Trauma Informed Schools

1. Introduction

The Trauma Informed School's perspective includes looking at challenging behaviors as ways for students to cope with traumatic experiences. At times, stress behavior is misinterpreted as maladaptive behavior. Trauma Informed Practices seek to alter perspectives by examining all behavior as stress behavior first by changing the question from: 

 ...what is wrong with you? 

to 

...what has happened to you? 

This change in question helps to frame the teacher’s perspective towards the student.

Trauma Informed Schools focus on environmental changes that promote a positive school climate and culture.  A positive school climate and culture creates a safe environment for students to be able to express their fears, anxieties, and struggles without judgment.  It establishes a sense of belonging and creates an environment where emotional sharing and expression become safer and more acceptable.