The Trauma Aware Educator

Understanding the Science of Childhood Trauma and Its Impact on Students

This is a online course designed to answer frequently asked questions about the foundational concepts of trauma informed practice for educators and educational leaders.

Childhood trauma affects the physical, emotional, and social development of children and adolescents. In order to minimise harm, teachers and school leaders need to respond appropriately using trauma-informed practices and policies.

In this course, you will:

  • explore the impact of trauma on students and
  • understand the neuroscience behind the behaviours presented by students who have experienced complex trauma

This course is a primer for the Trauma Informed Positive Behaviour Support (TIPBS) online course and is suitable for teaching staff and education leaders who want to improve their professional practice, and is relevant to most school contexts worldwide. It may also be of interest to health and social care workers.


Your Instructor


Dr. Kay Ayre
Dr. Kay Ayre

Dr Kay Ayre is a lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Edith Cowan University, Western Australia. She has worked extensively with disengaged and disruptive children, their teachers and schools. Kay has a passion for helping build the capacity of teachers, to develop and maintain positive, inclusive classrooms with a focus on supporting children with trauma who demonstrate serious, disruptive behaviour. Her research and her teaching, focus on challenging behaviour of children with and without trauma, trauma-informed positive behaviour support, functional behaviour assessment and childhood wellbeing and resilience.

Course Curriculum


  Welcome to the Course!
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  What is Childhood Trauma?
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  What Are the Types of Childhood Trauma?
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  How Does Childhood Trauma Impact the Brain?
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  How Does Childhood Trauma Impact Relationships?
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  How Does Childhood Trauma Impact Memory?
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  How Does Childhood Trauma Impact Emotions?
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  How Does Childhood Trauma Impact the Body?
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  How Does Childhood Trauma Impact Behavior?
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  How Does Childhood Trauma Impact Communication?
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  How Does Childhood Trauma Impact Learning?
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  Thank you
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

Get started now!