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An Emergency Guide for Teachers |
Number of facts about Trauma
Trauma is likely to cause deterioration in functionality at school, this may be demonstrated as:
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A drop in grade averages |
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Greater frequency of absenteeism from school |
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Deterioration in reading ability |
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Behavior problems |
Trauma is likely to impair learning ability.
Even a single exposure to a traumatic event is likely to cause restlessness, disturbed thinking, difficulty sleeping and nightmares, anger and moodiness, anxiety and frustration and withdrawal from society – each of these is likely to affect the attentiveness, concentration and memory of the student. Many sufferers of trauma have difficulty organizing, planning, keeping focused, processing information and solving problems.
Children suffering from trauma are likely to be emotionally and physically distressed, in the following ways:
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Physical symptoms like headaches and stomach aches |
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Impulsive and unpredictable behavior |
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Over-reaction and under-reaction to sounds of ringing and sirens from the street, slamming doors, physical contact, bright light or sudden movements of other children and adults. |
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Sharp reactions to everything that reminds them of the traumatic event.
They may:
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Feel threatened when others invade their personal space (for example when someone touches them or stares at them).
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Have an outburst when someone corrects them or tells them what to do
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Resist change
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Become violent when they are reprimanded or criticized |
We can help students who have been exposed to a traumatic event!
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