Trauma
Some children and young people may have experienced trauma. The UK Trauma Council defines trauma as ‘a distressing event or events that are so extreme or intense that they overwhelm a person’s ability to cope, resulting in lasting negative impact’.
Identifying the signs of trauma
A child or young person’s trauma will show in their behaviours and become a barrier to their learning.
What are some possible signs of trauma?
- Physical symptoms such as sleep problems including nightmares, headaches/stomach pains, or signs of regression (going back to things they did at a younger age such as bedwetting and thumb-sucking).
- Experiencing problems in their relationships with others.
- Being on edge or hyper vigilant (always on the lookout for danger).
- Experiencing heightened anxiety or persistent low mood. This can manifest as 'fight, flight or freeze' behaviours.