Developmental Trauma
What is Developmental Trauma?
Developmental Trauma is the term used to describe the impact of early repeated trauma and loss, which happens within the child’s important relationships.
Potential behavioural impacts of trauma are:
- Not able to calm down when angry or upset – Emotional dysregulation
- Jumpy, restless, alert, agitated, or impulsive – Hyperarousal
- Tearful and clingy – Inability to self-soothe
- Daydreaming, lack of focus, withdrawn – Hypoarousal
- Difficulty maintaining friendships or relationships – Attachment insecurity
Understanding Trauma: Learning Brain vs Survival Brain
A Morning in the Life of a Traumatised Child by Jane Evans
Trauma Resources
Beacon House is an excellent resource for you to read and learn more about developmental trauma, the impact it has, and how to support the children in your classrooms.
If you go onto the free resource link, you will find valuable information for you to use such as the Developmental Trauma Close Up article.
Reading List to Support Your Learning:
Peter Levine’s work in trauma is grounded in medical biophysics, psychophysiology and psychology, as well as his own innovative research into the instinctual behaviour of wild animals. Over the past 35 years, he has developed and refined a method called Somatic Experiencing (SE), which provides the foundation for this guide to dealing with trauma in children.
A simple guide to the essential knowledge adults need to support children affected by trauma.
Dr Nadine Burke Harris is the Surgeon General of California, the founder and CEO of Center for Youth Wellness in San Francisco, California and the author of Toxic Childhood Stress (originally published as The Deepest Well). She has earned international attention for her innovative approach to addressing adverse childhood experiences as a risk factor for adult disease, such as heart disease and cancer.
This guide deals with the different types of childhood trauma – mental, emotional and physical as emotional bullying can sometimes leave deeper scars than physical attack. It helps the reader to become more aware of the past, how it has affected them and to heal the hurt of past trauma. There are many case histories as well as practical exercises for the reader to practise and information on where to find outside help, should they feel the need for it.