Reason 3: Trauma Informed
Trauma is a response to an overwhelming experience or stressful situation. Traumatic experiences during childhood can include, but are not limited to, personally experiencing: physical & sexual abuse, living in a violent community, homelessness, chronic bullying, or undergoing multiple invasive surgeries. One does not have to be a direct target of a traumatic experience in order to experience trauma. Such experiences like witnessing a parent being abused, living in a home with a caregiver who has substance abuse or mental health issues, or having a parent that is traumatized by recent combat can also cause trauma. All of these experiences, and more, are frequently referred to as adverse childhood experiences.
Conducted over the last 15 years, the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) has found the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences to be higher than was expected at the outset. Notably, the study’s research has shown that 68 percent of children have experienced a traumatic event by age 16 and over 50 percent of adults report having experienced at least one traumatic event. Common Signs and ExamplesWhat does apathy or being withdrawn as a result of trauma look like? Taken from Helping Traumatized Children Learn website, the following is a classic student and teacher’s description of what student apathy that is a result of trauma looks like from their perspective:
Student: "The teachers tell me I’m smart. They say I’m just not trying. I find myself staring out the window during class. Next thing I know two weeks have passed and I have failed yet another algebra or biology test. I really try to listen to what the teacher is saying. Sometimes I can see her mouth moving but can’t hear a thing. They say I have potential but that I am slipping out of reach. I wish I could focus and soak in the material, but I just can’t. I wish they understood how hard it is." Teacher: "Every year, there are a few students in my 6th grade class I just can’t reach no matter what I try. Sometimes, a student’s disruptive behavior keeps him sitting in the principal’s office more than at his desk. Other times, a student can’t focus on one thing for more than 30 seconds. The whole year might go by without one homework assignment turned in…" Events that cause childhood trauma impact a student’s:
Students impacted by traumatic experiences may present behaviors that are aggressive, defiant, disagreeable, or appear like they don’t care or are apathetic to learning. These displaying behaviors are generally perceived as anti-social and anti-learning and result in removal from or restrictions within the learning environment. Which can result in the effects of other learning challenges being exacerbated, learning time being lost or limited, and reinforcing a student’s negative sense of self. Potential Interventions
In appearance, students who are withdrawn from learning because of underlying traumatic experiences, may resemble students that are withdrawn or apathetic for other reasons. Although the behavior is similar, approaches to supporting the student are different. Creative teaching and engaging curriculum holds much less meaning to a student experiencing adverse effects of trauma. Moreover, on many occasions, a teacher will not know affirmatively if a student has experienced trauma, therefore limiting the support a teacher might otherwise provide. Sourced directly from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network the following are suggestions with an explanation to help educators in the classroom provide student support for traumatized students.
b. Allow additional time to complete assignments c. Give permission to leave class to go to a designated adult (such as a counselor or school nurse) if feelings become overwhelming d. Provide additional support for organizing and remembering assignments" Additional Trauma Informed ResourcesHelping Traumatized Children Learn
The Trauma and Learning Initiative’s website provides an assortment of resources related to helping traumatized children learn, such as, teaching and learning resources, up-to-date research, professional development, advocacy and policy tips, access to learning networks, and downloadable guides. Addressing Trauma in Schools: An Online Resource An online manual geared towards school social workers described as "a comprehensive evidence-based resource that explains the impact of trauma on learning, describes the role of the school in supporting traumatized children, and provides a framework to address the issue in policy and practice." Accessible through Seattle University's Proquest by clicking on the title above. Childhood Trauma Toolkit for Educators An online toolkit (downloadable .pdf), compiled by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, provides information for the classroom educator, including: facts about trauma, suggestions for the classroom, outline of psychological and behavioral impact of trauma by grade level, and information for parents and caregivers. |