Does My Child Have PTSD? Has Been Released

by JoleneOct 14, 2015Does My Child Have PTSD?, Products18 comments

I am happy to announce the official release of Does My Child Have PTSD? What to Do When Your Child Is Hurting from the Inside Out. Those of you who pre-ordered the book on Amazon should receive copies soon. Those who were waiting to order it after the book release need wait no longer. You can also take a look inside the book at Amazon. It is also available at independent bookstores and at chains like Barnes & Nobles. Or if you’d like a signed copy, please contact me for details and pricing information.

What’s in Does My Child Have PTSD?

For those of you who prefer to look before you leap, here’s a peek at the table of contents page.

Lest you feel intimidated by the fancy-schmancy words in the table of contents, rest assured that every one of them is carefully and clearly explained within chapters and then listed in the glossary. And every single chapter begins with a family or teaching story where kids are featured front and center.

My Goal While Writing Does My Child Have PTSD?

My goal in the writing the book was not only to pass along information about PTSD, but also to explain the information in an easy-to-understand way to parents, educators, and others who care about kids but aren’t part of the mental health care community. Therefore I was very pleased when Christopher Robbin of Familius, the house that published the book, emailed to say it received a starred review from Publishers Weekly (PW). That was exciting news because a starred review in PW, the leading book review source in the United States, means it should get more attention and hopefully get into the hands of more families who need the information in it. But I was even more pleased because the review confirmed that the book’s goal was accomplished, as this short quote shows.

In a single sentence, Philo can make a dramatic statement (e.g., trauma “changes the very structure of the brain”) and then evenly explain the physiology behind it. Though occasionally heart-wrenching, the book is organized so simply and logically as to be easy to follow and digest.

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By Jolene

Jolene Philo is the author of the Different Dream series for parents of kids with special needs. She speaks at parenting and special needs conferences around the country. She’s also the creator and host of the Different Dream website. Sharing Love Abundantly With Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities, which she co-authored with Dr. Gary Chapman, was released in August of 2019 and is available at local bookstores, their bookstore website, and at Amazon.

18 Comments

Sylvia Phillips on October 27, 2015 at 8:25 pm

Congratulations, Jolene! It sounds like an amazing book! I wish you much success! I’m sure your words of wisdom will help many people!
Jolene on October 26, 2015 at 5:14 am

Stef, Of course you can enter for yourself. Since the book came out, several adults have said it describes them and led ti greater understanding, too. Jolene
Stef on October 24, 2015 at 7:24 pm

Hi. Can i enter myself? Im 31 yrs old with multiple complex medical issues, having had at least 40 surgeries. Ive been able to accomplish more then anyone thought possible, but have always struggled. Finally discovering the answers behind my past history and what i need to face moving forward.

Stef
Canada
Nina on October 24, 2015 at 12:47 pm

I am eager to read this book. We are currently in intense IEP meetings. Using the needed support of a sped attorney, I commented to her that I am quite concerned re: a statement my son made about the current teacher. “my teacher is like that one teacher, mom”. I know instantly what he was referring to. My heart sank as I recalled the unkind, abusive, lack of understanding that former teacher was like. Our attorney asked me just yesterday, ” have you had your son checked for PTSD? I am seeking help for this immediately.
Jolene on October 23, 2015 at 6:19 pm

Tiffany, I’m so sorry to hear of all you are dealing with. The next few posts in Different Dream’s Thursday series about PTSD will talk about finfing good treatment. They might help you get what you and your daughter need. Jolene
tiffany fassio on October 23, 2015 at 1:18 pm

im a single mom of a 9 yr old beautiful girl who was born with 4 congenital heart defects,has had 3 open heart surg and is now struggling with extreme anger issues,ive asked for help overthe the last 3 yeas.its affected her life mine n made us both feel so alone.i suffer from ptsd and just want to help her b free from more hurt than she needs,but i dont know how, im from a broken home,my mom died when i was 7 n i was given away like trash,i dont know how to regulate emotions but need help so badly
Mirinda on October 23, 2015 at 10:02 am

