IN THIS ISSUE:
Embracing Understanding: “My Journey of Being Diagnosed with PTSD in adulthood”
Developmentaltraumaand diagnosisofneurodiversityAnOccupationalTherapist’s Perspective
UnderstandingandSupportingChildrenwith AutismSpectrumDisorder
CoECTNews
Editor'sNote
MeettheTeam!
BridgingtheGap: UnderstandingandSupportingChildrenwithAutism SpectrumDisorder
TheMinefieldsandMysteriesofDiagnostics
EmbracingUnderstanding:“MyJourneyofBeingDiagnosedwithPTSDin Adulthood”
TheNATPMensGroup
AsktheExperts
Transitions:SayingGoodbyetoSummerandHellotoAutumn
AnOccupationalTherapist’sperspectiveofdevelopmentaltraumaand diagnosisofneurodiversity
COECT NEWS Recentnewsfrom SAfERFostering SAfERhasnowfullysettledintotheirnewofficesin Cardiffaftertheirmove.Additionally,SarahNaish recentlymetwithfosterparentsfromSouthand WestWalesandjoinedthemattheirsupport groups.Thefeedbackfromfosterparentswho havetransferredtoSAfERFosteringshows appreciationforthetherapeuticdifferenceitoffers andthewrap-aroundsupportforfostering families.
WellbeingNews OurnewTrauma-informed
Thefirstcohortforournewcustomised qualification,theLevel3CertificateinTraumaInformedLifeStoryWork,beganinSeptember.We arelookingforwardtomeetingthemfortheirfirst dayofpracticaltrainingatourtrainingcentrein GloucestershireinNovember.Thiscustomised qualificationhasbeenexternallyaccreditedbythe nationallyrecognisedawardingbodyNCFECACHE andithasalsobeenaccreditedbytheACCPH whichisaprofessionalbodythatverifiesand accreditsCounsellors,Coaches,Psychotherapists, andHypnotherapists Thesecondcohortforthis coursewillstartinFebruary Youcanfindmore informationaboutthiscourseontheInspire website
TheHavenParenting&WellbeingCentrehadanincrediblyexcitingsummer WereceivedanominationfortheGlobalCorporateLiveWireAwards,andwe arethrilledtosharethatwehavebeenselectedasthewinnerinthecategory ofCoachingandTherapyClinicoftheYearfor2024/2025
Weextendourheartfeltthankstoeveryonewhonominatedus
FosteringNews WearedelightedtoannouncethatTRUEFosteringisafinalistinthe2024Children& YoungPeople’sAwardsintheFosteringCategory!
TRUEwouldliketoextendtheirthankstoalltheamazingchildren,youngpeople., fosterparentsandstaff.Wishusluckfor24October,whenthewinnerwillbe announcedattheAwardceremony!
NEWSCHOOLSANDEDUCATIONSETTING TRAINING ThisautumnmarksthelaunchofourSchoolsandEducationalsettingstraining. Ourtrainingiscloselyalignedwiththe"A-ZofTrauma-InformedTeaching"book bySarahNaishetal.Weofferacomprehensiveguidetounderstandingand implementingtrauma-informedpracticesineducationalsettings.School trainingdateswillbeavailablefromOctober2024 Formoreinformationgoto ourNATPschoolspagehere AlternativelyyoucanscantheQRcodeabove
Editor’sNote WelcomeEverybody, We hope that the start of the school term has gone smoothly for you and your children or young people, if you have any The summer holidays can be long, and whether that has beenpositiveornot,ittakesacertainamountofendurancetogetthroughit.InSeptember, thereisasenseofchangeandrenewal.Itmarksthestartofanewtermandanewseason, bringingrenewedhopeforthefuture.Thistimeofyearcanoftenleadparentstoexperience compassion fatigue and burnout. The school transition and the busyness of the first week cansometimesbethetippingpointfrombeingokaytobeingburntout However,embracing thechangeinroutinecanalsobeahelpfulwaytotakecareofyourself Youmayevenfind new pockets of time in your daily routine for a well-deserved break to recharge. Perhaps it couldevencreateanopportunitytositinaquietplacewithawarmdrinkforfiveminutes.
This issue focuses on diagnoses and developmental trauma, and we are excited to introduce you to our contributors for this issue We are joined by Dr Libby Gaskell who has writtenanarticleontheminefieldsandmysteriesofdiagnoses,andexploresthechallenges of distinguishing between developmental trauma, autism spectrum condition (ASC), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, highlighting the complexities and similaritiesbetweentheseconditions
SavannahHarderisanOccupationalTherapist,whohaswrittenanarticlewhichexploresthe impact of developmental trauma on neurodiversity and the challenges in distinguishing between the two. She also discusses the potential benefits and drawbacks of receiving a diagnosis, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and its impact on accessing supportandresources
Jessica, a therapeutic social worker and TBRI practitioner has written an article which focuses on the importance of connection in healing trauma for adopted children on the autism spectrum. She introduces the Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) therapeutic parentingapproachandprovidesspecificstrategiestohelpparentseffectivelyconnectwith their children Our contributor Rowan, also shares their journey of acceptance, treatment, andprogressinmanagingtheirPTSDsymptomsfromearlylifeexperiences.
Also, Dave, who has set up and runs NATP Men's Group, writes about establishing a supportive online community for therapeutic dads, offering advice and encouragement for navigating therapeutic parenting Through a private Facebook page and monthly Zoom meetings, members can share experiences and receive support without pressure, helping themfeelmoreempoweredintheirparentingjourney.
