About the speaker: 

Nathan A. Fox is Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science at the University of Maryland College Park. He conducts research on the effects of early experience on brain and behavioral development in infants and children. He has completed research on the biological bases of social and emotional behavior developing methods for assessing brain activity in infants and young children during tasks designed to elicit a range of emotions. His work is funded by the National Institutes of Health where he was awarded a MERIT award for excellence of his research program. Dr. Fox was awarded the Distinguished Scientific Investigator Award from the National Association for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) and was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association for Psychological Science and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a founding member of the National Scientific Council for the Developing Child and one of the three Principal Investigators on the Bucharest Early Intervention Project.

About the talk:

The Bucharest Early Intervention Project is the only randomized control trial of foster care intervention for infants and young children abandoned at birth. These young children were assessed while living in institutions and then randomized to either remain in the institutions where they were living or be placed into foster families. Assessments were conducted at different intervals over the course of childhood, adolescence and most recently early adulthood. Early intervention appears to have remediated some (but not all) of the deficits attributed to early deprivation. Sensitive periods in development account for these effects as do stability of placement over time. This talk will present data from multiple domains including cognitive, psychiatric, and brain structure/functioning. 

This presentation is relevant to clinicians and clinicians in training at an introductory level. The speaker has reported no conflicts of interest or commercial support for this talk. 

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the design of the Bucharest Early Intervention Project and its significance.
• Discuss the implications of early institutionalization and neglect on brain and behavior development.
• Identify the impact of high-quality foster care as an intervention for children who have been placed in institutions. 

Continuing Education:

One hour of CE credit is available for attendees who are present for the entire program. We ask that all participants complete the given evaluation form at the conclusion of the program.

The Center for Children and Families at FIU is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Center for Children and Families at FIU maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

This free in-person talk has also been approved for up to 1 CEU credit by Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling; and 1 CE credit by Florida Board of Psychology and Florida Office of School Psychology.

Provider # BAP 50-12872.

This event is proudly co-sponsored with NDC Lab (Neural Dynamics of Control Laboratory)