Brain Science to Smart (Intelligent) Policy for Foster and Adopted Children Tuesday 26th June - 1-2pm in Pevensey 1, Room 2A2

Brain Science to Smart (Intelligent) Policy for Foster and Adopted Children

Tuesday 26th June - 1-2pm in Pevensey 1, Room 2A2A large body of research has documented that experiences during the prenatal period and first years of life shape the architecture of the developing brain. This helps to explain why stressful early experiences predispose individuals for many negative health and mental health outcomes, and it also provides many useful tools for the development of programmes to improve outcomes. This presentation will provide an overview of stress neurobiology, a description of caregiver-based interventions that leverage the plasticity of the developing brain for children who have experienced early adversity, and ways in which this emerging knowledge base can be applied to public policy for looked after and adopted children. The presentation will draw upon work being conducted by Dr. Fisher at the Oregon Social Learning Center and the University of Oregon, at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, and in England.Phil FisherResearch ScientistOregon Social Learning Center