If you would like to submit any questions for our next magazine’s Ask the Experts section, pleasecontactusattips@coectcouk WewillbebackinNovemberwithIssue12!
Sair, Sarah, and The Team at The Centre of Excellence in Child Trauma
MeettheTeam! TheCentreofExcellenceinChildTraumaismadeupofateamofexpertswhohave essentialreal-lifeexperience.WeareAdopters,FosterParentsandBioparentsofneuro diversechildren,andalsoworkasprofessionalsinthefield.
ExecutiveEditor-SarahNaish
SarahisaTherapeuticParent,an Adopteroffivesiblings,former FosterParent,retiredSocialWorker, BestsellinginternationalAuthor, KeynoteSpeakerandfounderof threeIndependentTherapeutic FosteringAgencies
ManagingEditor-Kathryn Talbot
KathrynworksacrossCoECT, specialisingincommunications andpublicrelations
Contributor-SavannahHarder Savannahgraduatedin OccupationalTherapyin2019from UWEBristolafterworkingformany yearsholisticallywithhighsupport needsadultsinresidentialsettings SincebecomingaqualifiedOTshe hasfocussedonpaediatrics;firstin theNHSthenintheprivatesector Shecurrentlyworksinspecial schoolsandspecialisthigher educationsettingsaswellasseeing clientsintheirhomes
Contributor-RowanAderyn
RowisaLeadBusinessArchitectin theFinancialServices Theyarealso afounderofthecharityFostered Futuresandacareexperienced activist Withapassionandexpertise inleadinginclusivechangeto improvebusinessesand communities.
Contributor-DaveEdwards
ExecutiveEditor-SairPenna Sair(Sarah)isaTherapeuticParent, Trainer, TherapeuticParentingCoach. DirectorofNATP,TheHavenParenting andWellbeingCentreandInspire TrainingGroupandauthor,Sairworks acrossCoECTsupportingfamilies.
Contributor-SarahDillon
SarahisaTherapeuticParent,an AttachmentTherapist,Keynote speaker,formerchildincare,Author (TherapeuticParenting)and Headof TherapeuticServices(Fostering)
Contributor-DrLibbyGaskell Libbyisacharteredpsychologistwho hasworkedwithchildren,young people,andtheirfamiliesforanumber ofyears Libbyoffersspecialist therapeuticinterventionsand assessmentsforfamilieswhohave beenaffectedbytraumaand attachmentdifficulty,andalsooffers consultationandtraininginthese areastovariousprofessionalteams
Contributor-JessicaSpenceley Jessicaisatherapeuticsocialworker withover20yearsofexperience helpingadoptiveparentsnavigate theirparentingjourneysusingthe attachment-based,traumainformedparentingapproachof TBRI®
DaveisaConflictManagement&Point-of-ImpactCrisisInterventionTrainer Heworks withinFamilyServicesspecialisinginenablingparentswiththeknowledgeand implementationofde-escalationstrategies,andsupportsparentsandagenciesincasesof childonparentviolent Davespecialisesinmen’smentalhealth,empathiclistening,and therapeuticparentingstrategiestosupportthoseheworkswith
BridgingtheGap:Understandingand SupportingChildrenwithAutism SpectrumDisorder Written by Jessica Spenceley
Connectionisattheheartof healingfromadversityand trauma Commonstrategies forconnectionlikeeye contact,touch,expressing empathy,andactively engaginginanactivityallhavetheaim ofcreatingstrongerbondswithyour child
Yet,forachildwithAutismSpectrum Disorder,thesesortsofstrategies, howeverwell-intentioned,mayactually raisetheirfeelingsofanxiety,confusion, andfear Whatyoumightthenseeare meltdowns,increasedself-stimming, withdrawal,andavoidance
Thetherapeuticparentingapproachof Trust-BasedRelationalIntervention (TBRI)understandstheimpactofearly adversityandtrauma,aswellas diagnoseslikeAutismSpectrum Disorder(ASD) Therearealotof strategiesthatTBRIcanoffertohelp youconnectandcreateamoresecure baseforyourchildwithASD.Herearea fewyoumightliketotry:seetheneed, bealongside,andlessismore.
SeetheNeed ChildrenwithASD,andchildrenwho haveexperiencedtrauma,oftenhave sensorysensitivities. Without awareness,thesecanbecomea challengeandbarrierinyour relationship However,whenyouare abletoseeyourchild’ssensoryneeds
andmeetthem,youcreateabridge forconnection.
Togaingreaterawarenessaround whatmightbehappeningforyour childonasensorylevel,askyourself: 1)Whatdoesmychildseek? 2)Whatdoesmychildavoid?
Exploringthesequestionsgivesyoua lotofhelpfulinformation For example,ifyounoticethatyourchild cravesmovement,incorporate activitiesthatallowyourchildto movearoundwhilealsoconnecting withyou.Thesecanbethingslike goingforafamilybikeride,jumping onthetrampolinetogether,or playingfrisbeeinthepark These sortsofactivitiescanhelptomeet yourchild’ssensoryneeds,aswellas theirneedforyourpresenceand
connection
Theaimhereistohelpyourchild feelsafeandtostrengthenyour bond Showyourchildthatyou areableandwillingtomeetthem wheretheyare,andthatyou’llgo attheirpace.Thatwillgoalong wayinbuildingconnectioninyour relationship
BeAlongside Nowthatyouareholdingyour child’ssensoryneedsinmindand aregoingattheirpace,trythis simpleshiftinhowyouengage withyourchild:bealongside
Whatthismightlooklikeissitting nexttoyourchildwhenyou’re talkingtothem,ratherthanbeing
Photo: ©Coect via canva.com
infrontandfacingthem Itcouldbe gettingdownonthefloorwithyour childandbuildingyourownLego tower,insteadofaddingtotheone they’recreating.Itmightbeeasingin withashouldertouch,ratherthana full-oncuddle Youarestilltogether andengaged,butinanindirectway
Whenyouusethestrategyofbeing alongsideyourchild,you’reactively helpingthemtomanagetheir sensoryexperiencesandemotions andremainregulated.
