THEE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA ON A CHILD'S ABILITY TO LEARN

A traumatic event is a sudden and unexpected occurrence that causes intense fear and may involve a threat of physical harm or actual physical harm.  A traumatic experience may have a profound effect on the physical health, mental health, and development of the student.  How students process trauma depends on their age and level of development.  By understanding how students experience traumatic events and how they express their lingering distress over the experience, school personnel can better respond and help them through this challenging time.

For students, the overall effect of a traumatic experience may cause ongoing feelings of concern for their own safety and safety of others.  These students may become preoccupied with  thoughts about their actions during the event, often times experiencing guilt or shame over what they did or did not do at  the time.  They might engage in constant retelling of the traumatic event, or may describe being overwhelmed by their feeling of fear or sadness.

Elementary students may show signs of distress through somatic complaints such as stomachaches, headaches, and pains.  These students may have a change in behavior, such as increase irritability, aggression, and anger.  Their behaviors may be inconsistent.  These students may show a change in school performance and have impaired attention and concentration and more school absences.  Late elementary students may excessively talk and ask persistent questions about the event.

Students traumatized by exposure to violence  have been shown to have lower grade point averages, more negative remarks in their cumulative records, and more reported absences from school than other students.  They may  have increased difficulties concentrating and learning at school and may engage in unusually reckless or aggressive behavior.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network