The purpose of this guide is to support adoptive and foster families by strengthening the abilities of pediatricians to:

1) identify traumatized children,
2) educate families about toxic stress and the possible biological, behavioral, and social manifestations of early childhood trauma, and
3) empower families to respond to their child’s behavior in a manner that acknowledges past trauma but promotes the learning of new, more adaptive reactions to stress.

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© 2013 American Academy of Pediatrics and Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption