TOUCHING TRAUMA AT ITS HEART

Empowering Trauma-Informed
Families, Schools, and Communities

Attachment & Trauma Network, Inc.

OUR MISSION

Promote healing of children impacted by trauma by supporting their families, schools, and communities.

The Attachment & Trauma Network, a 2016 Angel in Adoption® Recipient “Trauma-Informed “Trailblazer” has been the VOICE for traumatized children and their families since 1995. Through our mission of Support – Education – Advocacy, we seek to improve the lives of children impacted by early childhood trauma, abuse and neglect, and prenatal exposures in their families, schools and communities. We believe that trauma-informed, attachment-focused therapy and teaching parents therapeutic parenting strategies are significant factors in helping our children overcome their early traumas and build resiliency and healthy relationships. We believe that trauma-informed schools are the best educational environment for all children, but especially the significant population of children impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Support. Education. Advocacy.

8th Annual Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools Conference

Largest Gathering of Trauma-Informed Educators
Join the largest gathering of Trauma-Informed Educators dedicated to building Trauma-Responsive schools gathering in Atlanta, Georgia and virtually from February 16-21, 2025. Registration starts September, 2024. Watch for early bird pricing!

THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR WORK

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ATN Resources

Parenting

Therapeutic Parenting - Empowering Trauma-Informed, Attachment-Focused Caregiving

Schools

Creating School-wide Trauma-Informed Reform led by Trauma-Focused Educators

Resource Directory

A comprehensive online directory of trauma-informed, attachment-focused helping professionals

PD Collaborative

Are you seeking trauma-informed Professional Development Training or Consultations for your School?

TSS Conference

Annual Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools Conference.

Podcast

Listen to our Bi-monthly Podcast on Trauma-Informed and Therapeutic Strategies

Shop ATN

Shop for resources and tools to empower and support children, families, schools and communities

Certification

Anyone working with children who wants to understand early childhood trauma and the hope of resilience.

What is Early Childhood Trauma?

Trauma is defined as an “event outside normal human experience”. These events are generally emotionally painful and distressing, and overwhelm a person’s ability to cope, leaving him/her powerless. Feeling powerless is an important concept when trying to understand trauma – especially as you apply it to trauma in children. Many think of trauma as the result of a specific “event.” But, being impacted by trauma has more to do with how your brain and body react to the situations.  Early childhood trauma often falls into the realm of chronic traumatic stress, especially in situations where children are exposed to repeated neglect, abuse and maltreatment.

What is healthy attachment?

Attachment can be defined as a reciprocal relationship. In child development, it generally refers to the relationship that develops first between the infant/child and his primary caregiver (often Mother). The quality of this attachment impacts the child’s physical, emotional, psychological and cognitive development. This early relationship shapes the child’s basic ability to trust and how positively or negatively he views the world, himself and others. Attachment also influences a child’s ability to self-regulate.  Children with attachment disorders have been impacted by significant trauma.  Children impacted by significant trauma need stable relationships to help them heal. 

Disorders-Treatments

The most important component in helping a traumatized child to heal is a strong, therapeutic parent (primary caregiver). You can learn more about becoming a Therapeutic Parenting.

The second most important component is trauma-sensitive, attachment-focused therapy. ATN actively encourages ALL families to work with therapists who specialize in attachment & trauma.

The field of childhood trauma is evolving.  Children impacted by traumatic stress and those with attachment challenges may carry many diagnoses (or none at all).  PTSD, ADHD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Developmental Trauma, Conduct Disorder and more.  Focusing on healing the trauma and building resilience through attachment/relationships is critical for all of these children.

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