AHEAD (Ireland)’s Post

It has been a strange week here in the UK and I would like you to reflect on how we support ALL people to learn and behave calmly and efficiently, or not. I would like you to understand that ALL humans are neuroplastic i.e. they can change their cognitive skills through non-invasive exercises if done in developmental order. That poor development impacts on all aspects of learning and behaviour required for modern civilised society. It also affects an individual's ability to understand concepts as a whole and not to be easily led by simplistic narratives. That politicians as well as ordinary citizens can get lost promoting simplistic narratives. In the short-term society has no choice but to set tight boundaries for the giant toddlers roaming through UK streets. But in the long-term we need a better strategy. Demands by government agencies to provide random controlled trials for hundreds of extreme cases makes no sense. Department for Education UK Home Office Department of Health and Social Care First of all government needs to understand the kinetic chain of human development and how it is possible to change people's physiology at any age. That can be done following simple cases studies. The external factors that slow the process soon become obvious; but so do the fabulous committed people who persist and work day in day out to sort out people's physiology. So I have put together a short film for you to think about. I am not a rich government. I do not have external funding. I fund my pro-bono work from my income from paying clients. If I can sort out people's development on a shoe string, then so can government and it is cheaper and much nicer for all stakeholders. HM Treasury N.B. Please do not think that learning and behavioural problems are someone else's issue. In my experience EVERY family has someone who struggles badly and when I screen groups of people EVERYONE has some gaps in their development if only because modern environments are not good for humans to develop or maintain skills. #motorsensoryintegration #cognition #skillsforlife #offendingbehaviour https://lnkd.in/db22Fxmk

A must-watch video case study to demonstrate how people's cognitive skills and development can be transformed. #autism #neuroplasticity #tomatis #tomatismethod

Did you know the economic burden of childhood verbal abuse by adults is estimated at $300 billion globally? This finding was shared on April 11, 2024, at the first international conference on childhood verbal abuse, hosted by UCL, Words Matter, and the World Health Organization (WHO). People who verbally abuse in the home, workplace, and community show signs of a hyperarousal nervous system, which is associated with a dysregulated nervous system. The behavior can be changed, and the workplace would benefit from investing in emotional regulation activities that teach grounding exercises to help those abusing learn to shift to a modulated behavior. The school system should also offer children the opportunity to learn emotional regulation tools to help them cope and not embody the behaviors of the dysregulated environment they are subjected to. Based on the level of anxiety children are experiencing work-wide, all children would benefit, and they could help each other. Sketch by me: I never thought I would share this first sketch I drew recently; I know I need more practice 😊, but I felt it would illustrate the concepts of dysregulated and modulated states. Link to the research:  https://lnkd.in/eeh7Y8Wi Verbal Abuse: Definition, Signs, Examples, & What to Do: https://lnkd.in/eDxiU7cB #wordsmatter #verbalabuse #childdevelopment #economicimpactofabuse #leadership #coaching #CEO #workplaceemotionalregulationtraining #schoolemotionalregulationtraining #neuroscience #growthmindset #psychologicalsafety

Psychological capital of the child. Throughout our lives, our relationships shape our self-perception and capability to navigate through the challenges of everyday life. While primary caregivers lay the foundation, recent research has uncovered the vital contributions of extended family and community in building a child's well-being. Studies indicate that a child who perceives the teacher as affectionate,  helpful, friendly, and understanding has enhanced psychological capital. Psychological capital is described by the four components, which show the H.E.R.O. within. In the acronym H.E.R.O., H stands for hope, E stands for efficacy, R stands for resilience, and O stands for optimism.  This internalized strength, nurtured by caring teacher-student interactions, empowers the students to face academic challenges with greater strength and face life's obstacles with unwavering strength. Follow- https://lnkd.in/grs7E9pQ #PsychologicalCapital #MentalWellBeing #LoveYourSelf #Love #PureLove #MentalHealth #MentalHealthMatters

This week, I had the great pleasure of facilitating a session to engage with my co-researchers from the HEARTS Study at Mental Health Accessibility and Policy Solutions Lab (MAPS) Lab about barriers that young adults face within academia and research. Negative anecdotes and personal experiences about what it is like to face ageism, along with other forms of oppression in these spaces, were plentiful. Despite our unique lived/living expertise, backgrounds, and disciplines, many common threads and matching adverse experiences emerged. Yet, it's uncommon to see folks getting together and openly talking about these realities. There's often a sense among youth and young adults that we need to "suck it up," "bear with it," "pay our dues," be careful "not to rock the boat," and that if we hold out long enough and endure, we will be rewarded and gain the prestige of being on the other side. Let's keep the conversation going: What's the best advice you've been given or advice you have for young folks at this stage of life and their career? Let's share our ideas on addressing these shared experiences and working towards a more equitable future. #YoungAdultsInAcademia #ResearchBarriers #AcademicEquity #MeaningfulYouthEngagement #PersonalGrowth #PersonalDevelopment

