauma, defined as collective complex trauma inflicted on a group of people who share a specific identity or affiliation, is an example of community-level trauma.
(SAMHSA , 2023)
Understanding Trauma in Aotearoa/New Zealand
These resources will help to develop a a bicultural view of trauma and concepts based in Te Ao Māori.
Te Whare o Oro
Te Whare o Oro is a framework based on te ao Māori concepts that represents how the brain develops and works. This framework incorporates Bruce Perry’s neuro-sequential model of neurodevelopment. Te Whare Tapa Whā and Ngā Pou o te Wharenui.
Te-Whare-o-Oro-20231116 (3).pdfThe Tohu Framework
The TOHU framework has been developed by Māori psychologists and mātauranga Māori specialists Dr Andre McLachlan and Hera Love, this framework provides a holistic way to interpret tohu and promote healing from patu ngākau (psychological and spiritual trauma).
The TOHU framework offers a powerful approach to understanding and addressing trauma through the lens of Māori knowledge and practices. Tohu (signs) help guide personal, eco-environmental, and spiritual wellbeing.
Te Reo Māori Trauma
TRAUMA-LIT-REVIEW-v10.pdfThere is no clear definition of te reo Māori language trauma in existing literature. This report aims to fill that gap by exploring the question: What is te reo Māori or Māori language trauma? This literature review seeks to clarify these concepts and provide a working definition of te reo Māori trauma.
Historical Trauma
Dr Leonie Pihema is a leading kaupapa Māori educator and researcher. In this webinar she outlines
Definitions of historical and colonial trauma
Barriers that affect Māori
Māori approaches that can help heal historical trauma
Current mahi in this area
Effects of Trauma
TOAH-NNESTT provides this educational video as a short simple introduction to trauma. It discusses different responses to trauma caused by the brain’s ‘alarm system’ during and following traumatic experiences as valid and normal. Responses and feelings are influenced by many factors, which can also impact help-seeking behaviour. Seeking support and self-care strategies can help to relax the brain’s alarm system and kickstart the healing journey.
Brain Developement and the Brain
This animation was developed by Professor Eamon McCrory . It is a general introduction to what happens in the brain after children face traumatic experiences in childhood, like abuse and neglect.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Here are resources to help you develop an understanding of ACEs.
Adverse-Childhood-Experiences-Understanding-their-effects-Jan-2022 (2).pdfKeryn O'Neil from the Brainwave Trust explores in this article key findings about Adverse Childhood Experiences. It is written for those working with tamariki and rangatahi.
Understanding ACEs and what they are.
This video outlines how ACEs impact on the body, brain and behaviour.
pep23-06-05-005.pdfThis practical guide updates and expands the discussion presented in SAMHSA's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach Resource from 2014. The primary goal of this guide is to provide implementation strategies across multiple domains based on the original publication.
Reflection Sheet
Understanding Reflection Sheet.pdfPage updated
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