Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris and the Center for Youth Wellness are the focus of this segment on KQED's California Report today.
Dr. Burke Harris is on the front lines of a scientific theory that measures Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), and sees them not just as a cause of physical illnesses like heart disease, stroke or cancer. They can also lead to impaired brain development and interfere with a young student’s ability to learn.
“Behavior is the canary in the coal mine. For a child to sit still in a classroom, pay attention and lea
rn — that is their primary job,” said Dr. Burke Harris. “When they’re not able to do that, it’s a recognition that there’s something that’s not going right."
At a time where more and more young people are being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder — Dr. Burke Harris believes inaccurately — that recognition is important. In her experience, the undesired behavior is much more likely to be caused by repeated exposure to trauma.
You can listen to the five-minute segment, or read a print version at: http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R201312271630/a
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