Short description:

Many foster and adoptive parents lose hope when they experience challenging and oppositional child behaviors. This book gives parents the tools and strategies to respond to these outbursts ? particularly those that stem from a child?s potentially traumatic history.

Long description:

Many foster and adoptive parents lose hope when they experience challenging and oppositional child behaviors. This book gives parents the tools and strategies to respond to these outbursts ? particularly those that stem from a child?s potentially traumatic history.

Drawing from behavioral research within an attachment and neurobiological framework, this transformative book offers practical guidance for foster and adoptive parents and professionals who seek to better understand and respond to a child with maladaptive behaviors. Based on his clinical expertise and his personal experience of being a foster and adoptive parent, Dr. David Adams highlights how trauma can impact children?s brains and behaviors. With a comprehensive model for each behavior, this guide offers evidence-based strategies that parents can use to both avoid and respond to the most common behaviors including lying, disrespect, hoarding, disrespect, and defiance. Complete with sample scripts, this book equips readers with the knowledge and tools to become more aware, responsive, and empathetic.

This invaluable guide is designed for parents and caregivers of foster and adopted children, as well as family therapists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals who work with these children and their families.

"Dr. David Adams has written a book that comes from his heart, passion and personal expertise. The book is filled with words of wisdom, specific interventions that empower parents and stories from David's own parenting journey. For parents who are fostering and / or adopting, this book has been uniquely built to be your partner and guide as you navigate the emotional landscape of helping your child heal."

Allison Davis-Maxon, LMFT, executive director of the National Center on Adoption and Permanency

"This book is a valuable resource for any parent who is trying to be the best parent they can be to their child with a challenging background. Dr David Adams brings together the powerful science of behavior and historically proven trauma-informed practices in a manner that is both informative and accessible."

Gabi Morgan, Ph.D, BCBA-D, assistant professor of Applied Behavior Analysis, Cambridge College and Bay Path University

"Dr. David Adams' book is both refreshing and insightful. Dr David Adams weaves his own personal stories as an adoptive parent as well as highlights pertinent information about trauma-informed parenting. This is a book that will inspire today's foster / adoptive parents. They will learn a great deal from this timely resource. I highly recommend this book to all who care for children in crisis."

John DeGarmo, founder and director of Foster Care Institute

"This riveting book provides a comprehensive guide for foster and adoptive parents. Drawing from his extensive clinical experience as a psychologist and behavior analyst, as well as his personal experience as a foster and adoptive parent, Dr. David Adams offers invaluable guidance. His approach emphasizes the importance of using connections to address dysregulated behaviors in children with a history of trauma. This book is an essential resource for parents and professionals working with traumatized children."

Kirsten M. Kosmerl, Ed.d., BCBA-D, BCASE, IBA, CTRT-E, CTRS-C, ACAS-, ADHD-CE, LBS, LBA, educational and behavior consultant, certified trauma and resilience trainer

?Dr. David Adams allowed us into his world with immersive details of his life as foster parent and a professional. He merges these two worlds to create a ?how to? guide for foster and adoptive parents. The book will also be an invaluable resource for professionals who work with foster parents as well. The ?Lessons Learned,? section at the end of each chapter is a great quick reference guide. I recommend this book to anyone who wants an inside look into foster parenting."

Megan M Hamm, Ed.S., LPC-S, RPT- EMDR, certified clinician, parent-child relationship expert

?This is a must read for anyone caring for a child in out of home care. Dr. David Adams provides an honest portrayal of life with his children with their setbacks and successes. He shares how to handle the common behavioral issues for children in foster care along with the roots and meaning of these behaviors with a trauma-informed lens. This book will be an inspiration to all who are in the trenches with him. I cannot imagine a better guide for foster and adoptive parents to help their children grow and heal."

Martine Wehr, JD, foster and kinship care education program director, Saddleback College, California

?This inviting book moves the reader from theory to application with an accessible and encouraging text. If you have been trying to address challenging behaviors and are tired of cookie-cutter solutions, Dr. David Adams offers multiple strategies to meet the specific needs of your precious child and help you maintain connection.?

Renae M. Dupuis, M.Div, founder of TraumaWise

"Wow! Parents of all kinds will resonate with this insightful book, and caregivers of all kinds will appreciate and learn from reading Dr. Adams' vulnerable, revealing stories. Supporting therapists just might emerge more helpful as they approach future families who would benefit from an understanding of how trauma-informed view of challenges changed Dr. Adams' life and his children?s behavior. This perspective could change your life and your parenting too."

Camille Kolu, Ph.D, BCBA-D, owner of Cusp Emergence

?This timely book outlines the realities of foster and adoptive parenting for children with trauma histories in a way that allows one to understand the why behind trauma-related behaviors.  Foster and Adoptive parents and professionals will learn to be more mindful in their own responses, rather than to look at the behaviors of their children at face value. Parents that read this informative book will walk away with fresh hope and understanding as they are equipped with practical steps to be better parents for their children."

Issac Etter, adoptee and founder of Identity

"As an adoptive parent, I deeply resonate with his research-backed strategies and personal stories. Dr. Adams? amazing insights into trauma-informed parenting are both practical and compassionate, offering invaluable guidance for parents walking similar journeys. Dr. Adams does a great job of combining his expertise and own experience as an adoptive father, which makes this captivating book a powerful resource for anyone seeking hope in the depths of challenging parenting. I?m grateful for Dr. David Adams? work and highly encourage you to read it."

Max McGhee, OrphanCare pastor of Saddleback Church, TBRI? practitioner

Table of Contents:

Introduction  Section 1: Brief Overview of Trauma-Informed Foster Parenting  1. Undertaking a New Adventure  2. Understanding the Symptoms of Trauma  3. Utilizing Trauma-Informed Care  4. How Trauma Affects the Brain, Behavior, and Health Outcomes  Section 2: Basic Tenants of TBRI? and Trauma-Informed Foster Parenting  5. Creatively Empowering your Child  6. Connecting Through the Chaos  7. Correcting your Child's Conduct  Section 3: Behavior Change for Trauma-Informed Foster Parenting  8. Replacement Behaviors and Teaching Strategies  9. Relying on Proactive Strategies  10. Responding Strategies  11. Resisting the Punishment Trap  12. Repairing the Rupture  Section 4: Behavioral Challenges in Trauma-Informed Foster Parenting  13. Homework Battles  14. Responding to Defiance  15. Disrespect  16. Lying  17. Hoarding and Stealing  18. Digital Addiction  Glossary  References