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Essentials of Trauma-Informed Assessment and Intervention in School and Community Settings

Kirby L. Wycoff, PsyD, EdM, MPH, NCSP & Bettina Franzese, MPS, MsEd, PsyD

Purpose:
Understand how chronic stress affects child development and how to conduct trauma-informed interventions
Format:
Book
Qualification level:
B
B
A degree from an accredited 4-year college or university in psychology, counseling, speech-language pathology, or a closely related field plus satisfactory completion of coursework in test interpretation, psychometrics and measurement theory, educational statistics, or a closely related area; or license or certification from an agency that requires appropriate training and experience in the ethical and competent use of psychological tests. Close

Also available! Read an interview with coauthor Kirby Wycoff! Available in the Resources tab above or click here.

Children exposed to early negative and adverse experiences may not think, feel, process emotions, behave, respond to, or relate to others the same way that typically developing children do. If psychologists do not appreciate and understand the effects of trauma in the lives of children, they may be working in ways that are not efficient or effective and may actually be providing a disservice to the children and families they serve. 

This volume provides an overview of the deleterious effects of adverse childhood experiences (also referred to as complex trauma, toxic stress or developmental trauma) on children's functioning, adjustment, cognitive, social-emotional, behavioral, academic, and neuropsychological outcomes.  Complex trauma can alter brain structure and function and throw children off a normal developmental trajectory resulting in a myriad of negative outcomes.

In addition, step-by-step guidelines are provided for conducting trauma-informed assessments, treatments, and interventions. 

  • Understand how early stressors can affect influence normal development and influence child psychopathology
  • Learn how exposure to early life adversity affects the biological stress systems which can compromise normal brain development
  • Become familiar with the functions and neuropsychological constructs associated with brain regions affected by chronic stress.
  • Identify risk factors that can negatively influence children’s behavioral, social, emotional, cognitive, and academic functioning
  • Identify and use trauma-sensitive assessment instruments and protocols
  • Gather background and family history from a trauma perspective
  • Use evidence-based interventions to best meet each child's unique needs

Essentials of Trauma-Informed Assessment and Interventions in the Schools is essential reading for school, clinical, and related psychologists and their trainers.