Sarah Butler is a child and adolescent therapist, offering bespoke guidance on therapeutic approaches to managing the behaviours of children who have experienced trauma, bereavement, abuse and/or insecure attachments. Sarah is also an experienced teacher, having worked in mainstream secondary schools and alternative provisions, including more than a decade teaching in a hospital school within an adolescent psychiatric unit, where she developed and delivered mental health awareness training to local schools and trainee teachers.

Introduction

Part 1: Understanding Polyvagal Theory

Chapter 1 - What is Polyvagal Theory?

Background

The Central Nervous System

The Autonomic Nervous System

The Evolution of the Brain

The Sympathetic Nervous System

The Parasympathetic Nervous System

The Vagus Nerve

Ventral Vagal Nerve

Dorsal Vagal Nerve

The Three Autonomic States

Blended States (Dual Activation)

Signs of Threat and Signs of Safety

Emotional Regulation

Summary

Chapter 2 - Polyvagal Theory and Child Development

Piaget - Cognitive Development Theory

Erikson - Psychosocial Development Theory

Vygotsky - Sociocultural Theory

Bowlby - Attachment Theory

Other Ideas about Child Development - Klein and Winnicott

Pulling The Ideas Together

Summary

Chapter 3 - Polyvagal Theory and Childhood Trauma

Defining Trauma

Early Trauma and Brain Development

The Biased ANS

Hormones

Connection - Protection

Summary

Chapter 4 - Seeing your pupils through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory

The Meaning of Behaviour

Self-Regulation, Co-regulation and Dysregulation

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Neurodevelopmental Conditions

Tracking Autonomic States

Renaming the Autonomic States

Summary

Chapter 5 - Getting to know your Autonomic Nervous System

ANS Tracking

Body and Breath

Regulation through Rhythm

Sensory Soothing

Mindful Moments

Brain workouts and Being your Best Friend

Calming Creativity

The Power of Pets

Summary

Chapter 6 - Calming the Dysregulated Child

Be Safe: Removing the threat

Feel Safe: Tuning in to your own ANS

Connect: Body Tracking, Breathing, Moving

Summary

Chapter 7 - A Whole School Approach

The Current Climate

School as a Container

Safety Starts at the Top

The Ventral Vagal Net

Transitions

Trauma-Informed, Attachment Aware, and other Approaches

Summary

Part 2: Using Polyvagal Theory with Pupils

1. Warm-ups

2. Creating a Safe Space - Boundary Setting

3. Psychoeducation

4. Self-awareness

5. Connecting to the Body

6. Connecting to Others

7. Self-soothing

8. The Connection Diet

Summary

Final Thoughts

Glossary

References

Index