Trauma and its impact on individuals with neurodevelopmental differences

Join us for Trauma & its impact on individuals with neurodevelopmental differences with Jennifer Abbanat.Jennifer says:I am a wife and a mom to three neurodivergent kids (ages 20,18, and 15), each with their own unique needs and challenges. Two of my kids are autistic and two of my kids have Tourette’s Syndrome. All three have also had medical complexities, with my two youngest needing ongoing medical care for chronic illness since birth. I have had to learn how best to advocate and support each of them within the different systems of society (esp medical and educational systems) over the years by essentially creating their own individual “playbook.”After less than 3 months of first grade, we chose to take our son out of school as they were not appropriately meeting his complex needs and in fact, were creating more distress for him.I “unschooled” him for 9 years and allowed him to guide me as to what he needed both for his learning and development, but more importantly, his overall well-being as a human. I just wanted my son to be happy and experience joy! He has been an excellent tour guide!He entered back into our public school in 9th grade through an Independent Study School where he will graduate high school in June. I truly believe every child can be, successful; no matter how that looks. Our kids need the adults in their life to be present, love them unconditionally and to never give up on them.Despite the challenges over the years, I have found it vital to enjoy the ordinary moments that are often overlooked when families face extraordinary circumstances.Through the years, I have taken to heart what Dr. Bruce Perry says, “People, not programs, change people.” This is one reason I started a local parent support group, something that didn’t exist when I was going through the early years and seeking helpful resources. I have also joined with a few other “moms” to bring support, resources and education on a larger scale to our community called Yolo Neurodiverse Network. Our focus is on the people who work with, care for and support neurodiverse people.It can be very hard on families, but I never lose sight that my son experienced some very serious adversity early in his development, and that this is “why” we may see him struggle in areas of life. This guides me to understanding more about relational neuroscience, Attachment Theory, how early adversity can impact the developing brain, and how this impacts everything in his life. Trauma informed, brain aligned, neuroaffirming practices need to be the framework to appropriately support our kids in all settings and especially for those who have vulnerable nervous systems and developmental delays.In February 2023, I will be completing the Traumatic Stress Studies 7mo course with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, through the Trauma Research Foundation and in 2021 I completed Dr. Dan Siegel’s 6mo course in Interpersonal Neurobiology. I have also completed over 100 hours of professional development in trauma, special education and advocacy, behavioral health, Poly Vagal Theory, neurodevelopmental disabilities and differences, and the many therapy modalities that can help support an individual in the trauma healing process, ie, play therapy, expressive arts therapy, somatic experiencing therapies, and importantly therapies that focus on body up approaches rather than top-down cognitive approaches.In addition to the Traumatic Stress Studies course, I am also in a 10-month LEND Trainee program (Leadership in Education of Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) through the University of California, Davis at The MIND Institute.Support the show