Training Module 2 of 10: What’s behind their behavior?

Trauma, Stress and the Brain Imagine your stress levels on steroids, that is complex trauma. When children have prolonged exposure/experiences to adversity they develop toxic stress. As a result, they live in constant fight, flight or freeze mode. Directly impacts their physical, social, emotional and academic development. Complex trauma is the experience of multiple or chronic and prolonged, developmentally adverse traumatic events – typically of a personal nature (abuse, neglect, etc) and has an early onset in life Toxic stress is a perpetual state of heightened arousal of a child’s nervous system which releases large doses of stress chemicals into their body - this can become toxic over time (think of the obesity). These kids live with an over-active stress response. Long term exposure to toxic stress can impair their ability to develop appropriately

What does that do to a child? Reduced attention span Impaired self-regulation Lack of impulse control Decreased learning readiness Physical symptoms Mental symptoms Dysregulation Maladaptive coping behaviors

Brain Science for Beginners Upstairs Brain -Allows us to think before we act -Decision making -Control over emotions and body -Focus/concentration -Empathy -Self awareness Downstairs Brain -Allows us act before we think -Fight/Flight response -Emotional reactions -Bodily functions So this is how I teach kids the most basic way their brain works. We have an upstairs brain or our thinking brain this is also called the neo-cortex. It is where our executive functions process like thinking before we act, self-regulation, empathy, self awareness and then you have the downstairs brain which typically in scientific terms would encompass the limbic brain and the reptilian brain. This is the seat of our emotions, the center of reactivity or impulsivity. If you are familiar with fight, flight or freeze, that is where these functions live – the entire goal of mindfulness is to transcend the downstairs brain to the upstairs brain no matter what is happening ---- guys cuts you off in traffic, co-worker doesn’t fulfill their end of an obligatin , you get the picture right … Source: Siegel and Bryson “The Whole Brain Child”

Impacts of Trauma on Child Development The normal developmental process is interrupted and students may display internalizing or externalizing behaviors When triggered, the downstairs brain dominates the upstairs brain These adaptations may present as behavior problems in traditional settings, like school Trauma causes the brain to adapt in ways that contribute to their survival (flight, flight, freeze)

Common triggers for traumatized children Unpredictability or sudden change Transitions from one activity to another Loss of control Feeling vulnerability or rejection Confrontation, authority, boundaries, limits Loneliness Sensory overload

Fight, Flight & Freeze: What do these look like in Children? Hyperactive Withdrawal Looking dazed Oppositional behavior Escaping/Eloping Daydreaming Pushing limits Isolation Forgetfulness Physical aggression Avoidance Shutting down

Training Module 2 of 10: What’s behind their behavior? Questions, Resources, Thoughts, Concerns, Putting it into Practice