Developing a Trauma-Informed Perspective in School Communities

Book excerpt: Developing a Trauma-Informed Perspective in School Communities: An Introduction for Educators, School Counselors, and Administrators provides future and current school counselors, educators, and leadership teams with relevant research on brain and human development to assist them in developing a trauma-informed perspective. Readers are encouraged to leverage this knowledge to create positive and formative change within schools and provide effective support for students struggling with potentially traumatic experiences, as well as those without trauma histories to ensure positive and healthy development. The text introduces key topics in brain and trauma research including attachment, neuroscience, adverse childhood experiences, toxic stress, mindfulness, restorative discipline, self-care, and resiliency. Readers learn how to recognize the signs of potential trauma and how to best support individuals exhibiting certain behaviors through a whole-school approach. The text demonstrates how a holistic and collective approach that addresses student behaviors through relationships to encourage development of self-efficacy skills is more effective than the "quick fix" often used to address student issues. Throughout the text, opportunities for personal connection, practice, and reflection underscore key concepts and build relevant knowledge that may be applied to future work with students and school staff. Developing a Trauma-Informed Perspective in School Communities is an ideal supplemental resource for courses and programs in education. It is also a powerful reference for professionals currently working within school and community settings.