ABSTRACT

This chapter presents a case study of James. He is a six-year-old first-grade child who attends an elementary school in an urban public school district. He witnessed a drive-by shooting of an older high school age student who was walking by the school while James was playing on the schoolyard. Monique reports that James shows little interest in the classroom activities and has become quiet and withdrawn while he is at school. James will cry or become immobile when there are unfamiliar adults approaching the school or coming into the classroom. In these moments, it is very difficult for Monique to help calm or re-regulate James into a more optimal state of arousal. James' teacher could work with the school or district psychologist to talk with Kim, James' mother, about his fears about sleeping at night. James could be referred to work with the school counselor or school psychologist to talk about the trauma he experienced witnessing the shooting.