Sidran Speakers can address the subject of child and adolescent victims from numerous vantage points. See a sampling below. Presentations can be tailored to your specific needs. Contact us to let us know what your interests are!

• Supporting Traumatized Children
  Increasingly in our society, children are abused by people they know and are exposed to violence at home or in their neighborhoods. Evidence regarding the long-term health impact of childhood trauma has been presented clearly and in a compelling way through the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study. Studies show that adult survivors of childhood trauma account for a majority of individuals in treatment for psychiatric disorders and substance abuse, but the effects of traumatic experiences are often overlooked in treatment. Early recognition of trauma can allow helpers to address the needs of the child and prevent both future victimization and a myriad of other difficulties for these children. Sidran Speakers provide information about recognizing traumatized children, differential diagnosis, and techniques for helping children cope and develop skills for healing and thriving.
  
  
• The Importance of Attachment
  Attachment literature holds a special hope for trauma survivors with particular attachment difficulties. Sidran Speakers outline the fundamentals of attachment and how helpers can use this theory to understand survivors’ dilemmas with relationships, parenting, and safety. We will work with the markers of secure attachment and provide tools for supporting secure, healthy attachment.
  
  
• Educating the Distressed Child
  More and more, school personnel are recognizing distressed children in the classroom. The challenge of addressing their needs and delivering on the demands of education seem to be incompatible. Sidran Speakers can help schools to identify distressed children before they are labeled disturbed or disabled. We explore methods for classroom, group, and individual intervention to support these children. We also address the impact of this work on helpers.
  
  
• Addressing the Sexual Abuse of Boys
  Male victims of trauma may be the most marginalized among survivor groups. The stigma associated with male victimization has perpetuated the idea that boys aren’t abused very often, that only men victimize, and that men are prone to victimizing others. Sidran Speakers address the real picture of male victimization, why boys don’t tell, why there aren’t enough services, and how to break the stigma.
  
  
• Treatment of Severe Trauma and Dissociation in Children
  Dr. Joyanna Silberg, considered an expert in the field of dissociation in children, presents an overview of this complex topic. She addresses diagnosis, interviewing, testing, and the special problems of male children and adolescents with DID. Various treatment strategies are discussed—art therapy, group therapy, and pharmacology—as well as the promotion of integration. She also explores the role of adults other than therapists—such as parents, pediatricians, and school personnel—in dealing with this complex issue.
  
  
• Family Court and Child Protection: Flaws and System Failures
  Increasingly, it has come to the attention of child abuse specialists that family courts face severe obstacles in making determinations that protect children from abuse. The underlying values and processes on which family courts operate and the methodology and procedures of investigation may not be the most ideal for getting to the root of whether a child is being abused by a parent. Presentations focus on ten big mistakes that are made by courts that lead to children being unprotected and strategies for implementing solutions.
  
  
• The Restorative Approach: Residential Child Services
  The Restorative Approach(TM) is a treatment system for congregate care programs treating children and adolescents. It is designed to translate current knowledge of trauma, the brain, and how people heal into our day-to-day work with children, adolescents, and their families and is a replacement for traditional points and levels. The Restorative Approach emphasizes the healing power of the relationship. When children do something that hurts others, the response includes an opportunity to make amends, and opportunities for learning skills that will help the child avoid similar problems in the future. Instead of "doing time," the child is learning skills and reconnecting with people. The Restorative Approach offers hope for a more healing environment, less restraints and staff injuries, and a more meaningful experience for both staff and children. It is also more transferrable to the outside world, where levels and points do not exist. The Restorative Approach restores the focus to the most important and powerful aspects of our work with the children, families, and staff, which are mutual and respectful caring relationships. This training includes the basics of the approach, tips for transforming programs toward trauma-informed care, and how to manage challenges that arise in the process.
  
  
• Risking Connection®
  Risking Connection is a comprehensive program that will help you respond effectively to trauma survivors. See www.riskingconnection.com for complete information