Question: In Chapters 10-12, van der Kolk explains how children who experience chronic trauma are often misdiagnosed, and how trauma memories differ from ordinary memories. These chapters raise important questions about accurate diagnosis, the nature of memory, and what trauma-informed care requires.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the risks of misdiagnosing developmental trauma as ADHD, depression, or other disorders? How might this affect a child's future?
2. How does van der Kolk describe the difference between ordinary memory and traumatic memory? Why is this distinction important for social workers? Need Assignment Help?
3. What do these chapters suggest about how social workers or other helping professionals can advocate for clients who are often misunderstood in medical, educational, or legal systems?