Childhood Trauma and Its Impact on College and Career Readiness Stephanie Eberts, Ph.D. seberts@lsu.edu

Agenda Introductions Childhood Trauma and why it is important to college and career readiness What can we do in schools? Questions and comments

Developmental Trauma (Complex PTSD) Usually defined in relational terms, i.e., disruptions in the primary attachment systems, which primarily drives development of competencies in self-regulation, formation of positive relationships, and acquisition of cognitive and relevant learning abilities. Traumatic experiences in early childhood may have immediate and long-term outcomes across domains of impairment, including attachment, biology, affect regulation, dissociation, behavioral control, cognition, and self-concept (Cook et al., 2005).

Developmental Trauma (Complex PTSD) Tends to occur at critical period of development (i.e., developmentally vulnerable) in an individual’s life e.g., early childhood or adolescence. The threat of such traumatic experiences necessitates that survival takes precedence and priority over normative psychobiological development.

Adverse Childhood Experiences https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/about.html ACES Score Video

What Trauma Looks Like in Students Inability to focus Aggressive Behavior Zoned Out Dream like state “Laziness” Indifference Lack of Responsiveness Impulsivity Easily frustrated Difficulty following through

Sometimes the students who need the most help are the ones who make themselves the least likeable.

Trauma’s Impact on Decision Making Lack of efficacy Impulsivity Difficulty with Perseverance Low self-worth Inability to make even small decisions Difficulty getting started on a new project or assignment

Impact on Career and College Readiness Summer Melt Difficulty Holding a Job Indecisiveness when exploring options Lack of support of complete post secondary education Memory issues impacting school and work life

What can Schools Do? Students heal in relationship Trauma sensitive schools Mentor programs Guided and intentional career and college exploration programs Apprentice programs Transition plans from high school to work/college programs Early intervention (Vertical Career and College Readiness planning)

The Role of Teachers Identify students who are struggling Use support staff for interventions Approach students with patience and kindness Involve the family Work with Community partners

The Role of School Counselors Intentional and early career and college readiness programs Consultation to support teachers and parents Work with community agencies to get mental health services to students Educate staff about the impact of trauma on students RESOURCES

Questions and Comments Stephanie Eberts seberts@lsu.edu

Resources: Websites Child Trauma Academy: www.childtrauma.org National Child Traumatic Stress Network: www.nctsn.org Trauma Center: http://www.traumacenter.org/ National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children: https://www.starr.org/training/tlc Nurturing the Heart: https://www.nurturingtheheart.com/

Resources: Books The Invisible Classroom: Relationships, Neuroscience and Mindfulness in School by: Kirke Olsen and Louis Cozolino The body keeps the score by: Bessel Van Der Kolk The boy who was raised as a dog by: Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz Brainstorm: the power and purpose of the teenage brain by Daniel Siegel