Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Trauma-Informed Care

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes regarding the impact of trauma on student learning and strategies for trauma-informed classroom management.

ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences)

Stressful or traumatic events defined by the CDC that occur in the first $18$ years of a life, categorized into abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.

ACEs Score

A numerical value where every reported exposure to a type of adverse childhood experience equals $1$ point; higher scores correlate with worse health outcomes.

Learning Brain

Located in the prefrontal cortex, this state allows for logic, language, focus, and the acquisition of new information through curiosity and exploration.

Survival Brain

Located in the amygdala, this state takes priority during chronic trauma, causing students to fight, flight, freeze, or shut down, making logical processing impossible.

Protective Factors

Supportive relationships and environments that increase the likelihood of a student overcoming adversity and healing from trauma.

Traumatic Grief

A disruption of baseline functioning that prevents the natural healing process, characterized by a non-linear journey of descent and ascent.

The Descent

A phase in the traumatic grief cycle where a person experiences a jagged loop of shock, numbness, anger, and deep detachment.

The Ascent

The ultimate goal of the grief process, moving from normal functioning to a meaningful new life at the individual's own pace.

2x10 Relationship Builder

A strategy where an educator spends $2$ minutes a day for $10$ consecutive days talking to a student about anything other than schoolwork or behavior.

Predictable Visual Agenda

A clear schedule posted on the board daily to provide consistency and help students feel safe by previewing changes before they happen.

Co-Regulation

A de-escalation method using a neutral tone, lowered voice, slow speech, and physical space to calm a student's nervous system.

Peace Corner

A voluntary classroom space equipped with tools like deep breathing or journaling to help a dysregulated student calm their survival brain.

Referral Indicators

Specific signs including sudden behavior changes, withdrawal, extreme anxiety, persistent sadness, or self-harm statements that necessitate professional intervention.