Resources for Supporting Students with Trauma

1. Resources for Supporting Students with Trauma • Collaborative Alternate Community Presentation

2. Shift in practice - from: “What’s wrong with this person?” to “What happened to this person?” • 76 % of Canadian adults report some form of trauma exposure in their lifetime • 9.2% meet the criteria for PTSD

3. Factors Influencing a Trauma Response • Trauma is not just the event itself but rather a response to a stressful experience in which a person’s ability to cope is undermined. Every traumatic experience is different, and each child’s response depends on his or her coping skills, resources and on the context and circumstances in which the stressful event occurs.

4. Neurobiologist Dr. Bruce Perry and his Colleagues at the Child Trauma Academy Explain: • The most developed areas of a child’s brain are the ones used most frequently. When children live in a persistent state of fear the areas of their brains controlling the fear response can become overdeveloped. “States” can become “Traits” • The areas of the brain active in fearful states are different from these active in calm states AND it is predominately the areas active in calm states that are required for academic learning. • The term “plasticity” explains the environment’s enormous influence on the growing child’s developing brian. Our experiences and relationships shape the neuropathways in our brains.

5. Impact of Trauma on Learning • affect dysregulation • shame • reduced cognitive capacity • difficulties with memory • language delays • need for control • attachment difficulties • poor peer relationships • unstable living situations

6. The Role of Schools • Helping children regulate emotions • Creating safe, predictable school environments • Managing behaviour and setting limits • Helping students have a sense of choice and control • Build on strengths • Understand the connection between behaviour and emotion • Avoid labels • Foster Hope

10. Supportive Interventions For Students For Parents and Staff www.mindcheck.ca www.heretohelp.bc.ca www.youthinbc.com E.P.I. www.psychosissucks.ca Telephone Helpline(s) Youth Clinic Family Doctor Community Mental Health Community Counselling Youth Crisis Response FORCE www.forcesociety.com Institute of Families www.instituteoffamilies.ca www.humanstress.ca Connect Parenting Group www.heretohelp.bc.ca www.keltymentalhelath.ca www.teenmentalhealth.org http://acestudy.org www.childtrauma.org www.drdansiegel.com www.massadvocates.org/documents/HTCL_9-09.pdf www.ccyp.vic.gov.au/childsafetycommissioner/downloads/calmer_classrooms.pdf http://bccewh.bc.ca/publications-resources/documents/TIP-Guide-May2013.pdf

12. What we all can do Know the signs and symptoms of emotional distress and trauma When you see signs and symptoms, suspend judgment and ask the student what is going on. Try to see the perspective of the student Respond with empathy to their emotional concerns Connect by listening, validating what you hear and encouraging connections with other supports. Let them know you are there for them but expand their circle of support. Change is often a long and difficult process look for the small improvements and steps in the right direction Consult discreetly with a trusted colleague, counsellor or administrator. It is natural to want process these situations with others and to ensure that we have responded in an appropriate way

13. Hope http://www.ted.com/talks/eleanor_longden_the_voices_in_my_head.html