tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post2906606827385185409..comments2023-07-15T07:24:58.387-04:00Comments on Center for Family Development Blog: Bringing Your Child Home from the Orphanage: ideasArthur Becker-Weidman, PhDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12336450524735140641noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post-5895235465935691382009-07-20T22:06:09.762-04:002009-07-20T22:06:09.762-04:00If you want to learn more about Dyadic Development...If you want to learn more about Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, then you could look at my website:<br />www.center4familydevelop.com<br /><br />also, the article at:<br />http://www.center4familydevelop.com/research.pdf will be helpful.<br /><br />If you can get a copy, or e-mail me for the PDF copy, of the article:<br />Becker-Weidman, A., & Hughes, D., (2008) “Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: An evidence-based treatment for children with complex trauma and disorders of attachment,” Child & Family Social Work, 13, pp.329-337. will provide you with a good description of the evidence-base of this effective an empirically validated treatment.<br /><br />Finally, the book I co-edited, Creating Capacity for Attachment is a sort of treatment manual for this approach.<br /><br />regards<br /><br />ArtArthur Becker-Weidman, PhDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12336450524735140641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post-18010717433800138642009-07-20T20:39:48.902-04:002009-07-20T20:39:48.902-04:00Hi Dr. Becker-Weidman,
I'm about 5 hours east...Hi Dr. Becker-Weidman,<br /><br />I'm about 5 hours east of Toronto. <br /><br />I'm certainly not close to being an expert but I don't see severe behavior like you see out there. For ex. no tantrums, really good sleeping and quick learning. I am interested in learning more about Dyadic Therapy though.<br /><br />Thank you for this dialogue :-). It's nice to have this exchange.<br />MelanieMelaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03954063656725176777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post-67707495764835825692009-07-20T16:53:52.263-04:002009-07-20T16:53:52.263-04:00Dear Melanie
My list of therapists includes sever...Dear Melanie<br /><br />My list of therapists includes several in Canada, in Ontario and near Toronto. My office is about 1.5 hrs from Toronto.<br /><br />regardsArthur Becker-Weidman, PhDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12336450524735140641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post-60079695679389018182009-07-20T15:41:41.000-04:002009-07-20T15:41:41.000-04:00Thank you for your response. I live in Ontario, Ca...Thank you for your response. I live in Ontario, Canada and I assume your list of people are in the US? <br /><br />I did find someone located about 4hrs from my town. She appears to be the most experienced in this kind of stuff. http://www.sandrawebbcounselling.com<br /><br />Thanks again for your input.<br />MelanieMelaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03954063656725176777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post-12332684647430025862009-07-20T15:16:30.945-04:002009-07-20T15:16:30.945-04:00Melanie,
Very good question. The distinction bet...Melanie,<br /><br />Very good question. The distinction between "post-institutionalized" behaviors and "attachment disorders" can best be understood if you think in-terms of a "ven-diagram." Post institutionalized behaviors are the big circle and within that circle would the the smaller circle of attachment disorders. <br /><br />Related to post institutionalized behavioral issues is the clinical construct of Complex Trauma. Complex Trauma refers to early chronic maltreatment within a care-giving relationship. As you can imagine, what often occurs in an orphanage falls within that, primarily as neglect. <br /><br />Complex Trauma and the results of significant orphanage experience can lead to impairment in several domains:<br />Attachment<br />Behavioral regulation<br />Emotional regulation<br />Cognition<br />Biology<br />Dissociation<br />Self-concept<br /><br />I'd suggest that you may want to get a thorough assessment of your child by someone with the appropriate training, experience, and certifications. My website has several people listed and you can also look at the list of registered clinicians at www.attach.org<br /><br />regardsArthur Becker-Weidman, PhDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12336450524735140641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post-12914440077090290652009-07-20T14:52:16.168-04:002009-07-20T14:52:16.168-04:00Wow,that was a quick reply. Thank you. I adopted...Wow,that was a quick reply. Thank you. I adopted my son from Ukraine at 17 mos. I have been to an attachment specialist, however there aren't any in my town who specialize in children adopted internationally. Maybe I'm wrong, but based on what I read, I believe that children adopted from orphanages have more to overcome than other children with attachment challenges. We worked on many activities from your blog post and there was/is progress. We recently experienced setbacks and I'm worried it's because I didn't continue them as frequently. <br /><br />I'm not sure if I can ask you a question here ..... but, how do you know the difference between post institution behavior and attachment disorders. <br />MelanieMelaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03954063656725176777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post-61415540926407883042009-07-20T14:26:08.616-04:002009-07-20T14:26:08.616-04:00It would be more complicated with a toddler becaus...It would be more complicated with a toddler because of the lingering effects of chronic early maltreatment. For example, there may be sensory-integration issues to consider. Certainly attachment issues would also need to be considered and addressed. So, while the general principles described in the article would probably apply, there are a number of additional factors to consider.Arthur Becker-Weidman, PhDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12336450524735140641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post-52245272179185280182009-07-20T14:17:02.104-04:002009-07-20T14:17:02.104-04:00The details of this post also apply to toddlers, r...The details of this post also apply to toddlers, right?Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03954063656725176777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post-39310168558585820492009-06-22T13:46:54.061-04:002009-06-22T13:46:54.061-04:00Dear Mike and Gail,
Good question and thank you f...Dear Mike and Gail,<br /><br />Good question and thank you for asking. If they are teens, it is much more complicated. Issues that will make a difference in how you approach the situation include:<br />A. Has the child been in the orphanage from birth or was the child placed at an older age?<br />B. If placed at an older age, why? Abuse, neglect, loss of caregiver?<br />C. If placed at an older age, what were the child's experiences before placement?<br />D. What was the caregiver:child ratio in the orphanage?<br />E. Might there have been prenatal exposure to alcohol?<br /><br />So, as you can see, it gets complicated. I would recommend that as a first step, you secure a thorough and comprehensive assessment of the teen. You'll want that assessment to be by one who is trained and experienced in assessing such children (see my website www.Center4FamilyDevelop.com for a listing of therapists and for additional details or see www.attach.org for a listing of registered clinicians. You can also look at my DVD on Assessment:<br />http://www.amazon.com/Assessing-Children-Complex-Attachment-Disorders/dp/0982288301/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1245692669&sr=8-3 on Amazon.com)<br /><br />Such an assessment should include an evaluation of or screening of issues the following areas that may be impacted by the teens experiences:<br />Attachment<br />Biology<br />Behavioral Regulation<br />Emotional Regulation<br />Dissociation<br />Cognition<br />Self-Concept<br /><br />In addition, screening for neuropsychological issues and sensory-integration issues should also be included.<br /><br />Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. I hope this response was helpful.Arthur Becker-Weidman, PhDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12336450524735140641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post-13788490301034909312009-06-22T13:34:48.691-04:002009-06-22T13:34:48.691-04:00And if they are teens when they come home. What is...And if they are teens when they come home. What is the list for that?Mike and Gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07856830836204198993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881396263864308560.post-82118847806293452932009-06-20T23:20:27.856-04:002009-06-20T23:20:27.856-04:00This is such a great post! I am going to link to t...This is such a great post! I am going to link to this on Monday.Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05811548306583601019noreply@blogger.com