Thisisasmallshiftthatcanhave significantresultsinbuildingthe bondsofconnectioninyour relationship.
LessisMore Oneofthemostcommonwaysthat adultstrytobuildconnectionis throughwords However,childrenwith ASDandchildrenwhohave experiencedtraumaoftenhave difficultyprocessingspeech When parentsbecomewordyandusealot ofdialogue,it’snotuncommonfor
childrenwithASDtobecomeanxious andreactive Allofthosewordsare justtoomuchtoprocess
Holdinmindtheideathatlessis more.Forexample,ifyou’retalking toyourchildrenaboutanactivity youthinkwouldbefuntoexploreat theweekend,tryusingafew sentencesratherthanseveral paragraphs’worthofwords.The ideaistoengageandgetyourpoint across,withoutoverwhelmingyour childwithtoomuchinformationto process
Byallmeans,useyourwords,but usethemsimplyandintentionally
TBRIcanhelpyoutobetter understandyourchild’sneeds,while providingyouwithstrategiesto createconnectioninawaythat supportsyouruniquefamily Throughdevelopingincreased awareness,makingsimpleshifts, andaddinginsomestraightforward tools,TBRIcanhelpyoutofeel empoweredasyousupportyour child
Ifyouwouldliketolearnmore aboutTBRI,readThe ConnectedChildbyKaryn Purvis,DavidCross,andWendy LyonsSunshine.
Throughhercompany, NurturedBelonging,Jessica helpsadopterscreateastrong therapeuticparentingbasefor theirchildrensothattheycan healfromearlyadversityand trauma.Gainadditional insights,includingmoreon TBRI®at https://nurturedbelongingcom
JessicaisalsoanAssociate withTheHavenParenting& WellbeingCentre www.thehavencentre.co.uk
The Minefields and Mysteries of Diagnostics Written By Dr Libby Gaskell
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Autism
Spectrum Condition (ASC) Thesedays,wecanreadofsomany different mental health and developmental condition diagnoses, with their descriptions, criteria, and ‘symptoms’ at the end of our fingertips online. The sources from where we get our information can sometimes not be well empirically validated, but even via reliable and valid websites, the sheer amount of information can be mind-boggling! Even the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM5), which documents all known ‘mental disorders’ for the use of qualified practitioners, is almost 1½ inches thick (yes, I’ve checked)andhasVERYthinpages
Whatmakesthissheeramountof informationavailabletouson variousconditionsevenmore complex,isthatsomanyofthese conditionsandtheirdescriptions soundsimilartoeachother Those claimingtobeonethingbasedona person’sbehaviours,appeartobe
Pathological
Demand Avoidance (PDA) Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) somethingelseafewpageson So,it raisesthequestionhowwemight navigateandpullapartthesevarious diagnoses,whichisparticularly problematicwhenwearesupporting achildwithdevelopmentaltrauma (DT).
Developmentaltrauma,asthename suggests,affectsvariousavenuesof achild’sdevelopment.Whenreferring toDTinthisarticle,Ialsoinclude referencetoattachmentinsecurity, whichoftenaccompaniesDT.
Whenachildisexposedtotraumatic, frightening,andconfusing experienceschronicallyacross developmentalmilestones,itmakes totalsensethattheirdevelopment maybedelayed,hindered,or complicatedinsomeway.DTaffects achild’ssocial,emotional,relational, cognitive,andevenphysical development
However,neuro-developmental conditions,suchasautism spectrumcondition(ASC)or attentiondeficithyperactivity disorder(ADHD),byvirtueofbeing a‘developmentaldisorder’,also affectschildren’sdevelopmenton asocial,emotional,relational,and attimescognitivelevel Sohowdo weseparateoutDT(basedon traumaticlifeexperiences)from otherthingssuchasASCorADHD (organicconditions)?Asa clinicianwhoisoftenaskedto undertakethistaskIcansay;with greatdifficultyattimes!
Despitethis,belowIhave attemptedtooutlinesome commonoverlapsinDTandASC andADHD Icouldn’tpossibly,in thisarticle,covertheseoverlapsin anygreatdepth,buttheywill hopefullyservetogetthemind thinkingandbeingcuriousofsuch behaviours.
