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As several on this blog site are talking about adoption reform, several moms in my world of parenting special needs adopted children, especially those parenting traumatized children are talking about what needs to change in that arena.
In my mind these two purposes — adoption reform and advocating for traumatized children – are inescapably linked. The vast majority of children in adoptive or foster families have experienced some kind of trauma in their lives. It continues to amaze me that what started out as two topics on adoptionblogs.com ends up spilling over into so many of our bloggers’ posts. While Nancy over on Reactive Attachment Disorder blog focuses squarely on attachment, the lack of attachment, and the risks of developing RAD and related disorders because of trauma…RAD and attachment issues are frequent topics of several of our adoptive parent bloggers.
Then there are the other affects of trauma and post-institutional issues (or multiple foster moves) – things like PTSD, ADHD, school issues, sensory integration dysfunction…etc. These issues seem to be happening not only for those of us blogging specifically about special kids…but for a large percentage of our bloggers (and likely a large percentage of our readers as well.)
What’s my point? My point is that in the adoption reform efforts we must acknowledge that attachment and trauma are crucial pieces. When it comes to who has the “rights” and what needs to be “fixed” it really boils down to what’s healthy for the child, right? And to live a life where trauma is minimized and healthy attachment is promoted – and all the child’s neurodevelopmental needs (things like nutrition, stimulation, safety) are met – that’s the reform effort I see is needed.
One mom wrote to a listserve recently that she was “losing sleep” thinking about all the families out there in need of help finding resources and support. And I pointed her to the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN) specifically because the last people who need to be “losing sleep” about other traumatized children in the world are those of us working so hard to parent our own!
I’m both inspired by the passion of many of the parents I know, and as overwhelmed as they are about how to make things easier for those after us, spread the word and really be heard. But this is where ATN comes in…
ATN was founded with the idea that parents pulling together to support each other and find resources for their traumatized children would make things easier for all. Nancy Spoolstra, and a handful of moms, began locally and over the last decade the need for ATN has grown to national (and international) proportions. As others of us have joined the efforts, ATN has been able to take on more and more projects and outreach. We’re using the organization to make a difference…but there’s so much more to do.
I’m not “losing sleep” at this point (except for staying up way too late planning ATN’s conference). Yet, I know there are still thousands of traumatized children out there and hundreds of adoptive and foster families who are struggling. So, I say simply to those who have the passion to do something…join us!
Working together, under the umbrella of ATN, we are providing hundreds of families with resource contacts and support annually. We host a national conference each summer that is increasing in attendance and popularity. We education members and other professionals and parents on the issues facing our families, the interventions and therapies that are helping many, and the need for reform in the many systems we deal with – adoption, social services, education, medical/insurance.
But for a stressed-out bunch of parents this work is both highly overwhelming and highly rewarding. The only way to get it down is to link arms and work together. SO, if you’re not a member of ATN, become one. For your $35 a year you will be helping to fund the advocacy, education and support efforts we undertake, and you will get our awesome Hoofbeats newsletter as well.
Wanna do more? Join us as a volunteer. There’s plenty of room; and your ideas are welcomed.
If you’re doing something in your corner of the world, don’t keep it a secret! One of the things we’re doing at ATN is working on an expanded website and a comprehensive database of resources. If you are involved in local support or education efforts or other organization that our members and those who contact us should know about, let ATN know…we’ll be glad to promote your events and network with you.
Individually the plight of traumatized children and the families who love them seems overwhelming. Together…we can make such a difference that one person has to lose sleep.
Next I’ll discuss some of the pitfalls we all face when advocating for traumatized children…
