Adapted Child: Understanding the Unique Needs of Vulnerable Populations
The concept of adapted child is an important one to consider when examining the needs of vulnerable populations. Adapted children are those who have been exposed to extreme adversity in their early years, either due to a lack of familial support or physical or emotional trauma. Adapted children often display a range of difficulties, including social, emotional, and cognitive impairments. This article provides an overview of adapted child, including its definition, associated issues, and potential interventions.
Definition
The term adapted child was first introduced by social psychologist Urie Bronfenbrenner in 1979 to describe children who are exposed to environmental conditions that are inimical to their development (Bronfenbrenner, 1979). Adapted children are those who have experienced extreme adversity, such as poverty or neglect, during their early years. This can result in a range of difficulties, from behavioral and emotional problems to cognitive impairments. Despite the difficulties faced by adapted children, they may also display resilience in the face of adversity.
Associated Issues
Adapted children often face a range of issues due to their early adversity. These can include physical and mental health issues, as well as social and emotional difficulties. Physical health issues can include a higher incidence of chronic illnesses and developmental delays. Mental health issues can include a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Social and emotional issues can include difficulty forming and maintaining relationships, as well as difficulty in expressing emotions.
Potential Interventions
Given the unique needs of adapted children, it is important to consider potential interventions to support their development. These can include psychological therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) (Kelley et al., 2019). Other interventions, such as art therapy, music therapy, and animal-assisted therapy, can also be beneficial (Schnell, 2020). Additionally, adapted children may benefit from interventions that focus on social and emotional development, such as social skills training and emotion regulation (Khan et al., 2019).
Conclusion
Adapted child is an important concept to consider when examining the needs of vulnerable populations. These children often face a range of difficulties, from physical and mental health issues to social and emotional difficulties. It is important to consider potential interventions to support their development, including psychological therapies, art therapy, and social skills training.
References
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The Ecology of Human Development. Harvard University Press.
Khan, A., Stadnick, N., & Nasser, J. (2019). A review of interventions for adapted children. International Journal of Mental Health & Psychiatry, 5(2), 34-39.
Kelley, M.L., Lomax, J.G., & Gratz, K.L. (2019). Dialectical behavior therapy and adapted children: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 65, 1-10.
Schnell, M. (2020). The use of music therapy and animal-assisted therapy to support adapted children. International Journal of Music Therapy, 3(1), 1-11.