New Families, Old Scripts : A Guide to the Language of Trauma and Attachment in Adoptive Families

Most adopted children and their families will, sooner or later, encounter the challenges of dealing with unresolved attachment issues or early traumatic experiences. "New Families, Old Scripts" is an accessible introduction to understanding these challenges and helping children and their families to develop a shared language and understanding of one another. Steeped in the experience of the authors, the book offers a wealth of practical guidance and intervention in a no-nonsense style that will be readily understandable to both families and the professionals who work with them. Case examples bring the issues to life, while sample letters addressed to the parent offer sensitive, jargon-free advice on the issues they are likely to encounter - whether it be dealing with anger and aggression, understanding sibling issues or how to react to sexualised behaviour. The authors also explain some of the theoretical background to trauma to encourage a better understanding of the relationship between trauma, attachment and development. The accessible combination of theoretical approaches and practical advice makes "New Families, Old Scripts" an ideal resource for social workers and adoptive or foster parents. Family Futures Consortium provides services for parents and professionals working with adopted and fostered children, including training and consultation for statutory and voluntary agencies nationwide. In their therapeutic work with families, they have evolved a unique intensive, multi-disciplinary approach to supporting children with attachment and trauma-related difficulties.

This invaluable guide to understanding the troubling behaviour of many adopted children explores the lasting effects of early maltreatment, separations and losses on children's development and on subsequent family, school and peer interactions.

Rooted in the personal and professional experience of the authors it offers a wealth of practical guidance and information in an A-Z 'alphabet of issues'. The authors also explore the theoretical background to trauma, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the complex relationship between trauma, attachment and development.

Family Futures Consortium provides services for parents and professionals working with adopted and fostered children, including training and consultation for statutory and voluntary agencies nationwide. In their therapeutic work with families, they have evolved a unique, intensive, multi-disciplinary approach to supporting children with attachment and trauma-related difficulties.

"This is an invaluable guide to understanding the troubling behaviour of many adopted children: exploring the lasting effects of early maltreatment, separations and losses on children's development and on subsequent family, school and peer interactions." "Rooted in the personal and professional experience of the authors it offers a wealth of practical guidance and information in an A-Z 'alphabet of issues' that is easily accessible for families and the practitioners who work with them. The authors also explore the theoretical background to trauma, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the complex relationship between trauma, attachment and development." "Case study families are used to highlight challenges adoptive parents are likely to encounter, such as dealing with anger and aggression, understanding sibling issues, managing sexualised behaviour or living with a child who is 'too good'. Detailed explanatory letters addressed to individual families present the material in sensitive, jargon-free ways to help parents make sense of, translate and transform their children's puzzling behavioural communications: 'the language of trauma' learned in their birth families."--Jacket Most adopted children and their families will, sooner or later, encounter the challenges of dealing with unresolved attachment issues or early traumatic experiences. This book is an accessible introduction to understanding these challenges and helping children and their families to develop a shared language and understanding of one another.