Trauma Experienced by Children Adopted from Abroad

The concept of trauma is relevant for a number of children adopted from abroad. When diagnostic criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are applied to such children, research has shown that quite a few show symptoms consistent with PTSD. René Hoksbergen and Cor van Dijkum argue that adoptive parents and healthcare professionals should be familiar with behavioural and long-lasting difficulties which appear as sequelae of trauma and should be prepared to provide timely and appropriate intervention.