Photo: ©CoECT via Canva.com
ADHDandDT:
Puttingthingsinneatboxes,asI’vedone opposite,mayofferasenseof organisationandreassurancetosuch complexpresentations However,ifyou aresupportingachildwithDT,pleasebe awarethatachildcanindeedhave traumaANDoneoftheseco-occurring conditions Therefore,itisnotalwaysa caseof‘either-or’,itissometimesa caseofholdingandmanagingTWO conditions,maybeevenTHREE! Furthermore,parentingchildrenwith additionalneedsisinherentlymore challengingandstressful,andtherefore ifaparenthasreducedemotional resourcesthiscouldactuallyimpacton theformationofasecureattachment. Thecomplexitygoesonandon
Thereare,ofcourse,otherconditions thatcouldalsobediscussed.For example, personalitydisordersinolder adolescentsandadultsoftenhave behaviouraltraitsthataresimilartoDT, somuchsothatresearchoften highlightsthatasignificantproportion ofpeoplewithemotionallyunstable personalitydisorder(EUPD)alsohad multipleadverse/abusiveexperiencesin childhood(arewejustapplyinga differentnametothesamesetof behaviourshere?) Postnatal depressionisalsoafurthernoteworthy conditiontomentionwhentherealso existstraumaticdevelopmental experiencesforthatparentintheirown upbringing,asthebirthofachildcould elicitvulnerabilitiesintheirown attachmentsystemandconjureburied trauma Pathologicaldemand avoidance–aspecificprofilelinkedwith ASC–alsohassimilaritieswithDT aroundtheneedforcontrol,butwith differingunderlyingreasonsforsuch
Myadvicewouldbetoalwaysensure youseeksupportfromasuitably qualifiedpractitionerifyouarefaced withanyofthesediagnostic conundrumsastheycanbe,asperthe titleofthisarticle,abitofaminefield andmystery Thosewhoarehighly experiencedandknowledgeablein theseareasarebestplacedto undertaketheprecarioustaskofteasing outthesedifferenttraitsfromeachother andestablishingthecorrectclinical conclusions.Itisofcoursemost importantthatthechild(oradult)being supportedhastheirneedsmetandthat everyoneinvolvedintheirsupportis clearwhattheirvulnerabilitiesare, regardlessofhowtheyaredefined
©LGaskelll2024
©LGaskelll2024
Thatsaid,thereisindeedarolefor diagnoses,insomecasesmore thanothers,whichIwishto highlight Adiagnosisissometimes akeytoaccessadditionalsupport, theycanincreaseshared understandingandempathy,and self-understandingandgrowth
Correctdiagnosisisalsoimportant toensureappropriatetreatment andinterventionsareputinplace tosupportsomeone,wheresupport isrequired.Forexample,ASCisa life-longconditionand intervention-ifitisevenneededmayincludesupporttomanage anyperceiveddifficulties.Whereas theinterventionsforDTare different,asanemphasisisplaced onrepairandthehealingof attachmentsystemsandthe
developmentofreflectiveand logic-drivenpartsofthebrain. Thewrongdiagnosticconclusion duetoalackofknowledgeand distinctioncouldsetoffin motionapathofutter therapeuticchaos!
Insummary,weneedtobe mindfulofpotentialdiagnostic overlaps Aswithmostthings,it isestablishingabalanceinour approachtosuchmattersthatis significant;weneedtorecognise theimportanceandpotential valueofadiagnosis,whilstalso ensuringwedon’tallowany diagnosistoovershadowthe beautyofindividuality.
Have you listened to the CoECT podcasts?
TRAINING DATES JANUARY/FEBRUARY JANUARY2025
Introduction to Therapeutic Parenting
Manchester
Thursday 9th January
Introduction to Attachment
Manchester
Tuesday 14th January
Therapeutically Managing Violent Behaviour
Plymouth
Tuesday 21st & Wednesday 22nd January
Compassion Fatigue
Portsmouth
Tuesday 28th January
2025 ScantheQRcodeorgoto https://www.naotp.com/podcast-1 tofindoutmore.
FEBRUARY2025
Introduction to Therapeutic Parenting
Sussex
Wednesday 26th February
Introduction to Attachment
Bristol
Wednesday 5th February
Therapeutically Managing Violent Behaviour
Nottingham
Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th February
Compassion Fatigue
Merseyside
Tuesday 11th February
Programme Benefits
This qualification helps the learner to develop the necessary skills to create a safe and supportive environment for the children, young people, and their families
This will enable them to successfully implement a strategy that prioritises the child's wellbeing and helps them create a positive narrative about their life story.
Accreditation & Certification information
Our course has been accredited by NCFE CACHE, an awarding organisation recognised by the qualification regulators for England and Wales. NCFE CACHE’s regulators are the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England and the Welsh Government in Wales.
Accreditation & Eligibility to join ACCPH
The Qualification is also accredited by The Independent Professional Body and Register for Counsellors, Coaches, Psychotherapists and Hypnotherapists (ACCPH) This means that on successful completion of the qualification, you will be eligible to join their accredited association.
Training Days
Day 1 In-person training - Wednesday 6th November 2024, 9:30 am - 4: 00 pm at our training centre in Gloucestershire - details will be given on enrolment
Day 2 Online Live Training - Monday 10th February 10 am- 2:30 pm
Not enrolled but interested in attending Day 1 to learn more about Traumainformed Life Story Work?
Contact inspire@coect.co.uk for more details
EmbracingUnderstanding: MyJourneyofBeing DiagnosedwithPTSDin Adulthood Written By Rowan Aderyn
Thosefourlittlelettershung intheair:PTSD. "ButIcan’thavePost TraumaticStressDisorder Ihaveneverbeentowar," Inaivelyprotested Mypsychologist’s knowingsmilehintedatarealityI hadnevercomprehended
Iwasathirty-somethinghighly successfulprofessionalinthe financialservicesindustry Witha shedloadofqualificationsanda coupleofeducationalorworkrelatedawardssatonmyshelf My wonderfulhusbandandamazing childrenwerethecentreofmyworld. HowhadIfoundmyselfhere?The small,nondescriptroomofthe Swanseaburnsunit,hearingIwas livingwithamentalhealthillness.
