Many children moving into adoption have experienced some form of developmental trauma.\u00a0 Understanding what the effects of early trauma are can help you as an adoptive parent.\u00a0 What is developmental trauma, you ask?\u00a0 It is defined as the result of abuse, neglect and\/or abandonment or other significant adverse experiences in the first three years of life. Developmental Trauma can arise from in utero stresses, parental separation, abuse, neglect, and other adverse experiences.\u00a0 It can undermine healthy development, affecting the child\u2019s readiness to learn, to make emotional attachments, the way a child views himself and the world, and consequently his\/her behaviour.\u00a0 There is an increasing awareness of the importance of trauma-informed schools and professional services to be better able to serve children who have experienced Developmental Trauma.<\/p>\n
The Adoption Council of Ontario, parents, youth and several multi-sector professionals from across Ontario have joined together to form the\u00a0Developmental Trauma Action Alliance (DTAA)<\/strong>. With funding support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Alliance has formed as a collective to bring about transformative and systemic change to improve the long-term outcomes and overall well-being of children, youth and adults who have experienced Developmental Trauma.\u00a0 The Alliance has launched a provincial campaign to raise awareness and understanding, provide training and advocate for services and support designed to help individuals heal from Developmental Trauma.<\/p>\n YOU ARE INVITED to attend one of the DTAA ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS<\/strong>.\u00a0 They are\u00a0FREE<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0OPEN TO THE PUBLIC<\/strong>, and are of specific interest to<\/p>\n o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Adoptive parents, foster parents, parents with legal custody and persons providing customary care<\/p>\n o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Individuals and families with lived experience of childhood and intergenerational trauma<\/p>\n o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Professionals working in adoption, child welfare<\/p>\n o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Educators<\/p>\n o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Health professionals<\/p>\n o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Child, youth and adult mental health professionals<\/p>\n o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Professionals working with children & youth<\/p>\n o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Youth and family justice professionals<\/p>\n o\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Other social service professionals (addictions, shelters, welfare)<\/p>\n DATES, TIMES & LOCATIONS\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Four have already been held in North Bay, London, Ottawa and Barrie.<\/p>\n