As schools begin to put in place trauma informed practices, one of the most important preventative measures is to identify student triggers. Once we can identify triggers, we can create prevention strategies to reduce student triggers and the resulting negative behavior that often is associated.
Student triggers can be transitions, individuals, sensory disorders, directives, word or even colors that cause an automatic emotional or behavioral response. And once a student is triggered, as adults we sometimes use intense responses to minimize recurrences. Unfortunately, our responses can include unjust treatment, challenged beliefs, loss of control, disapproval, or criticism of the student thereby eroding the educator/student relationship.