Afewmonthsearlier,whilemaking homemadesoup,thebottomfellout ofthejug.Spillingthecontentsover myhands,legs,feet,andstomach.I rushedtotheshowertotryandcool myburningskin Theicywaterfelt likeathousandbeestings.The resultingburnsweren’tthatbad,but afterweeksofdoctors'visitsand dressings,myhandwasstillnot healing.Ifoundmyselfinthe Swanseaburnsunithavingtheskin scrapedawayfrommyhand This waswhatmybodyneededtoheal A fewweekslater,Iwasfinallyableto getbacktoworkandlife.Oratleast that’swhatIthought
Inthefollowingmonths,anxiety seepedintoeverydayactivities.I wasn’tsurprisedthatIfeltnervous
cookingorpouringthekettle.But thereweremoreandmore occasionswhenmyheadbeganto spin,myarmswouldstarttotingle, andIcouldfeelthatnauseous feelingtakingoverme Icouldn’t figureoutwhatwascausingmeto feelsounwell.
Ididn’trecogniseitasananxiety attack Mybreathingwasalways steadyandlevel.Ineverfeltoutof breath,whichiswhatIhadassumed apanicattacklookedlike Isimply feltill,soillthatoneday,Igotupand leftmyfriendsittingaloneinacafé justasthefoodarrived.IwassureI wasabouttopassout Idrovehome andspentanagepacingbackand forth,neckingglassesoforange juice,wonderingifmybloodsugars wereoff
Foralongtime,Ihonestlybelieved somethingwasphysicallywrong.I didn’tthinktogethelpuntilitstarted toimpactwork Ifoundmyselfsitting onmyhallwayflooratfiveinthe morning,unabletomove,mychest tight,frozen,stuckaloneinthedark I triedeverythingIcouldtomusterthe abilitytoleavemyhouseandmake theflightforwork.ForaslongasI couldremember,workhadbeenmy safespace,andIdidn’twanttolose that
Myhusbandsuggestedperhapsit wasanxietyrelatedtotheburn I didn’tbuyit,butIwaswillingtotry anything.Iwasluckyifyouare treatedbytheSwanseaburnsunit,
forthreeyearsafteryoucanreach outtotheirin-housepsychology team Imadethephonecall,anda fewmonthslater,afteracoupleof sessions,Iwassittingacrossfroma brilliantandinsightfuldoctorbeing toldIhadPTSD Wediscussedthe burns,butithadquicklybecome apparentthatthelatesteventwas simplythestrawthatbrokethe camel’sback
Whatlaybehindmyincreasing inabilitytotolerateheatwasafear ofbeingtrapped,ofnothealing,of notbeingabletomoveforwardwith mylife.Theweeksandweeksof visitingadoctorforthemtopeel awaymydressingstoexposemy rawoozinghandandseeingno change,noimprovement.Thetime forcedoffwork,notbeingableto typeortraveldidn’thelpeither Iwas madetositwithmythoughts.To slowdownmyconstantdrive forward Whatwasactuallybehind thefearofbeingstuckwasalong historyofbeingbullied,traumatised, andabused.IalwaysknewIcarried apastthathauntedme,butI thoughtIhadmanagedtooutrunit Atleasttokeepaheadofitenough thatitwouldnotimpactmypresent.
Mytherapistwaswonderful,helping meworkthroughsomeelementsof thebullyingIsufferedinhighschool andtheimpactsoftheburn Aftera fewmonthsofavoidingthehard stuffbuttacklingthesenseofbeing stuck,Irecoveredmyusuallevelof functioning Mysleepwasstill
terrible,andIwouldstilljumpatany soundorpersonenteringaroom But Icouldcontroltheanxietyenoughto functionandlive Thetherapist helpedmeregainmyinteractions withfriends,andslowly,Imanaged totacklecookingandheat.Ifounda newlevelofnormal,addedsome extratoolstomykit,andwentback tolife
Iwasneverabletoopenuptoher abouttheotherelementsofmypast ShealwayssaidthatwhenIwas ready,shewouldbehappytowork throughitwithme Theyearsof growingupincare,thedecadesof abusefrommyparents Every occasionIwasclosetolosingmylife. EverytimeIwastoldIwasworthless AllthetimesIfeltmyskincrawlormy bodycollapse Theywereallthere, behindtheburn.Thephysical,sexual, andemotionalabuseIhadburied wasfightingitswaytothesurface
Atfirst,thediagnosiswasscary.I thoughtIhadsucceededinavoiding thedamageofmypast Ididn’twant toadmitthatIfailedtoprotectmy mentalhealth.Ihadconvinced myselfthatthesymptomsIlivedwith everyday,evenbeforetheburn, werejustwhatyoushouldexpect withachildhoodlikemine.Ifounda newfoundrespectforthefragilityof mymentalhealth Makingsouphad beenthethingtobringmyworld tumblingdownaroundme.Idecided totacklethisnewfoundvulnerability withaddedvigourandpositive bolstering
Ithreweveryself-helptoolIhad everlearnedintoplayatonce I establishedextrasupportsand crutches,hopingIcouldmaintain mymentalhealthwithoutever havingtogobackanddealwiththe reallyhardstuff.Ineverwantedto workthroughthedemonsthat hauntedmeatnight
Eventually,Iwasgratefulforthe diagnosis Itprovidedmewith directionandknowledgetomanage mymentalhealth Sincethatfirst boutoftherapy,Ihavereceived amazingsupportfromanother brilliantdoctor Ittooktimeformeto bereadytoworkthroughthehard stuff.NowIamsogladIstopped runningandstartedprocessing Todaymysleep,happinessand wellbeingarebetterthantheyhave everbeen.
