How Early Experience Effects Development - Including the Impact of Maltreatment on Brain Development

Dr. Bruce D. Perry (see www.childtrauma.org) is an internationally known child psychiatrist, based out of Houston, Texas.  In late March 2008, GEMMA hosted a 3 part seminar with Dr. Perry.  More information about the conference is given below.

From the Dr. Perry Conference, a new action group, Raising Our Voices for Children, has been formed.  For more information about this group, click here.

To read articles related to Dr. Bruce D. Perry and/or his visit to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, please click here.

To view pictures of the conference, click here.

Free Public Lecture with Dr. Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD

Tuesday, March 25th, 2008

The Lantern, 35 Barnes Road, St. John’s, NL.

No pre-registration required.  Registration starts at 7:15pm, lecture begins at 8:00pm.

 
Full Day Seminar with Dr. Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD

Wednesday, March 26^th, 2008, 8:00am - 12:00pm

Health Sciences Auditorium, St. John’s, NL.

Followed by a facilitated discussion in the afternoon:

Where To From Here! Implications for Practice

Facilitator: Susan McConnell, M.S.W., R.S.W.
Wednesday, March 26^th, 2008, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
The Lantern, 35 Barnes Road, St. John’s, NL.

Child Psychiatrist, Dr. Bruce D. Perry is a pioneer and international expert in the study of childhood brain development, proving that environment plays a key role in how the brain grows, particularly during the first three years of life.  Among Perry’s findings are studies that show trauma and neglect can alter the biology of a child’s brain with lifelong consequences.  Dr. Perry writes, “In order to prevent the development of impaired children, we need to dedicate resources of time, energy and money to the complex problems related to child maltreatment. We need to understand the indelible relationship between early life and cognitive, social, emotional, and physical health. Providing enriching cognitive, emotional, social and physical experiences in childhood could transform our culture. But before our society can choose to provide these experiences, it must be educated about what we now know regarding child development.” (Excerpt from: The Impact of Abuse and Neglect on the Developing Brain, page 2).  For this and a full list of articles by Dr. Perry, see the ChildTrauma Academy website at www.childtrauma.org.

Implications for Practice will provide an opportunity for people who attended the morning seminar to share concerns and issues and reflect on effective practices. Perry believes the elements of successful interventions and child mental health practices must be guided by the core principles of brain development. It is hoped his visit will be a catalyst for unfolding a collective response for children, especially children at risk of poor outcomes. A focus on child development and emotionally healthy children is a win-win story for children and for society, because over time less funding will be needed for intervention and remedial services.

Registration information and other details can be downloaded in the form of PDF Files from the GEMMA website at www.gemma.nl.org. While you are at the website, visit Online Resources to find a link to the State of Florida’s Strategic Plan for Infant Mental Health. If you are not able to access the materials through the Website, all information can be faxed or mailed.