Where It’s Needed Most –
September 27, 2019 – When a child is living with a parent who is addicted to drugs, they are likely experiencing a lot of emotional, or even physical, trauma and stress. When that’s happening, they’re not able to access their prefrontal cortex, which allows them to retain information and gain new information. So they’re not able to learn math or reading or writing during that school day,” Cram says. “They’re thinking about survival skills and getting enough food to eat or having their basic needs met. So the trauma is affecting their academic outcomes and their development.” As a result of this program, Applegate says she has observed more students asking for help because they now have the language to communicate their needs. “Kendra is using the language with them — self-regulation and zones of regulation — and we’re hearing those kids use that language,” Applegate says. “Now it’s becoming part of their everyday vocabulary and using that language to reach out and ask for help.”