LivingwithPTSDisanongoing journey,butIhavelearnedtoshape
somethingpositiveoutof allthepain Bysharing mystory,Ihopeto inspireotherstoseek helpandfindtheirpath tohealing Toallow othersnottofear diagnosisbutto embracethe understandingwhich canunlockour happiness Ifyouwouldliketofind outmoreaboutRowan’s journeyyoucanfindtheir firstpublishedcollection ofpoetry,Cast,onAmazon This autumnwillseethereleaseof theirfirstbook,TenThingsEvery FosterChildWishesYouKnew:A GuidetoFosteringHope Tohear whenitisout,signuptothe watchlistat www.RowanAderyn.com
Rowan’sburnhealing.
We’re looking for short break foster parents
Ideally in these key areas:
**East Midlands **
**East Anglia **
**The South West **
Fantastic opportunity for those that would love to foster, but not all the time.
Why not do something amazing with your weekends, support our existing increadible team of foster parents, and provide children with incredible memories?
Full therapeutic support provided, alongside our ground-breaking, quality training.
TheNATPMen’sGroup Written By Dave Edwards
TheNATPMen’sGroupwas setupin2018toofferasafe, privateonlinespacefor TherapeuticDadstobe abletogetsupportandadvicefrom othertherapeuticdads Wesupport adopters,birthparents,SGOs,kinship andfosterdadsaswellas grandparentsiftheyareinvolvedin thesupportoftheirchildrento therapeuticallyparent
ThereisalsoaprivateNATPMen’s GroupFacebookpagewithover200 members,wherepostscanbeshared andquestionsaskedwithoutany judgementorrecriminations.
Thebackgroundtothesettingupof thegroupwasmyexperienceofbeing anadoptivefather,whowas strugglingwiththeconceptof therapeuticparenting,andthe differencestothestandardwayIwas parented.Idiscusseditwithmywife whosuggestedthattherewouldbe lotsofotherdadsthatwerehaving similardifficulties,whowouldbenefit fromagroupbeingsetuptosupport them Therewasalsotheknowledge thatmencanfinditdifficulttoshare thefactthattheyarestruggling
WhenIdidtheoriginalresearchfor theMen’strainingin2018,the percentageofsuicidesintheUKthat weremenwas75%,andthiswasstill thecasein2022.(1)Therewere1.76 milliontalkingtherapyreferralsfor depressionin2022with665%ofthese beingforwomen.(2)Therearealso barrierstomengettingsupport includingdifficultiescommunicating aboutemotions,lackofchildcare experiencepriortobecominga parentandafearoffailureand embarrassmentatnotknowing
Themonthlymeetingsareheldvia zoomonthefirstTuesdayofeach monthbetween8and9pm Tojoin themeeting,youjustneedtogoonto theeventspageoftheNATPwebsite. Thiswillsendoutazoomlinktouseto
accessthemeeting
Theethosofthegroupisthatit doesn’tmatterwhetherthereis1 attendeeor20,everyonewillbe giventheopportunitytosharehow theyarefeeling,anythingtheyare currentlyfindingdifficult,or situationstheyhaveovercome. Thereisnopressuretospeak,aswe recognisethatsometimesjust listeningisenoughandsome parentsarenotabletoshareat thatmoment
Wedon’tpromisetoresolve people’sissues,butwearealways readytolistenoffersupportandif one
attendeeshashadsimilarissues, theymaybeabletoadviseon possiblestrategiesoraddsupport agenciesintothechatforall attendeestosee
Webelievethatthosemenwho joinusfeelmoresupportedand wegivethemthestrengthtokeep going,evenwhenthingsaretricky intheirfamilies
References (1)
https://wwwonsgovuk/peoplepopulationandcommu nity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suici desintheunitedkingdom/2022registrations (2)
https://digitalnhsuk/data-andinformation/publications/statistical/nhs-talkingtherapies-for-anxiety-and-depression-annualreports/2022-23
Interested in joining the Men’s Virtual Support Group?
Find out more by visiting the NATP website
Photo:
ASKTHEEXPERTS Letourteamofexpertswithfirst-handexperience,guideyou throughsomeofthosetrickyTIPmoments!
ThisissuewearejoinedbySarahDillonwhohasansweredyour questions.
AGfromLeedsasks... “Why won’t my adopted daughter (5) settle at night? She keeps coming downstairs to check what her older sister is doing! “
SarahDillonreplies:
Itishighlylikelythatshe desperatelywantsandneedsto knowyouwillstillbeavailablefor herevenwhenyouleavetheroom Shemayfear‘sharing’youwithher siblingandbeworriedthatyou mightforgetherwhenyouleave. Trynamingtheseneedswithher (wonderingoutloud).Alsoyou couldtryusingasandtimer.These arereadilyavailableonAmazon andcostajustfewpounds.Iwould beginwithatenminuteoneand graduallyincreaseto20mintimer Thechildwatchesthesandfall
throughthetimerandyoulet herknowyouwillreturnonceall ofthesandhasgone (Keepa closeeyeonthetime).Youthen returnfor2mins,reassure,hug, kissandturnoveragain.This routinebuildssynapsesintheir brainsandhelpsthechildto knowyouwillreturnandhaven’t leftorforgottenthem Ifshe callsyoubeforethetimerhas completedthenjustsay‘oh that’sashamebecausewewill nowhavetostartitallover again’ Watchingthesandalso
The Haven Parenting & Wellbeing Centre
Book a Free 20- minute consultation to discuss your family’s needs. www.thehavencentre.co.uk
helpsthemtomoveoutofthe anxiouspartoftheirbrainsand eventuallyfallasleep Definitely worthatry Goodluck!
