Resources
Neurodevelopment and the Psychobiological Roots of
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Millions of children are at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorders because of sexual or physical abuse, violence, and other traumatizing experiences. The child’s emotional, cognitive, behavioral, social and physical development are impacted by such experiences. Prenatal or maternal traumatic stress can have significant impact on neurodevelopment.
To understand the traumatized child, a key principle of developmental neurobiology must be recognized: The brain organizes and develops as a reflection of developmental experience. When a stressful event is severe enough and of a sufficient duration, an increase in neurotransmitter activity causes abnormal development in the central nervous system of a traumatized child.
THE CHILDTRAUMA ACADEMY CTA is a not-for-profit organization based in Houston, Texas working to improve the lives of high-risk children through direct service, research and education. We recognize the crucial importance of childhood experience in shaping the health of the individual, and ultimately, society. By creating biologically-informed child and family respectful practice, programs and policy, CTA seeks to help maltreated and traumatized children.
LINKS FROM CTA…
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Millions of children are at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorders because of sexual or physical abuse, violence, and other traumatizing experiences. The child’s emotional, cognitive, behavioral, social and physical development are impacted by such experiences. Prenatal or maternal traumatic stress can have significant impact on neurodevelopment.
To understand the traumatized child, a key principle of developmental neurobiology must be recognized: The brain organizes and develops as a reflection of developmental experience. When a stressful event is severe enough and of a sufficient duration, an increase in neurotransmitter activity causes abnormal development in the central nervous system of a traumatized child.
THE CHILDTRAUMA ACADEMY CTA is a not-for-profit organization based in Houston, Texas working to improve the lives of high-risk children through direct service, research and education. We recognize the crucial importance of childhood experience in shaping the health of the individual, and ultimately, society. By creating biologically-informed child and family respectful practice, programs and policy, CTA seeks to help maltreated and traumatized children.
LINKS FROM CTA…
- Homeostasis, Stress, Trauma, and Adaptation
A Neurodevelopmental View of Childhood Trauma
by Bruce D. Perry, MD., Ph.D., and Ronnie Pollard, MD
READ MORE - Childhood Trauma, the Neurobiology of Adaptation, and “Use-dependent” Development of the Brain: How “States” Become “Traits”
Infant Mental Health Journal, Vol. 16, No.4, Winter 1995
Bruce D. Perry, Ronnie A. Pollard, Toi L. Blakley, and Domenico Vigilante
READ MORE - Examining Child Maltreatment Through a Neurodevelopmental Lens: Clinical Applications of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics
Journal of Loss and Trauma, 14:240-255, 2009, Bruce D. Perry
This article provides the theoretical rationale and overview of a neurodevelopmentally-informed approach to therapeutic work with maltreated and traumatized children and youth.
READ MORE - Children and Loss
Teachers serve as a crucial emotional bridge for a child at times of loss. What do we need to know to help students cope?
READ MORE