ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that the consequences of Developmental Trauma Disorder reveal themselves in many forms and shapes: behavior is an emergent property of the nervous system, driven by environment and experience, and resulting in both internal and external initiated actions and reactive responses. According to a massive volume of research literature, internationally adopted, post-institutionalized (IAPI) children have more behavioral issues and social/emotional difficulties than their non-adopted peers. Review of the research literature and clinical experience suggest that the major factor influencing IAPI child’s behavior and social/emotional functioning is a combined effect of the pre-adoption profound childhood trauma and the post-adoption traumatic experience in the new family and at school. Some adoptive parents have unrealistically high expectations for IAPI children’s school achievements and behavior, which may account for some behavioral difficulties as well. The security of attachment bonds is the most important alleviating factor against trauma-induced behavior and emotional troubles.