Doyouhaveaquestionabout acertainbehaviouryourchild displaysorasituationwhich seemstricky?Writeintousvia theemailtips@coectcoukto getyourquestionansweredin theAsktheExpertssection
Transitions: Saying Goodbye to Summer and Hello to Autumn WrittenbySairPenna
sthewarmthofsummerfades andthecrispairofautumn beginstosettlein,September offersauniqueopportunityto resetyourlifestyleandprepare yourhomeforthecoolermonths ahead.Thistransitionalperiodis perfectforhunkeringdown,creatinga cosyenvironment,andreflectingonthe changesyouwanttomakeinyour dailyroutine.It'satimetoembracethe seasonalshiftandmakepositive changesforthemonthsahead
TheNeedforaLifestyleReset Septemberoftenfeelslikeafreshstart Withtheendofsummerholidaysand thebeginningofanewschoolyear,it’s anaturaltimetoreassessyourgoals androutines
ReflectonYourGoals:Takestockof whatyou’veachievedsofarthisyear andwhatyoustillwanttoaccomplish Thisactofreflectionisnotjustabout settingoradjustingnewgoals,it's aboutacknowledgingyourprogress andfeelingempoweredtotakeonthe monthsahead
EstablishNewRoutines:Asthedaysget shorter,it’sagoodtimetocreate routinesthatalignwiththechanging season Thismightincludeadjusting yourexerciseschedule,mealplanning, orsettingasidetimeforhobbiesand relaxation
PrioritiseSelf-Care:Withthehustleand bustleofsummerbehindyou, Septemberisidealforprioritisingselfcare Thisisatimetovalueyourself, whetherit'stakingupanewhobbyor ensuringyougetenoughrest
MakingYourHomeCosy
Creatingawarmandinvitinghome environmentiskeytoembracing autumn
Septemberisidealfortidyingupyour livingspaceafterthebusysummer months Withkidsbackinschooland regularroutinesresuming, declutteringcanhelpestablisha morestructuredandefficienthome environment,makingthetransition intofallsmoother.Astheweather cools,wetendtospendmoretime indoors Afairlytidyandorganised homecanmakethisindoortimemore enjoyableandcomfortableforyour family.
Declutteringandorganisingcanhelp createawelcomingenvironmentand reducestressandanxiety.An organisedspacecanalsoimprove mentalwell-being,increasing productivityandfocusondailytasks. Also,declutteringcanpositivelyaffect healthbyreducingdust,mould,and mildew,whichcantriggerallergies andasthma.Acleanandorganised homepromotesahealthierliving environmentforyouandyourloved ones
Anorganisedhomeprovidesthe perfectbackdropforadding seasonaldecorations Itletsyou fullyappreciateandenjoythe autumnaltouchesyoubringinto yourspace,creatingawarmand invitingatmosphere
ThePsychologicalBenefits Theactofmakingyourhomecosy inSeptembercanhave psychologicalbenefitstoo.By adjustingyourlifestyleand creatingacosyhome,youcan welcomethechangingseason withpurposeandcomfort.These smallchangescansignificantly impactyouroverallwell-being, whethersettingnewgoals, establishingroutines,orsimply makingyourspacewarmand inviting Thisistheperfecttimeto hunkerdown,reflect,andprepare fortheupcomingmonths.
Photo:©CoECTviaCanva.com
An Occupational Therapist’s perspective of developmental trauma and diagnosis of neurodiversity Written By Savannah Harder
Developmentaltraumacan significantlyimpactemotional, mentalphysicalandspiritual health Whichcanpresent
symptomsthatresembleother disorders Fromanoccupational therapy(OT)perspective, understandingthislinkiscrucialfor accurateassessmentandeffective intervention Thisrequiresany professionalinvolvedindiagnosingto befamiliarwiththeimpactoftrauma andhowitpresents
Traumaimpactsonkeyareasofthe brainandautonomicnervoussystem.It affectsreactionsto(perceived)threats, memoryformationandsensory processing Itwillimpededecision making,impulsecontrolandemotional regulation Itespeciallyaffectsthe prefrontalcortex,whereitimpactsona setofskills,(executivefunctions)such asimpulsecontrol,planning,organising, problem-solving,taskinitiationand perseverance,adaptationtochange andmetacognition(self-awareness).
Allneurodivergenceimpactson executivefunctions,(especiallyADHD) thustherewillalwaysbeanoverlapwith developmentaltraumapresentation Wemustconsider,areweobserving impulsivityorhypervigilance? Inattentionordifficultieswith concentration?Manylabelshavebeen placedonchildrenwithpoorexecutive functions,suchaslazy,forgetful, oppositionaletc Thisinturnoften enhancesexistingtrauma,aschildren andparentsfeelmisunderstood,not heard,seenorsupported.
