Recognizing Signs of Trauma in Your Students
Recognizing Signs of Trauma in Your Classroom
As educators knowing the signs of trauma can be helpful to shift our mindsets from seeing students’ problem behavior as part of their character to seeing it as a coping mechanism.
It's easy to miss. Almost every day students complain about physical ailments or have difficulty focusing. Did you know that these are signs of trauma?
As educators knowing the signs of trauma can be helpful to shift our mindsets from seeing students’ problem behavior as part of their character to seeing it as a coping mechanism. This reframing will not only increase your empathy and lower reactivity, but it will help you respond appropriately to difficult classroom behavior.
Signs of Trauma:
Although your students may exhibit signs that they have experienced trauma, you will likely never be certain. Though it’s not your job to be your students’ therapist, as mandated reporters it is your job to know the signs of trauma and make informed decisions. The National Association of School Psychologists defines signs of trauma as:
Disruption or withdrawal from peer relationships
General lack of energy or lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Strained family relationships
Decline in school performance, school avoidance, or difficulty concentrating
Physical complaints with no apparent cause
Threats of harm to self or others
Repeated nightmares and reporting strong fears of death and violence
Repetitive play reenacting the traumatic events
Sleeping (difficulty falling or staying asleep) and eating disturbances
Increased arousal, agitation, irritability, aggressiveness
Regression in behavior (thumb-sucking, bedwetting, clinginess, fear of the dark)
Respond by Creating Safety:
Creating a sense of safety for your students goes a long way in helping them heal and move past trauma. The National Association of School Psychologists identifies ways educators can respond when they have identified a student who has experienced trauma:
Help children manage their feelings by teaching and modeling effective coping strategies
Answer questions related to the traumatic event(s) in honest, developmentally appropriate language and terms
Create clear and concrete safety plans with the child
Engage them in activities that stimulate the mind and body
Expand their "feelings" vocabulary so they can more easily express themselves
Promote family activities to bring them closer to the ones they love
Respond calmly and compassionately, but without displaying shock or judgment
Give them choices to regain a sense of control
Encourage and support them
Anticipate challenging times or situations that may be reminders of the event and provide additional support
Provide children who are acting out with opportunities to redirect their energy
Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of knowing and understanding your trauma. Take the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Quiz to increase self-awareness and become more equipped to understand the nuances in student behavior.
