HowTraumaAffectsLearning

Hard to pay attention or sit still

Trouble remembering instructions

Struggles with reading or writing

May seem like not trying — but really trying to feel safe

Learning takes a back seat to survival

Dear Diary,

“Sometimes I sit in class and it’s like I can’t hear anything the teacher says. My body is there, but my head is somewhere else.

Like this morning — we were supposed to do a writing assignment, but I couldn't even remember the directions. I was still thinking about last night. The shouting. The door slamming. The police coming.

Everyone else started writing, and I just stared at the paper. I wanted to cry, but I didn't want anyone to see.

The teacher said I need to focus more. But how do you focus when your stomach hurts from stress and your brain won’t stop spinning?

I’m not dumb. I used to like school. But now it’s like my brain is always tired. It’s like the bad stuff follows me here, even when it’s quiet.”