The Impact of Early and Ongoing Trauma on Child and Family Development, Brain Growth and Development, and Mental Health 

Module 6 focuses on the important role of trauma, including trauma from separation, on brain development, behavior, and mental health of children experiencing adoption or guardianship. Lessons provide a primer on brain development and the impact of early adverse experiences on children; the importance of shifting thinking from "what's wrong with you" to "what happened to you"; understanding triggers of past trauma and therapeutic parenting strategies to help parents manage trauma triggers and build trust, safety, and healing; skills and strategies for helping children make meaning of their trauma stories and work through their trauma experiences; and collaborating with mental health therapists to provide evidence-informed therapies to support children's healing.