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This Clear Language Lab webinar took place on November 13, 2020. Check out the notes below or access the webinar recording.
We don’t always know who has experienced trauma.
Almost ⅔ of people have experienced an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE).
More than 3 out of 5 people have experienced three or more ACEs.
Central to the experience of trauma is
Helplessness
Isolation and
The loss of power and control
Definitions: What are we talking about?
Plain Language:
Wording, structure and design that is so clear that the intended reader can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information (International Plain Language Federation)
Trauma:
Generally involves threats to life or bodily integrity, or a close personal encounter with violence or death.
Often leads to fear, helplessness, loss of control, inability to take action.
When action is not possible, the human system of self-defense that gives us control, connection and meaning becomes overwhelmed and disorganized.
It is an individual’s subjective experience that determines whether an event is or is not traumatic.
General Notes:
Trauma’s Continuum of Complexity:
Early onset vs. adult onset
Single incident vs. multiple or ongoing (chronic)
Interpersonal vs. External
Level of invasiveness, stigma, vulnerability
When experiencing trauma:
Messages take longer to get to the Rational Brain - the place where planning and processing take place
The Emotional Brain is in primary control - the place that triggers the rest of the body to go into action to save our life
Trauma & Memory
Declarative “explicit” memory
Grounded in language
Brain automatically categorizes every new experience and integrates it into existing knowledge base
Time consuming
Does not lend itself to emergency situations where immediate response is necessary
Nondeclarative “implicit” memory
Memory of habits, skills, conditional emotional responses
Not language based
Kids may have nonverbal memories long before verbal ones (sensations, emotions, images)
Post Traumatic Stress can show up in different ways:
Intrusion: the traumatic event is persistently re-experienced (nightmares, flashbacks, etc.)
Avoidance: efforts to avoid internal and external reminders of the event
Negative Cognition and Mood (including):
Inability to recall key features of trauma
Inappropriate blame of self or others
Feeling isolated from others
Hyperarousal (including):
Irritability and angry outbursts
Risky or destructive behavior
Heightened startle response
Trauma can disrupt our ability to:
Think
Remember
Control Emotions
Connect
Trust
Ask for Help
Be vulnerable with someone
Believe someone else cares
And so much more…
What Makes Us Feel Safe?
Physical space (valued, comforting, clear exit)
Non-verbals (mirroring)
Calm
Tone
Words - all forms of communication
Knowing we are seen/heard
Predictability & consistency
Power
Relationship
What Restores a Sense of Power?
Information
Honesty
Real choice
Accomplishment
Partnership
Relationship
Core relationship qualities:
Warmth
Empathy
Authenticity/Genuineness
Unconditional positive regard
Respect
Focus on strengths and survivorship
Making our documents clear, useful, affirming… and trauma-informed
The goals of trauma recovery are the restoration of safety, power and connection.
Language can harm - cause distress, fear, isolation
When we feel unsafe, our bodies will respond
Our systems are oppressive - we have to work to be actively anti-oppressive
We often create conditions of stress and then blame people for their biological responses to that stress
You can change this!
Creating Trauma-Informed Communications
Makes information easy to find, understand and use
Creates a safe “space”
Actively avoids power differentials
Prioritizes relationship-building
Indicates an actual trauma-informed practice
Resources:
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