The Resilience Revolution Discovering Strengths in Challenging Kids

The Resilience Revolution: Discovering Strengths in Challenging Kids focuses on giving at-risk youth the most important factor in their success: a positive adult connection. This positive connection helps youth build resilience, the ability to perservere through and recover from adversity. Lary Brentro and Scott Larson use scientific research on resilience to reframe challenging behavior as pain-based behavior. The authors carefully describe practical strategies adults can use to help young people overcome their pain and develop resiliences through: Building trust to meet the fundamental human need to belong Identifying innate talents and nurturing problem-solving skills Redefining "responsibility" to empower youth Instilling a sense of purpose and generosity toward others With support from adults who believe in their possibilities, youth can experience positive relationships, discover hidden talents, solve problems creatively, and find a fulfiling purpose for their lives.

Larry K. Brendtro, Ph.D., was president of Starr Commonwealth for 14 years and currently is dean of Starr's International Research Council. He has been a youth worker, teacher, principal, psychologist, and is the founder of Reclaiming Youth International.Scott J. Larson, D.Min., is president of Straight Ahead Ministries, which he cofounded with his wife, Hanne, in 1987. Straight Ahead develops materials, training, and effective models for reaching at-risk youth for hundreds of organizations around the world.