Description: Experiences of a Classroom Teacher
via Living My Truth…
Children and youth who have experienced traumatic stress often will share a number of seemingly contradictory characteristics, that are born out of a drive to cope with their experiences and survive in a world that they do not trust, and has not been kind to them.
One-on-one with adults these students function quite well. They will likely will enjoy and respond positively to supportive or innocuous conversations with adults. Adults in supportive roles, like school counselors or success coaches, will often describe these students as likable or even endearing. Some supportive adults will describe them as pleasant, charming or earnest. However, these students will also be “jumpy”, have a hard time concentrating, and struggle with confrontation or attempt to hold them a