Summary
The relationship between children and caregivers in early developmental stages impacts infants’ future behaviors, feelings, and emotions. Research on childhood parenting assumes that child neglect and abuse interfere with the psychological statuses of ill-treated individuals (Lamb, 2019). The reading on The Boy who was Raised as a Dog equips its audience with knowledge regarding Reactive Attachment Disorders (RAD) and other psychological illnesses from poor parenting. James’s story and relationship with her foster mother impact learners’ knowledge about navigating child trauma and care systems.
Impacts of Early Childhood Trauma in Risk and Reward Assessment
Early childhood trauma affects children’s ability to interact and bond with people. A child diagnosed with RAD exhibits unexplained withdrawal, sadness, and irritability, impacting their bonding in social environments. Childhood trauma distances children from toxic environments. James, for example, was uncomfortable in the presence of Merle based on his past experiences with the toxic woman. The mother’s increased aggressiveness reduced the child’s trust in her. The foster mother attempted to kill James at least two times. James explains the disadvantages of poor parenting and negative associations between foster caregivers and adopted children as a primary cause of child trauma.
Childhood trauma victims develop immunity to rewarding organizations and individuals. According to Perry and Szalavitz (2017), childhood trauma leads to less response in the presence of comfort. Therefore, the association between Stephanie and James was brightened by the rewarding behaviors and environments at the ERS. James portrayed different traits in school, home, and the homebuilder program. Psychiatrists and primary clinical officers used rewarding bonding to identify the patient’s actual symptoms. Childhood trauma caused by parental neglect and abuse force children to run away from abusive environments in search of refuge and help. Merle’s choices to remove the life-supporting machine, force James into antidepressants, and throw the child from the second-floor balcony persuade readers into believing the impacts of family problems in child trauma.
Importance of Trauma-Informed Child Welfare
Society’s critical step in limiting the spread of trauma starts with installing awareness programs on assessing and reporting psychological disorders. Lamb (2019) argues that the healing or reduction of child trauma depends on the role of the responsible organization in sensitizing the public on crucial matters of the disorder. On the one hand, Williams (2020) reasons that assessing trauma helps affected families and responsible organizations understand childhood trauma’s cause, effects, and symptoms. On the other hand, Perry and Szalavitz (2017) align the knowledge of trauma to impact the informed practice of the illness’s treatment framework. Therefore, it is essential to understand trauma when assessing the condition because such information guides psychiatrists in developing an adequate response. The case scenario, for instance, builds the reader’s perceptions about trauma and the realities associated with the condition. The situations in the hospital and at James’s home educate the book audience on early childhood trauma diagnosis preferences and remedies.
The primary concepts about early childhood trauma influence the accuracy of reporting allegations linked to the psychiatric situation. Falsehood and pretense in reporting traumatic symptoms reduce the accuracy of diagnosing the right mental disorder among children. Perry and Szalavitz (2017) emphasize that the knowledge of early childhood trauma enhances doctors and mental health officers to synthesize the DSM-5 diagnostic requirements. Information about early childhood improves the detection of threats, malice, and pretense among abusive parents who force children into depression. After interacting with Merle and James, the primary clinician detected lies about James’s feelings, attitudes, and acts by the foster mother. The patient’s reactions in the rewarding environment enabled the emergency nurses to realize Merle’s ill motives and encounter with James. The nurse handling the patient detected James’s mother as the main problem of the child’s changing behaviors. Her reporting framework enabled the medical team to isolate James from kinship care and family preservation to Children’s legal advocacy organization care.
Challenges of Assessing Trauma and Navigation Decisions
Experts trained to assess trauma and the stress from the disorder encounter challenges in realizing effective communication in reporting child abuse and neglect allegations. First, the similarity of the symptoms of early childhood trauma and RAD complicates the assessment of alleged cases. Secondly, Williams (2020) highlights the ongoing conflicts among families limits experts in trusting reporters. Knowing who is telling the truth between the suspect and the victim of neglect is difficult. Thirdly stigmatization of trauma survivors prevents affected children from sharing their encounters with child abuse and neglect cases. Finally, limited resources among nongovernmental organizations and other government agencies prevent the attainment of navigating decisions in the allegation of neglect and abuse of children.
How Systems of Care Respond to the behaviors of Traumatized Children
Systems of care react positively and quickly to the traumatizing behaviors of affected children. Foster care systems must assure children of safety; Williams (2020) guarantees security for children diagnosed with early childhood trauma. Such agencies provide measures for keeping children safe at home and school. The availability of caregivers in foster care settings prioritizes the wellness of patients. Schools must stop bullying, stereotyping, and blaming games on the conditions of traumatized children. Children’s legal advocacy organizations must protect the rights and freedom of affected children to boost their self-esteem.
References
Lamb, C. S. (2019). Constructing early childhood services as culturally credible trauma-recovery environments: Participatory barriers and enablers for refugee families. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 28(1), 129–148. Web.
Perry, B. D., & Szalavitz, M. (2017). The boy raised as a dog: And other stories from a child psychiatrist’s notebook — What traumatized children can teach us about loss, love, and healing. Hachette UK.
Williams, A. (2020). Early childhood trauma impacts adolescent brain development, decision-making abilities, and delinquent behaviors: Policy implications for juveniles tried in adult court systems. Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 71(1), 5–17. Web.