I heard you speak at the IFAPA conference last spring and would love to read your book!
Kathy Kuhl on October 23, 2015 at 8:03 am

After hearing Jolene Philo speak on this topic, I was eager to read this book. It is excellent, clear, and very helpful. My review is here:
http://www.learndifferently.com/2015/10/13/kids-trauma-and-ptsd/
Kathy on October 23, 2015 at 7:56 am

Good Morning,
Thank you for the email contest! Recognizing my anxiety..I am understanding one of my g-children who I see has similair traits. I heard your WCRF interview with Brian and Kathleen in the morning and am delighted to see your book being published.
Kathy
Samantha Franklin on October 23, 2015 at 6:52 am

As an adult adoptee and also mother to my former one pound preemie this book sounds intriguing and needful.
Maggie Gale on October 23, 2015 at 6:42 am

Well done Jolene for addressing this issue. We left the hospital with a 2 and a half week old “repaired” baby. Little did we realise that at the same time we were starting out on the journey which would still be ongoing 12 years later. The visible effects of trauma are definately not the only effects. Thanks for helping us to become more sensitive parents.
Maria Bennett on October 21, 2015 at 5:31 pm

I’m interested in reading this book because I would like to read and compare my 5 year old daughter’s situation to others to determine if she may suffer or be high risk of having PTSD. My daughter is a survivor of twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) and suffered a stroke at 23 weeks gestation. She is partially paralyzed on her right side and has 5 major surgeries since birth. Each surgery has been rough on her emotional and physically.
Jolene on October 19, 2015 at 6:42 pm

Anita,

Your little grand daughter has been through so much. You are entered into the contest, and I will contact you via private email about treatment options.

Jolene
Jolene on October 19, 2015 at 6:40 pm

You are entered, Jennifer!
Jennifer C on October 19, 2015 at 10:45 am

I would love to win because I have wondered if my daughter may be dealing with PTSD from medical procedures.
Anita Peeples on October 16, 2015 at 2:08 am

I heard your interview on WRCF 103.3 in Cleveland on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015. It was an answer to a prayer. My granddaughter who is currently 5 years old was born without a rectum and her esophagus was not attached to her stomach. Up until the age of 2 she spent the majority of her life in and out of the hospital. Near the age of 2, she went into a coma and almost died after a bad surgery. During her coma, we played relaxation music thinking it would soothe her. Now when she hears that same music she would begin to cry uncontrollably. We also noticed that she tends to regress to baby talk and babyish behaviors. We want so badly to help her. She is not finished with her surgeries yet. Because her esophagus was so badly deformed, she had to go through numerous surgeries and procedures to save it. Long story short, she is still on a feeding tube and learning how to swallow. Her Doctor wants to schedule her for surgery to correct her bottom anatomy. We want to postpone surgery until we can address the trauma she has already suffered so far. We are afraid that if we don’t get help for her before her next major surgery, that her fragile psyche may become more damaged. Your book can provide us with guidance on how to help her to heal. She has not had major surgery since she went into a coma at the age of 22 months. We want her to get strong psychologically before she has her next major surgery. Your interview has given my family hope in getting the proper help for my granddaughter to help her recover from her trauma. She is a strong child with a happy and joyful spirit. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge, strength and hope on how to help children recover from trauma. Your book would be a blessing for our family.
Jolene on October 15, 2015 at 10:20 am

So glad to hear from you, Erin. You are entered into the drawing. Jolene
Erin M on October 15, 2015 at 7:39 am

Hi, I heard you in WCRF today and am wondering if our daughter might have PTSD. She was born early and I almost lost my life, so we were separated in different ICU units. She now has some behavioral, ADHD and autism issues. Anyway, I’d like a chance to win you book! Thanks!