This book presents specific methods for the physical rehabilitation, mental health restoration, and academic remediation of post-institutionalized international adoptees. The focus of the book is on the neurological, psychological, and educational consequences of complex childhood trauma in the context of a fundamental change in the social situation of development of former orphanage residents. A discussion of after-adoption traumatic experiences includes a critique of certain “conventional” approaches to the treatment of mental health issues and different disabilities in international adoptees. Using his 30-year background in research and clinical practice, the author expertly describes and analyses a range of methodologies in order to provide an integrated and practical system of “scaffolding” and “compensation” for the successful rehabilitation and remediation of children with ongoing traumatic experiences. This is essential reading for researchers and practicing clinicians concerned with childhood trauma, remedial education, and issues of international adoption.

This practice-focused guide introduces The SmartStart Toolbox as a remedial program to help mental health professionals and adoptive parents promote the educational and social development of internationally adopted children aged 4-8. Recognizing the cultural, emotional, and cognitive needs of children who have experienced a fundamental change in their social situation of development following international adoption, The SmartStart Toolbox provides a range of family-based remedial activities which stimulate children's thinking and learning while creating scaffolded attachment opportunities during early interactions with their adoptive families. The volume details the notions of "psychological tools" (Vygotsky) and "mediated learning experience" (Feuerstein) which form the theoretical foundations for The SmartStart Toolbox and offers step-by-step guidance on conducting activities and adapting them to the individual child. The SmartStart methodology can also be used by professionals for diagnostic purposes. This text will benefit researchers in child psychology, as well as clinicians, family therapists, social workers, and educators with an interest in child development, cognitive and language enhancement, and adoption and fostering more broadly. Adoptive parents will also benefit from this book and its focus on themes of attachment, parenting, and the development of social cognition.

Drawing on clinical data obtained through the study of children adopted from overseas orphanages, the author of this cutting-edge text applies the Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) conceptual framework to the analysis of psychological, educational and mental health impact of the early childhood trauma on development. A massive scale of international adoption of children, victims of profound neglect and deprivation, combined with the fundamental change in a child's social situation of development after adoption, offers a valuable opportunity to explore the concept of Developmental Trauma Disorder, in particular, developmental delays, emotional vulnerability, "mixed maturity", cumulative cognitive deficit, and post-orphanage behavior patterns, being presented by many adoptees long after the adoption. By focusing on the neurological and psychological nature of childhood trauma, Dr. Gindis offers a unique approach to understanding the ongoing impacts of DTD and the ways in which any subsequent neuropsychological, educational, and mental health issues might be assessed. Offering an evidence-based exploration of DTD, and a critique of "conventional" approaches to rehabilitation and remediation of international adoptees, this book will be of great interest to researchers in the fields of psychology, mental health, education and child development; as well as clinicians involved in trauma treatment and international adoption.

Drawing on clinical data obtained through the study of children adopted from overseas orphanages, the author of this cutting-edge text applies the Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) conceptual framework to the analysis of psychological, educational and mental health impact of the early childhood trauma on development. A massive scale of international adoption of children, victims of profound neglect and deprivation, combined with the fundamental change in a child's social situation of development after adoption, offers a valuable opportunity to explore the concept of Developmental Trauma Disorder, in particular, developmental delays, emotional vulnerability, "mixed maturity", cumulative cognitive deficit, and post-orphanage behavior patterns, being presented by many adoptees long after the adoption. By focusing on the neurological and psychological nature of childhood trauma, Dr. Gindis offers a unique approach to understanding the ongoing impacts of DTD and the ways in which any subsequent neuropsychological, educational, and mental health issues might be assessed. Offering an evidence-based exploration of DTD, and a critique of "conventional" approaches to rehabilitation and remediation of international adoptees, this book will be of great interest to researchers in the fields of psychology, mental health, education and child development; as well as clinicians involved in trauma treatment and international adoption.

This book presents specific methods for the physical rehabilitation, mental health restoration, and academic remediation of post-institutionalized international adoptees. The focus of the book is on the neurological, psychological, and educational consequences of complex childhood trauma in the context of a fundamental change in the social situation of development of former orphanage residents. A discussion of after-adoption traumatic experiences includes a critique of certain "conventional" approaches to the treatment of mental health issues and different disabilities in international adoptees. Using his 30-year background in research and clinical practice, the author expertly describes and analyses a range of methodologies in order to provide an integrated and practical system of "scaffolding" and "compensation" for the successful rehabilitation and remediation of children with ongoing traumatic experiences. This is essential reading for researchers and practicing clinicians concerned with childhood trauma, remedial education, and issues of international adoption.

Innovative ideas in educational psychology, learning, and instruction, originally formulated by Russian psychologist and educator Lev Vygotsky, are currently enjoying unprecedented popularity in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Russia. An international team of scholarly contributors provides comprehensive coverage of all the main concepts of Vygotsky's sociocultural theory. They emphasize its importance for the understanding of child development, and propose specific classroom applications.

Innovative ideas in educational psychology, learning, and instruction, originally formulated by Russian psychologist and educator Lev Vygotsky, are currently enjoying unprecedented popularity in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, and Russia. An international team of scholarly contributors provides comprehensive coverage of all the main concepts of Vygotsky's sociocultural theory. They emphasize its importance for the understanding of child development, and propose specific classroom applications.