Trauma- An experience or prolonged experiences, and/or a threat or perceived threat to one’s wellbeing

Signs of trauma- Reduced sense of efficacy, Concentration and focus problems, Apathy and emotional numbness, Isolation and withdraw, Exhaustion

Types of trauma- acute, complex, crossover, secondary

Acute trauma- -Single, overhwhelming event such as rape, death, or natural disaster

Complex trauma- Extended exposure to traumatizing situations such as prolonged exposure to violence or bullying, profound neglect, series of home removals

Crossover trauma- Single traumatic event that is devastating enough to have long-lasting effects such as a mass casualty school shooting, car accident, etc

Secondary trauma- Process through which one’s own experience becomes transformed through engagement with another individual’s trauma

Mental health issues linked to trauma- separation anxiety, social anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, oppositional/aggressive behaviors

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

Wrist- spinal cord

Palm- brain stem

Thumb- limbic system

Fingers- cerebral cortex

Fingertips- prefrontal cortex

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)

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.

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.

How ACEs impact readiness to learn- -troubles in attendance, behavior, and coursework

higher ACE score = higher scholastic struggle

How trauma is toxic to the brain- -brain shifts its operation from development to stress response

Who is trauma most prevalent amongst- no one

What responses does our brain switch to in stress- fight, flight, freeze

Where is the upstairs brain- prefrontal cortex

Where is the downstairs brain- limbic system

What is needed for students to regulate their emotions- safe environment

Why is self awareness beneficial as an educator, what does it potentially avoid- burnout

Components of self care- love, gratitude, competence, health