Today is World Down Syndrome Day! It's a day to celebrate uniqueness, diversity, and above all, to advocate for change. This year, we're rallying behind the powerful theme: #EndTheStereotypes. Every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality. But for people with Down Syndrome and intellectual disabilities, stereotypes can be a barrier to experiencing life to the fullest. Too often, they can be unfairly treated like children, underestimated, and excluded from opportunities. Let's change that narrative. Let's break down the misconceptions and pave the way for a more inclusive society. Together, we can make a difference. Visit the link below to learn more about ending the stereotypes and maybe even share your story! Join us in spreading awareness and advocating for change. Together, let's #EndTheStereotypes! https://lnkd.in/eHT8crnY

Based on research by  #Dr.JackShonkoff  a leading scholar on early child health and development and director of the #HarvardCenterontheDevelopingChild. The experiences children have early in life play a crucial role in the development of the brain. Exposure to positive factors, especially stable and responsive relationships with parents and other adults, and safe and supportive environments promote positive development.  When brain development in infants and young children is fully supported, they are more likely to reach milestones critical to future individual and community success. These include: -Third-grade reading proficiency -High school graduation and postsecondary education -Gainful employment -Lifetime physical and mental health and well-being -Avoidance of substance use disorder and crime

Every individual with neurodivergent thinking is just that: an individual. Your journey with your child is wonderfully unique. Embrace every twist and turn, every challenge, and every opportunity it presents. 💛 Each child brings their own set of strengths, quirks, and needs to the table, making their journey truly one-of-a-kind. It's about celebrating their uniqueness and championing their potential every step of the way. Join us for the 💫 Thriving Child Challenge. 💫 5 days of closed door LIVE training from me, Dr Hannah Dennis, clinical psychologist, CEO of HRD Consultancy, Founder of The Nurture Space, and mother of three (two of whom are autistic). 🗓️ From March 11 to March 15, learn to reduce your child's tantrums, meltdowns, and wobbles by learning how to identify triggers, effectively communicate, advocate for a child with additional needs, and understand feelings of shame and guilt — all in just 5 days! Together, we'll embark on a journey to empower parents in navigating these challenges with ease. 🤝 Interested in joining us? Comment "YES" and I'll send you an invitation.  Let's thrive together! 💛 #thrivingchildchallenge #neurodivergent #autismparent #specialneedsparent #parentingsupport

In a culture where children are meant only to be seen and not heard, the realities of adolescence can easily be neglected. In fact, adolescence is the most critical phase of life that makes or mar a person. It is true that a thriving adolescence makes room for a great adulthood. So, life skills life personal development, communication and leadership skills are best inspired at this point. While adolescence may seem like a survival game with a huge confusion about what to commit to or not, the pleasant side to it is that it presents the best opportunity to thrive. And this is where resilience comes in. The International Adolescence Health Week 2024 theme "Thriving not just surviving; Building adolescents’ resilience" is a reminder that for all adolescent challenges: 1. Positive adjustment is doable. 2. The adjustment is necessary and timebound. 3. Adjustment may be inconvenient but rewarding. Join us in projecting adolescent voices #IAHW2024 #FromSurvivingToThriving #BuildingResilience https://lnkd.in/dN-wGawf

Again "delayed gratification" (a fav subject of mine, See my previous article in the comments). By developing the ability to recognize the right moments to act, hold back, enjoy, or wait, we give ourselves the power to overcome the grip of our desires. Your thoughts 💭 ? Annie --- He offered children a plate of marshmallows, and became one of the 20th century’s most cited psychologists. Walter Mischel, who died on September 12, 2018, was a clinical psychologist best known for his work on delayed gratification. In a series of studies in the 1960s and 1970s, Mischel told children between the ages of three and five that if they could wait 10 minutes to eat a treat, they’d be rewarded with two. Later, he found that the ability to wait longer appeared predictive of how children would achieve in school and in life. (Modern attempts to replicate the study have had differing results, suggesting that the test may have been better at gauging parental wealth than it was any other metric.) ...READ More... #DelayedGratification #Desires #Control #Habits Hon.