March 31: Nathan Fox, "Are There Sensitive Periods for the Effects of Early Experience on Cognitive and Social Competence? Lessons from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project"

Are There Sensitive Periods for the Effects of Early Experience on Cognitive and Social Competence? Lessons from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project

Dr. Nathan Fox, University of Maryland
Director of the Child Development Lab in the Dept. of Human Development

Distinguished University Professor

Interim Chair, Dept. of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology

Abstract

Developmental psychologists and educators assume that early experiences shape the brain and neural circuitry for emerging cognitive and social behaviors over the first years of life. Most of the evidence for these assumptions is based on rodent and non human primate animal research. Far less has been published on the effects of early experience that is not correlational in nature. The Bucharest Early Intervention Project (BEIP) is the first randomized trial of a family intervention for children who experienced significant psychosocial neglect early in their lives. A group of infants living in institutions in Romania were recruited and randomized to be taken out of the institution and placed into family/foster care homes or to remain in the institution. Follow up of these children occurred at 42 and 54 months of age and at 8 years of age. Multiple domains, including cognitive, socio-emotional, psychiatric, and brain imaging were assessed at each age. Three questions are posed in this study and this talk: first, are there lasting effects of early psychosocial deprivation as children develop over the school years. Second, is intervention successful in ameliorating deficits as a result of institutionalization. And third, are there sensitive periods in delivering the intervention that explain both success and failure to improve cognitive and socio-emotional behavior.

This talk will be held in 3105 Tolman Hall, 12:00-1:30pm.

March 17: Sally Ozonoff, "Advances in Early Detection Science: Finding Infant Markers of Autism"

Advances in Early Detection Science: Finding Infant Markers of Autism

Sally Oznoff
Endowed Professor and Vice Chair for Research
Department of Psychiatry and Behavior Sciences
M.I.N.D. Institute
Davis Medical Center

Abstract:
This talk will focus on early detection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in infants and young toddlers, summarizing existing research and describing new results from an ongoing prospective study. Developmental challenges beyond ASD that may occur in siblings will also be discussed. The talk will conclude with recurrence risk of ASD in families who already have an affected child and implications for screening and working with families.

Monday, March 17 in 3105 Tolman Hall, 12:00-1:30pm.

March 10: Kris Madsen, "Curbing Childhood Obesity: A Systems Approach"

Kristine A. Madsen, MD, MPH is faculty member in the School of Public Health, in the Division of Community Health and Child Development, who is an expert in the development and treatment of pediatric obesity. She is a pediatrician and research scientist with expertise in the design and evaluation of interventions related to childhood obesity and health disparities in youth. She has collaborated with multiple Departments of Public Health, school districts, healthcare organizations, and other community agencies to design interventions to prevent and treat childhood obesity. Her current work includes: an NIH-funded randomized trial looking at school-based body-mass index screening and reporting; a longitudinal study of the impact of Kaiser's new Thriving Schools initiative; a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded project examining the impact of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools Program; and a partnership with Contra Costa Health Services to disseminate their evidence-based Familias Activas y Saludables program.

Curbing Childhood Obesity: A Systems Approach

Abstract: Childhood obesity remains the number one pediatric public health problem in the US, and disparities by race/ethnicity and income are increasing. Emerging evidence suggests that cross-system integration and collaboration will be critical to address the problem of obesity. Dr. Madsen will discuss several research projects aimed at changing systems and environments to reduce obesity, including health care, schools, neighbourhoods and media.

This talk will be held in 3105 Tolman on Monday, March 10 from 12:00-1:30pm.