Addressing Trauma in Adaptive Physical Activity: A Call to Reflection and Action

Trauma is pervasive, embodied, and can be perpetrated or perpetuated by researchers, educators, and practitioners, including those within adaptive physical activity (APA). In this article, we highlight the need to address trauma within APA as a matter of access and justice. We share various conceptu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Adapted physical activity quarterly 2022-04, Vol.39 (2), p.141-159
Main Authors: Eales, Lindsay, Goodwin, Donna L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Exercise
Humans
Social Justice
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Summary:Trauma is pervasive, embodied, and can be perpetrated or perpetuated by researchers, educators, and practitioners, including those within adaptive physical activity (APA). In this article, we highlight the need to address trauma within APA as a matter of access and justice. We share various conceptualizations of trauma from psychiatric, embodied, anti-pathologizing, and sociopolitical perspectives. Trauma-informed practice is introduced as a framework for creating safer, more inclusive programs and services, so we can recognize the impacts of trauma and affirm those who experience it. As the first step to a multistep trauma-informed process, our aim is to raise awareness of trauma and introduce resources for enacting trauma-informed practice. We also pose difficult questions about how we, as "helping" practitioners, researchers, and educators may be perpetuating or perpetrating harm and trauma, in particular sanism, within our profession. Ultimately, we invite readers to join us in reflection and action toward anti-pathologizing trauma-informed APA.
ISSN:0736-5829
1543-2777
DOI:10.1123/apaq.2020-0129