Traumainfluencesneurotransmitter metabolismwhichaffects motivation,moods,emotionalregulation,memoryprocessing, sleep,anxietylevelsandalsofight flightresponseandregulation This canapplytomanydiagnoses,soa fine-toothcombisrequiredfor differentiation
Thelistgoeson,developmental traumacanaffectsensory processing,delaymotorskillsand languageacquisition,cause difficultieswithcoordinationand evenimpactmuscletone. Attachmentdisordersalsoprovide fertilegroundsfortraumatic experiences,creatingbehavioural symptoms,suchasdysregulation, withdrawal,anddifficultiesinsocial communicationandinteraction
Withsomuchoverlaphowdowe distinguishbetween neurodivergenceand developmentaltrauma?
Neurodiversityinaneurotypical worldcanbelikepushingsquare pegsintoroundholes–theedges comeoff!Thisisanotherlayer addedtomanyotherpotential traumasthatmayaccumulatefrom wartoabuseandneglect Trauma mayalsobederivedfromancestral epigeneticmemory,in-utero influencesorabsorptionfromthe environment
Recentlyawarenessoftraumaand neurodivergencehasincreased, withAutismawarenessleadingthe way.Thisisgoodnews,butitalso createschallenges Traumais complexandrequiresanequally complexunderstandingofhowit canpresent/betriggeredin individuals Biomarkerscanoverlap andareoftennotpartofthe diagnosticprocess Thedemandfor diagnosishasincreasedandit seemsthatwedon’thaveenough trainedprofessionalstomeetit Itis time-intensivetocreateathorough developmentalhistorythat considerstraumaaswellas neurodiversitytraits Diagnosing canbelucrative,andreceiving negativeresultsmightdiminish customersatisfaction
Inmyexperienceneurodiversity anddevelopmentaltraumamostly gohandinhand,oneimpactingthe other Itisnotalwayseasyto distinguishbetweenthem Itis possibletomisdiagnose developmentaltrauma,anxiety, moodandattachmentdisordersas neurodiversity So,whatdowedowiththis dilemma?AsanOTmyangleis holisticandfocussedonfunction Doesadiagnosissupportachildto dowhatitneedstodo,wantstodo and/orisexpectedtodo?
Photo:SavannahHarder
Adiagnosisisfunctionalifit addressesdifficultiesandhelpsto navigatetheroutetoimprovement Thiscanbethroughaccessing supportintheformofstrategies, funding,information,education communicationaids,etc
Ihaveseenmanycaseswhere greatreliefwasexperiencedonce anaccuratediagnosiswasgiven Parentsknowwheretolookfor information,supportand networking Resourcesforsensory processing,languagedevelopment, environmentaladaptation, ‘scaffolding’dailylifeanddietary adjustmentsetc canbe consideredandimplemented Thesetoolscanbebeneficialto boththosewithtraumaand neurodivergence Relativesand educationalstaffcanbetter understandthechild’sneedsand strategiesbeimplemented consistently Acorrectdiagnosis canleadtobetterunderstandingof theselfandothers,toperceiving traitsasstrengthsandtogaining theconfidencetonavigatedayto daylife
OccasionallyhoweverIhaveseen examplesofnon-beneficial diagnosis Individualsfelttheyhad beenputinboxes,stereotypedand robbedoftheirindividualidentity. Insteadofreceivingmoresupport theyreceivedless,forexample(Oh, youcan’tdosports,youhave dyspraxia).InrarecasesIhave
seenadiagnosisbeingmisusedfor receivingfundingorevenfor disablingachild–‘Theycan’tdo thatbecausetheyhaveAutism’.
Insufficientknowledgeor considerationoftheimpactof developmentaltraumacanleadto misdiagnosis,ineffectiveuseof strategiesandresources,unhelpful medicationandtheriskoffurther traumatisation.Most neurodivergentconditionscome withco-morbiditiesthatfurther ‘muddythewater’
So,withallthisoverlapandthe potentialnegativeresultsof diagnosis,whendoweneedit? Wherewouldwebeifadiagnosis wasn’ttheprerequisiteforreceiving funding?Istraumaconsidered sufficientlywhendiagnosing?
Hereismypragmaticandholistic OTresponse.
Whateversupportsachildtodo whattheyneedtodo,wanttodo and/orisexpectedtodoisthe mosthelpful Whicheverrouteleads toyoufindingtherightstrategies, supportnetworkandmeansto createsafetyandstabilityisthe rightone Anyapproachthatpoints towardsincreasedunderstanding, betterconnectionwithselfand others,and(posttraumatic) growthagoodone Everyperson’s journeyisanindividualprocessand needstobetreatedassuch. Traumaiswidespread,causedby
manyfactorsandinfluencedby theindividual’sexperience, circumstancesand environment.Especiallywithno initialtraumaticincidentitcan behardto‘pinpointreasons’ thatexplainsymptoms However,inmyexperience, traumaisprevalent,anditis almostalwayspresentinthe neurodivergentpopulation
Traumaexacerbatesoreven causesmanysymptoms–and hidesothersduetonumbing and/ormasking.So,myparting wordsarethattraumaalways needstobeaddressedfirst EVERYnervoussystemALWAYS seekssafetyfirst!OTwithits holisticapproachconsidering theindividual,theenvironment (social/physical)andaimto improvefunctioningthrough meaningfuloccupationsiswell placedtosupportthejourney intowell-being
SavannahHarder, IndependentOccupational Therapist Youcancontact Savannahbyemailingherat savannah@therapyhivecouk
