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Damaged Child
It is probably safe to say that a child who is 11 and still in the child welfare system is probably damanged and very hurt. The behaviors you are seeing are probably the result of an extensive history of neglect and broken promises (many youg children think a home is forever even when it is a temp. foster placement).
You may want to think about your foster-child's developmental age and treat the child as a much younger child...say age 2 or 3. That would mean keeping the child always within line-of-sight and within arms length...to keep him safe and protect him from getting himself in trouble. Simplifying his life with fewer choices and opportunities may also be helpfu. Three very good books you may want to consult for other specific pareting strategies are:
Attaching in Adoption by D. Gray
When Love is not Enough by Nancy Thomas ( I have a link to her website on my website, under the links page)
Facilitating Developmental Attachment by Dr. Daniel Hughes
Best regards
__________________
Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman
Adoptive Parent
Specialist in Adoption and Foster care issues.
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