Abstract

Difficult behaviour in children with developmental trauma comes from a place of hurt. It is often confusing, unpredictable and painful both to the child and the people around them, and can be a form of self-protection or coping with deeply rooted fears and anxieties.

Traumatized children rarely respond to traditional parenting strategies, but once you understand the impact of trauma on children you can master 'developmental reparenting' strategies which do work - by validating their feelings, boosting self-esteem and encouraging open and honest conversations. The first part of this book guides you using easy to understand language through the latest science and research relating to trauma and its impact on the brain and executive functioning. The second part forms the heart of the book, laying out 35 action charts to addresses some of the very hardest challenges for parents and carers - from inappropriate sexualised behaviour and overfamiliarity with strangers through to tantrums, food issues and deception.

Written by an experienced adoptive parent who is also a qualified social worker with expertise in trauma-informed parenting, this book will be a welcome relief to any family struggling with the challenges of living with trauma in the home.

The uniqueness and innovation in this resource is in the practical nature of connecting executive functioning difficulties - the 'why does my child do this?' - to the 'what can I do?' and 'what can I say?'. Packed full of ideas, suggestions and resources for strategies and interventions, all so clearly written by Christine, this guide is not to be missed!
Edwina Grant, Chair of SAIA
This book will be of great help to adults who care for children with developmental trauma. Christine Gordon deftly helps to close the gap between understanding these children and knowing what to do to provide the consistently compassionate care they need to recover from the effects of early life trauma.
Jonathan Baylin, PhD, coauthor with Daniel Hughes of The Neurobiology of Attachment-focused Therapy
Christine Gordon is the co-founder of Family Futures adoption agency in London and founder of ADAPT Scotland, which offers parenting and therapeutic support to adoptive and foster parents caring for traumatized children.