Problem: To Prepare:
Review the Learning Resources on neurodevelopment, toxic stress, and trauma.
Consider these two children:
Gabrielle experienced no adversity from birth to 5 years old (ACEs score of 0), but now many adverse events begin to occur, including abuse, parental divorce, and parental mental illness. Gabrielle has a loving extended family and community support.
Robert experienced some adversity from birth to 5 years old (ACEs score of 2) and has moved to a new living situation without family, and with no sense of belonging or community support.
Questions:
Compare the two children's experiences, including risk and protective factors. How would you expect the children to navigate stress as they grow? Who might be more resilient, and why? Finally, how might these situations relate to physical and mental health when they are adults? Need Assignment Help?
Learning Recourses:
Shapiro, J. R., & Applegate, J. S. (2018). Neurobiology for clinical social work: Theory and practice (2nd ed.). W. W. Norton & Co.
Chapter 5, "The Neurodevelopmental Impact of Stress, Adversity, and Trauma: Implications for Social Work" (pp. 92-117)
Perry, B. D., & Winfrey, O. (2021). What happened to you? Conversations on trauma, resilience, and healing. Flatiron Books.
Chapter 4, "The Spectrum of Trauma" (pp. 94-119)
Center on the Developing Child. (n.d.). Toxic stressLinks to an external site.. Harvard University.
Fox, S. E., Levitt, P., & Nelson III, C. A. (2010). How the timing and quality of early experiences influence the development of brain architecture. Child Development , 81 (1), 28-40.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. (n.d.). Resilience and child traumatic stress
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2015, April 22). InBrief: What is resilience? [Video]. YouTube.
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University. (2011, September 29). Toxic stress derails healthy development [Video]. YouTube.