Recommended Summer Read

The Trauma-Sensitive Classroom is written from the unique perspective of Patricia (Tish) Jennings who personally experienced several significant traumas during her own childhood. The book has 3 parts: 1) describes the effects of trauma on body and mind, and how to recognize them in students' behavior; 2) introduces the trauma-sensitive practices she has implemented in her work with schools; and 3) connects the dots between mindfulness, compassion, and resilience. The book offers many practical activities to create a compassionate learning environment. The Appendices also have many additional resources.

Resource to support children in overcoming trauma

Trust is one of the most complex human emotions is trust. Trust is the strong belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something. Trauma can disrupt the emotion of trust, and this can have a lasting impact on a person’s life.  The National Institute of Mental Health (USA) defines childhood trauma as; “The experience of an event by a child that is emotionally painful or distressful, which often results in lasting mental and physical effects.” However with the right support it is possible to recover from early trauma. It is recommended to provide children with ongoing opportunities to talk about what they went through without pressuring them to do so.

"Hugo Learns to Trust Again" is a simple book about a young chimp who looses his home and mother.  Hugo eventually ends up with a loving caregiver and begins to trust again. Along with the book comes a CD containing many activities that promote discussions with children and tips for care givers. A 2014 study showed that nearly half of all children in the United States are exposed to at least one traumatic social or family experience; therefore, I recommend all elementary counselors adding this resource to their bookshelf. It is available at youthlight.com

Healing the Long-term Effects of Childhood Adversity

Two thirds of people have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, from the likes of bereavement and divorce to abuse and neglect. In The Deepest Well Dr Burke Harris reveals the science behind childhood adversity and offers a new way of understanding the adverse events that affect us throughout our lifetime. Based on her own groundbreaking clinical work and public leadership, Dr Burke Harris shows us how we can disrupt this cycle through interventions that help retrain the brain and body, foster resilience, and help children, families, and adults live healthier, happier lives. Listen to the NPR broadcast about this research and how schools are changing as a result https://www.npr.org/the-deepest-well-healing-the-long-term-effects-of-childhood-adversity 

I learned so much from this book especially "Living with the Bear" which causes a dysregulated stress response that can be a daily pattern for some students. Dr. Burke also talks about all the physical health risks for students with early trauma. I hope all school counselors will read this book.

Is it ADHD or Trauma?

Symptoms of child traumatic stress could be mistaken for ADHD and that the risk of misdiagnosis is high. This is because there is an overlap between ADHD symptoms and the effects of experiencing trauma. Unless symptoms are examined closely, the profiles of child traumatic stress and ADHD can appear to be similar. For example:
 Young children who experience trauma may have symptoms of hyperactivity and disruptive
behavior that resemble ADHD.
 Trauma can make children feel agitated, troubled, nervous, and on alert. These behaviors
can be mistaken for hyperactivity.
 What might seem like inattention in children who experience trauma might actually be
symptoms of dissociation (feelings of unreality or being outside of one’s body) or the result of
avoidance of trauma reminders.
 Among children who experience trauma, intrusive thoughts or memories of trauma (e.g.,
feeling like it is happening all over again) may lead to confused or agitated behavior which
can resemble the impulsivity of ADHD.
Overlapping symptoms can make it difficult to obtain a correct diagnosis, which can complicate both
assessment and counseling.
Read more about this adhd_and_child_traumatic_stress