Looking for reading inspiration?

Six books that I've found invaluable - in case you are wondering where to start or which will be most applicable, I've summarised below:

1. The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog - the single most brilliant book I've read to inform a deeper understanding of trauma on the brain.  Essentially case studies from the perspective of a child psychiatrist.  Note - some of the realities of the cases are upsetting.  All of them are handled sensitively and used to take the reader on a journey that makes topics such as sensitisation, tolerance and neuroplasticity, accessible to non-specialists.

2. Attachment Disorder - Bullet Point Guide - a nice primer for understanding some of the "why" behind the behaviours young people demonstrate that, when taken at face-value, appear to be illogical.

3. The Body Keeps The Score - a look at how PTSD and other forms of trauma are "stored" in the body and brain.  

4. Anger Is My Friend - a super-accessible book on anger, how we display it and how it feels.  Great to use as a prompt with young people and should be in all secondary school libraries.  Use it for circle-time discussions or PSHE lessons.

5. Therapeutic Residential Care - might be too niche for some, but a wonderful look at expanding trauma-informed approaches into the home environment.  Honest and highly-skilled reflections.

6. Treating Traumatic Stress in Children & Adolescents - depends how deep you want to explore!  Some lovely activities at the back, can be used by mentors/counsellors, etc.  Great section on understanding how parents/carers feel and the challenges of regulating themselves as well as their child.  Not designed for the education market, but it is all applied theory rather than deep neuroscience, so check it out!