Dec 27, 2017, Athens (GA) Banner Herald: Grants aims to stem toll of trauma in Athens schoolchildren http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2017-12-27/grants-aims-stem-toll-trauma-athens-schoolchildren … The project aims to boost the reading achievement of more than 100 children who have experienced trauma by “disrupting traditional approaches to literacy instruction,” according to an announcement from Gov. Nathan Deal’s office. With its high poverty rate, many children in Athens-Clarke County experience some sort of trauma, and many show signs of post-traumatic stress syndrome, panelists said at a community forum earlier this year. The school district, social agencies and other groups met this spring as they launched an effort to make Athens a “trauma-informed community.” In schools, one result is an approach to discipline that encourages teachers and administrators to try to understand how trauma underlies many discipline issues. Teachers say they are more and more seeing the signs of post-traumatic stress syndrome — hypervigilance, distrust, an inability to concentrate, flying into a rage for no apparent reason, etc. The $669,000 grant will allow the school district to train teachers and caregivers in the school district’s Early Learning Center in how to recognize trauma and how to help children deal with trauma. A multidisciplinary team, including early learning experts from the University of Georgia, mental health professionals from area social service agencies, private agencies and other groups, will work with the educators and children. …

Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.