Trauma’s Hidden Impact on Learning
Trauma rewires the brain. For many students, the effects show up not just emotionally…but academically and behaviorally. They aren’t just distracted. They’re trying to survive.
In this episode of Learning Differently, Lynna Khalilian Martinez and Mike Wang talk with Shayna Abraham about how trauma shows up in school, how it’s often misread, and how educators and parents can create environments where healing and learning can happen side by side.
Rethinking Trauma: It’s Not Always Obvious
When people hear “trauma,” they often imagine big, catastrophic events—but for many students, trauma is quiet. It can be the small, everyday experiences that make a child feel unsafe, misunderstood, or overwhelmed, like being bullied, struggling with a learning difference, or feeling socially isolated. These subtle traumas can build up over time and significantly impact a student’s ability to learn.
Trauma affects the brain in profound ways. When a student is in “survival mode,” the prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for planning, organization, and higher-level thinking) goes offline. Instead, the student’s focus shifts to basic safety and coping. In the classroom, this can look like shutting down, avoiding work, acting out, or struggling to pay attention. It’s not laziness or defiance; it’s a natural response to feeling unsafe or overwhelmed.
Recognizing trauma as a spectrum—from repeated small stressors to major life events—changes how we respond. Students need environments that prioritize safety, connection, and understanding first. With the right support, including predictable routines and compassionate guidance, healing is possible, and students can begin to engage fully in learning.
How Educators and Parents Can Support Students With Trauma
Supporting students who have experienced trauma starts with understanding the source and nature of what they’ve endured. Some trauma is chronic, occurring repeatedly over time, while other experiences may be one significant event. Identifying the type of trauma helps adults provide the right resources and strategies. For example, if a student is being bullied at school, parents and teachers can create safety plans, teach coping skills, or ensure the student has access to a trusted adult when challenges arise.
Practicing coping strategies ahead of time—what experts call “coping ahead”—can make a big difference. Simple plans, like taking a short break during a stressful class or knowing how to ask for help, give students tools to manage future challenges. These strategies aren’t just for kids; parents, teachers, and even professionals can benefit from planning ways to stay regulated in stressful situations. The goal is to have go-to skills ready so that when stress hits, the response is grounded rather than reactive.
Healing from trauma is possible, though it often requires support. Therapeutic modalities like EMDR and brain spotting can help move traumatic experiences to less emotionally charged parts of the brain, allowing students to process them more effectively. At the same time, adults can support recovery by understanding what helps each student feel safe and regulated. The focus isn’t perfection… it’s creating environments and routines that foster resilience, stability, and the ability to reengage in learning.
Myth-Busting Trauma
Let’s clear up some common misconceptions about trauma and its impact on learning:
Myth 1: Trauma isn’t real. It’s just an excuse.
Fact: Trauma is very real. It’s a physiological response where a student’s body is overwhelmed and unable to cope with a situation. It’s not about making excuses; it’s about understanding that their brain and body are in survival mode.
Myth 2: Talking about trauma makes it worse.
Fact: When handled thoughtfully with a trusted adult, talking about trauma can actually help students process and regulate their emotions. Open, supportive conversations prevent stressful situations from becoming chronic and provide tools for healing.
Myth 3: Only kids from “bad homes” experience trauma.
Fact: Trauma can affect any child, regardless of background. What matters is having safe spaces and trusted adults to help them navigate their experiences and begin to heal. Trauma impacts more than just behavior. It can affect how safe students feel in their bodies and how connected they feel at school. Healing may be slow and messy, but it’s possible, and struggling doesn’t mean anyone is doing it wrong.
What Thriving Looks Like
Students impacted by trauma can thrive when they feel safe, supported, and understood. Thriving doesn’t mean they never struggle… it means they have tools, relationships, and structures that help them regulate, engage, and grow.
At school, this might look like a student who once shut down now participating in class discussions, or someone who previously avoided group work feeling confident enough to contribute. Small successes, like asking for help, using coping strategies, or showing resilience after a challenging moment, are signs of progress.
At home, thriving can be seen in a student who feels secure sharing their feelings, practicing coping skills, or celebrating achievements without fear of judgment. Healing from trauma is a journey, and every step forward—big or small—is meaningful. With consistent support, guidance, and understanding from educators and parents, students can regain confidence, build resilience, and discover their potential in ways that feel safe and sustainable.
Take the Learning DNA Quiz
Every student experiences trauma differently, and each learner’s needs are unique. Our quick Learning DNA Quiz helps you identify your child’s strengths, challenges, and coping patterns so you can provide the support that works best for them.
By understanding their individual profile, you’ll gain insights into how trauma may be affecting their learning, focus, and emotional regulation, and discover strategies to help them thrive at school and at home.
Take the quiz today to start building a plan that’s tailored to your child’s needs—and turn understanding into action.
