Main description:

Childhood experiences can affect a person's lifelong health. Thinking Developmentally presents a clinical framework for understanding the impact of toxic stress and both adverse and affiliative childhood experiences on development. It makes a compelling case that many diseases of adulthood are not adult-onset, but rather adult-manifest, based on genetic and epigenetic consequences from early childhood experiences. Garner and Saul examine the needs of children and the role of parents, caregivers, the community, and medical practitioners in ensuring that children have safe, stable, and nurturing relationships. They explore community empowerment and offer suggestions for applying developmental science to help bring about healthy children, nurturing families, and caring communities.

Contents:

Introduction: The Pediatric Way
Part I: Advances in Developmental Science
Chapter 1: Life Course Science and the Proverbial "Black Box"
Chapter 2: Defining Adversity and Toxic Stress
Chapter 3: Epigenetics
Chapter 4: Developmental Neuroscience
Chapter 5: Thinking Developmentally
Part II: Translating Developmental Science Into Practice and Policy
Chapter 6: The Biological Needs of Children
Chapter 7: Supporting Parents and Caregivers
Chapter 8: The Role of Communities
Chapter 9: The Role of Pediatric Care
Chapter 10: Implications for Pediatric Advocacy and Public Policy
Epilogue: Hopes and Dreams
Appendix A: Glossary of Terms, Concepts, and Abbreviations
Appendix B: Abridged, Amended Version of the AAP Blueprint for Children