For Child Educators and Service Providers

So you work with children. This essentially means that you work with children who have experienced trauma. The National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative reports that by age 16, more than two thirds of children have experienced at least one traumatic event. While this may feel daunting or overwhelming, never fear! Keep reading, and I will give you some practical tips for working with kiddos in a trauma-informed way. And I promise -- I am not expecting you to provide therapy with your kiddos. There are simple adjustments that can be made that can address their trauma and ensure that your work with them does not cause additional damage. The Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators is a great additional resource.

Give kiddos choices! Kiddos who have experienced trauma experienced at least one instance of feeling a profound lack of control. I know you have things you need to get done in your office/classroom/etc. with the kiddos... but work to make sure there is flexibility.
Why this is GREAT... when you give a kiddo a choice, they likely feel more respected and in control. They are also more likely to engage with you!
For example: "Alright Maya, I have a couple of things I think would be great to do with you today. Would you like to practice writing your name or play this phonics game with me first?"
Never, EVER touch a child without getting permission and explaining what you are going to do. Kiddos who have experienced trauma already may feel out of touch with their bodies. Their trauma may have included physical/sexual abuse. Any touch can terrify a kiddo and put them in a state of hyperarousal (crying, looking around in terror, anger, tense muscles, impulsivity, etc.)

Giving kiddos control back of their bodies can be very empowering. It also teaches them that they have a voice and can dictate who can or cannot touch their bodies.
For example: "Jason, I see that your foot is turned in as you're standing. Is it alright if I touch your foot and help you move it?"
Avoid punitive consequences. Kiddos with trauma have increased difficulty using executive functioning skills (paying attention, regulating emotions, stopping and thinking before reacting, etc.) We need to remember this when working with kiddos! Kids do well if they can, and the way kiddos act can give us insight into how they are feeling. Is your little one throwing things across the room? That indicates hyperarousal. The mindset has to change from "How do we control the behavior?" to "How can we support this kiddo in their time of struggle right now?"
Read Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control if you have any time at all. Highly recommended.
For example: "Brianne, it looks like you are experiencing some big feelings right now. Let's take a quick break to give you a chance to relax. I am going to practice some deep breathing right now, and feel free to breathe deep with me."
Be attentive to how the environment around them may be potentially triggering, and make accommodations whenever possible. Doors slamming, bells ringing, safety drills, raised voices, commands, dark rooms, etc. can all trigger traumatized kiddos. This is important to know, though... there is NO WAY for you to know all of the triggers that your kiddos may experience. Just stay attentive to how your kiddos are responding in situations... if they're showing signs of hyperarousal, try to observe what may be pushing your kiddos outside of their window of tolerance.
For example: Cameron flinches every time a bell goes off in the classroom. He often gets into trouble right after the bell rings, and his teachers assumed that he needed consequences to learn to make better choices. However, he has witnessed domestic violence, and hearing loud noises often resulted in someone he cared about being injured.
Screen, refer, and coordinate! You may be the first or only person in contact with a kiddo who may need services specific to the trauma they have experienced. Be ready and willing to connect your kiddos with the help they need!
Screening: Child Trauma Screening Questionnaire (CTSQ)
Screening: Traumatic Events Screening Inventory (TESI)
Screening: Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS)
Screening: University of California at Los Angeles Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI) -- the linked resource is not the official version. I believe your organization/school needs a license to use this?
Screening: Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC) -- not free, I'm sorry!
Referring: Child Advocacy Centers will often provide trauma-specific therapy to kiddos. Find your nearest advocacy center and investigate whether they provide therapy services at their offices or if they refer out!
Referring: Psychology Today can be a great resource to find potential therapists for your kiddos. Make sure you specify their insurance if they have it, that you are looking for "Trauma and PTSD" therapy, and their age. The link I provided is for therapists in Detroit, MI, but you can specify your kiddo's city/town.