Trauma Consistent Behaviour. Sounds imposing doesn't it?
In 2017 it was decided for me that I needed to learn about the above and how it impacts my practices and in turn the outcomes of my students. I shall at no time mention behaviours or students specifically and endeavour to address "challenging behaviours" as just that.
So what do I understand TCB to be (other than sounding like a small accounting firm)? It seems to be any behaviour exhibited by an individual which is consistent with the behaviours of an individual who has suffered a severe trauma. I have engaged with colleagues and family (as hummer is a good defence mechanism) that anytime something is untoward or wrong "it's trauma". Essentially it means damage. Think of ER "car crash victim suffering head and abdominal trauma" damaged head and abdomen.
So why are so many people damaged now compared with before? It's like asking why so many children are being diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum or ADHD. There aren't magically lots of kids like this because they've just happened. "But back in my day there was no such thing, it was just naughty kids that needed a smack". Exactly, that's my point, people have been like this for ages, its just now we have clinical terms and a greater understanding of what is going on for them. (And ask any POW if systemic and ongoing abuse didn't help them to two the line better, does it make mistreating children ok suddenly? NO).
So it doesn't mean the classrooms of the world are full of children so terribly traumatised that they cant function without a soft toy and a bottle of Prozac. It means that there are children in classrooms all over the world that exhibit behaviours that are strikingly similar to those of people who have suffered significant trauma in their lifetime. You don't need to have served in Iraq or Afghanistan to have suffered trauma in your life. Think about it and you will probably come up with one time you suffered a trauma in your life: car accident, assault, break in, illness, loss of a loved one, grief at a young age, abandonment (or the feeling of it)? Like any injury its severity can be very individualised and we aren't really able to judge the seriousness of other's compared to our own. That's why things are not as intimidating to some as they are to others.
So what behaviours should I be looking for? It's really irresponsible for me to actually tell anyone what they should look for as a rule because I'd be painting myself as an expert, I am not. If you're interested in getting educated then check out the Australian Childhood Foundation and their SMART training.
http://www.childhood.org.au/for-professionals/smart-online-training
Made by real experts. As with all things, knowledge is power and understanding. Think of how much your life would improve if people were a little more understanding.
I.M
