Childhood Trauma & Brain Development
analyze The Boy Who Was Raised As a Dog text by Bruce D. Perry and Maia Szalavitz.
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following CSWE EPAS competencies and behaviors:
CSWE EPAS Competency 4: Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
C4.GP.B: Identify ethical, culturally informed, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive strategies that address inherent biases for use in quantitative and qualitative research methods to advance the purposes of social work.
Related assignment criterion:
Research and describe at least one culturally responsive intervention to assist the client.
CSWE EPAS Competency 6: Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
C6.GP.A: Apply knowledge of human behavior and person-in-environment, as well as interprofessional conceptual frameworks, to engage with clients and constituencies.
Related assignment criterion:
Apply knowledge of human behavior and person-in-environment to explain skills the social worker needs to engage
with the client.
Culturally Responsive Intervention:
The book highlights the devastating impact of early childhood neglect on a boy's development. A culturally responsive intervention for this case could involve:
- Trauma-informed care: Therapists trained in trauma can help the boy understand and process his experiences. This builds trust and provides a safe space for healing.
- Family reunification (if possible): If the biological family is deemed safe, cultural considerations should be integrated into reintegration efforts. Family therapy that respects the family's cultural background can facilitate reconnection.
- Culturally competent foster care: If reunification isn't possible, placing the boy in a foster home that reflects his cultural background would provide a sense of belonging and identity. Foster parents can receive training on cultural sensitivity and the specific needs of traumatized children.
- Patience: Healing from trauma takes time. The social worker needs to be patient and understanding of the boy's slow progress.
- Non-judgmental approach: The boy may exhibit challenging behaviors as a result of his trauma. The social worker needs to remain calm and focus on de-escalation.
- Play therapy: This technique can help the boy express himself nonverbally and process his experiences in a safe and engaging way.
- Culturally informed communication: Understanding the boy's cultural background and using culturally appropriate language helps build rapport.