Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that help our bodies think, feel and move. However, the levels of key neurotransitters in many children from hard places are often too high, too low and/or out of balance. In this brief video, Dr. Karyn Purvis explains the importance of neurotransmitters, both in terms of helping parents gain new insight and compassion for their children and also for understanding how they might begin to address this important issue.
Adoption Learning Partners recently conducted a webinar entitled Parenting Children from Haiti and Other “Hard Places” featuring Dr. Karyn Purvis. ALP has graciously allowed us to post a link to the webinar here.
During this webinar Dr. Purvis addresses important questions and issues such as: who is a child from hard places; how to encourage the development of trust and secure attachment; effective ways to correct behavior; how to handle transitions; and many more.
Click here to launch the audio and slide presentation for the webinar. (Note: There were some minor technical issues during the audio recording. We apologize for the distractions during the presentation.)
On Thursday, March 25, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, Dr. Karyn Purvis will be leading a free webinar entitled Parenting Children from Haiti and Other “Hard Places”. During this webinar Dr. Purvis will spend one hour answering parents’ questions on parenting their children from Haiti, and other “hard places” (which she will define). There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about attachment, sleep issues, behavior challenges, family dynamics or any other challenge you are facing.
Space is limited so be sure to register soon! Click here for more information or to register online.
Latest Update: You can click here for a link to the audio and slide presentation for the webinar.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis talks about the need for parents to focus on every aspect of their child’s wellbeing in order to help them heal and overcome their challenges.
Watch as Dr. Karyn Purvis outlines the common characteristics of children from hard places and offers insight into what these children need most to help them heal and become whole:
Finding the Real Child, from the Spring 2006 issue of The TCU Magazine, details the remarkable story of Kristen. This story of hope illustrates well the healing power of parent/child connections. The article also offers a brief history of TCU’s Institute of Child Development, and provides an overview of the Institute’s work to help children and parents.
I was recently interviewed on Think, a program on KERA (PBS). In this brief interview I talk about the importance and healing power of healthy touch for everyone, especially children from hard places. Visit http://video.kera.org/video/1208511389/program/1100712391 to view this interview.
Listen to Dr. Purvis’ 2007 interview on Think (KERA) about her book, The Connected Child, and the interventions and practical approaches that have helped countless parents create healthy and healing connections with their children. audio recording of this presentation (mp3 file)
Following the war in Viet Nam, American soldiers came home with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and for the first time, we began to recognize the deep impact of chronic and acute stress. Such stress reaches deep and wide, affecting body mind and spirit of the man, woman, or child suffering from the trauma.
Tufts of red hair emerged over the kitchen counter followed by dancing blue eyes and a small freckled nose. “Mommy!” asked the pleading voice of a young five-year-old Suzie, “Can I have a power bar?” Busily working in the kitchen mother replied, “No sweetie, I’ve cooked a big dinner with some of your favorite foods and it will be ready in just ten minutes.” Without warning little Suzie erupted into a volcanic flurry of rage. “You’re so mean to me! You’re always mean to me! You never let me have anything I want! I hate you! I hate you! I HATE YOU!” As she ran to her bedroom her mother listened with dread to the slamming of the door followed by the all too familiar sound of toys being thrown against the wall, smashing new toys that replaced toys from her last rage. Mom sighed at the reverberation of another familiar sound – a crash, as Suzie pulled over her bookshelf – followed by the tearing and ripping sounds of Suzie’s books as they were disemboweled and thrown across the bedroom floor.