The Impact of Trauma on Learning

Abstract

Research shows that children and adolescents who experience abuse and neglect have lower learning outcomes, higher rates of learning difficulties, and higher rates of mental health disorders and behavioral challenges than children without these traumatic experiences. Chapter 3 explores some of the common social, emotional, behavioral, and academic issues seen in children who experience trauma. Information to help school social workers with the process of differential diagnosis and differentiation among symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and the cognitive and intellectual issues that require special education is provided. Information on epigenetics is also explored to connect the biological, psychological, and social domains in assessing children and adolescents.