This week, Dr. Amy Yillik discusses trauma-responsive practices in education with Jessica Reamon, Autism Consultant for the Northwest Regional Education Service District. The two educators emphasize the importance of creating an environment where students feel safe and connected, a necessity for any learning to take place. They suggest achieving this goal through co-regulation, the process of modeling and teaching self-regulation skills with supportive responses and a warm, calming presence.
Co-regulation, of course, cannot be effective if educators don’t also feel safe and in control, an ideal that is often difficult to achieve with the stress that is endemic to the field of education. This episode suggests a variety of strategies to maintain your equilibrium and sense of calm (have you ever heard of dance church?). The benefits for yourself and your students are within reach.
Resources
Autism Resource Site, compiled by Jessica Reamon
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