Trauma-Informed Pediatric Practice

In this engaging, approachable book, a pediatrician and a psychologist walk step by step through the transformational process of creating a trauma-informed practice. They begin with essential concepts such as the debate over “ACE screening,” then share how to prepare an organization for change, assess risks to relational health, support caregivers, use resilience-based interventions, and finally how to sustain a trauma-responsive practice. Reflecting the authors’ call for interdisciplinary collaboration, the book is presented as a dialogue between two experts, describing how they collaborated on their own practice transformation—including both the pitfalls and the factors that made the process successful. A growing body of research shows that early relational health is the essential factor in building resilience in children to buffer the effects of trauma and adversity and prevent toxic stress from occurring. This hands-on guide shows how to help build safe, stable, nurturing relationships between children and caregivers, and how to be responsive not just to children’s trauma, but to their parents’ as well. In the hands of Gillespie and King, what may seem like an overwhelming undertaking becomes one that we can—and must—undertake to fully support the health and wellbeing of children. CONTENTS INCLUDE The ACE debate and ethical considerations Building the case for resilience Navigating barriers to safe, stable, nurturing relationships Understanding early relational health Supporting caregivers to strengthen safe, stable, nurturing relationships Building caregiver–child relationships Revamping anticipatory guidance Designing and using efficacious interventions to support early relational health and heal trauma Supporting families that have experienced trauma Addressing physician overwhelm Sustaining trauma-responsive practices