Occupational and Physical Therapy Practitioners Supporting Complex Learners 2026-2027

Conversations that Matter: Responding to the Impacts of Trauma on School-Based Performance

Session Dates

Thursday October 22, 2026 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM - Webinar

Register Now

---

The collective trauma of a global pandemic shifted the work climate for school-based providers. For children, experiences of trauma limits development in areas including cognition, attachment, emotion regulation, physiological regulation, sensory processing, and motor abilities. Research does, indeed, indicate that children born during the pandemic are at a higher risk for delays in these domains. Thus, more children have Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) at the same time as when systems are experiencing shortages of educational, traditional mental health, and ancillary support providers. This session will begin with a review of foundational knowledge in trauma and implications for participation, performance, and behavior in education settings. Discussion regarding what is happening in schools along with that works and is not working will also take place. The remainder of the session will engage participants in active dialogue and problem-solving, providing practical, evidence-based action steps for responding to and intervening with students impacted by trauma.

Objectives:

• Describe four ways trauma and chronic stress can affect student performance and participation in school, including impacts on regulation, sensory processing, cognition, motor abilities, and emotional functioning.
• Identify three ways trauma and chronic stress may influence classroom culture, relationships, and student behavior.
• Analyze school-based trauma-response practices to identify approaches that are effective and opportunities for improvement.
• Evaluate innovative, building-wide approaches that support trauma-responsive practices and identify opportunities for paradigm shifts in language, systems, and school-based responses.

Target Audience

Occupational Therapy Practitioners, Physical Therapy Practitioners, Administrators, Educators Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate individuals who have special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act and who need assistance at this event. Contact: Michael Stagemyer, at 717-901-2255, or mstagemyer@pattan.net.