Through no fault of their own, At Risk children have been exposed to trauma, domestic violence and have been removed from their biological parents. Through no fault of their own these children have been exposed to drugs and alcohol prenatally, born already with the effects of alcohol , ‘P” or marijuana . This exposure affects the emotional development of the child. The prenatal drug and alcohol exposure and family history of violence affects the child’s ability to manage his emotions and behaviours. The child is often disassociated, unable to cope with the world around him, and as a result reacts in irrational behaviour.
These children are often looked after by grandparents who are themselves ill. With limited support and progressive behavioural issues, these families are unable to cope, yet do not fall under the umbrella of social support services. Predominantly from low socioeconomic backgrounds these families are in need of constructive help.
If left without support , these children run the risk of being excluded from school due to non-compliant behaviour. Excluded from primary school, these children fall further behind in social , emotional and educational development . It is not uncommon for children to be excluded from school for 3 or more months, during which time a placement into a new school is being negotiated. The children in the meantime are still receiving no support and the grandparents are further exhausted with the responsibility of trying to provide home schooling in the interim period.
Without support and therapy these children will fall victim to a spiralling behavioural patterning that will result in juvenile misdemeanours and eventually incarceration.
You can help….
Help fund a clinic that provides free support for children in need. Children who require emotional or behavioural support. Families who need respite care and support. Educational programs to help children gain an understanding of their emotions and learn how to moderate their behaviours. Early intervention, to curb the spiralling behavioural patterning , so that children are identified and assisted before they start offending. Educational and behavioural programs to assist youth offenders change their behavioural patterning. You can help give these children hope. You can help change these children’s lives. You can help keep our community safe.
How to help….
Email, call…your friends, associates, local businesses, churches and local councils. Fund the clinic, fund a child. Any financial help will help a child take a different view of life, give him hope and provide him with positive change. See www.childbehaviourist.co.nz for more details.