Trauma- An experience or prolonged experiences, and/or a threat or perceived threat to one’s wellbeing
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Signs of trauma- Reduced sense of efficacy, Concentration and focus problems, Apathy and emotional numbness, Isolation and withdraw, Exhaustion
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Types of trauma- acute, complex, crossover, secondary
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Acute trauma- -Single, overhwhelming event such as rape, death, or natural disaster
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Complex trauma- Extended exposure to traumatizing situations such as prolonged exposure to violence or bullying, profound neglect, series of home removals
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Crossover trauma- Single traumatic event that is devastating enough to have long-lasting effects such as a mass casualty school shooting, car accident, etc
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Secondary trauma- Process through which one’s own experience becomes transformed through engagement with another individual’s trauma
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Mental health issues linked to trauma- separation anxiety, social anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, oppositional/aggressive behaviors
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Impact of trauma on learning- Unable to access their critical thinking skills for problem based learning, Unable to trust their environment, Unable to self regulate, focus, learn from past experiences, or control impulses, Difficulty forming/ keeping relationships, engage in unhealthy relationships, isolate themselves
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Wrist- spinal cord
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Palm- brain stem
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Thumb- limbic system
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Fingers- cerebral cortex
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Fingertips- prefrontal cortex
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8 ACEs- substance abuse in the home, parental separation or divorce, mental illness in the home, witnessing domestic violence, suicidal household member, death of a parent or loved one, parental incarceration, experience of abuse (psychological, physical, or sexual) or neglect (emotional or physical)
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Importance of taking this course- -can help children when they become anxious or disruptive, your relationship will strengthen, and that rapport can make your interventions more successful,When you have the trust of a student who exhibits challenging behavior, you know how to reach them, how to communicate with them and what will help them calm down.
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Fundamental truths about trauma
(1) our capacity to destroy one another is matched by our capacity to heal one another. Restoring relationships and community is central to restoring well-being.
(2) language gives us the power to change ourselves and others by communicating our experiences, helping us to define what we know, and finding a common sense of meaning.
(3) we have the ability to regulate our own physiology, including some of the so-called involuntary functions of the body and brain, through such basic activities as breathing, moving and touching; and
(4) we can change social conditions to create environments in which children and adults can feel safe and where they can survive.
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How ACEs impact readiness to learn- -troubles in attendance, behavior, and coursework
higher ACE score = higher scholastic struggle
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How trauma is toxic to the brain- -brain shifts its operation from development to stress response
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Who is trauma most prevalent amongst- no one
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What responses does our brain switch to in stress- fight, flight, freeze
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Where is the upstairs brain- prefrontal cortex
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Where is the downstairs brain- limbic system
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What is needed for students to regulate their emotions- safe environment
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Why is self awareness beneficial as an educator, what does it potentially avoid- burnout
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Components of self care- love, gratitude, competence, health