1. NEUROPLASTICITY: AND PEDIATRIC BRAIN INJURY: A REASON FOR HOPE
Richard O. Temple, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Neuropsychology
Web:

2. OLD THINKING ABOUT THE BRAIN
The brain stops growing and changing after a very early age
We are born with “traits” that are unchangeable
Injuries to the brain are permanent
“The brain is not a muscle”

3. A Reason for Hope

4. NEUROPLASTICITY
The inherent ability of the brain to change in response to experiences
“One of the most extraordinary discoveries of the twentieth century”
Norman Doidge, Canadian Psychiatrist, author of “The Brain That Changes Itself” and “The Brain’s Way of Healing”

5. EVIDENCE OF NEUROPLASTICITY
London Cab Drivers
Echolocation Training
Meditating Buddhist Monks

6. NEUROPLASTICITY A naturally occurring process
“Our brain is always changing”
Positive neuroplasticity
Learning a new skill
Imagination
New experiences
Intensity and repetition
Meditation and trait changes

7. NEUROPLASTICITY Negative neuroplasticity
Not practicing a skill
Constraining thoughts or experiences
Examples of negative neuroplasticity
Learned disuse
Pain

8. The Mind as a Black Box…

9. The Future of Rehabilitation

10. Inside The Black Box
Over 100 BILLION brain cells involved in information processing
30,000-60,000 brain cells in a piece of brain the size of a grain of salt
Each brain cell can have upwards of 20,000 connections with other brain cells
Ample raw material for neuroplasticity!

11. NEUROPLASTICITY What we are trying to achieve:
New brain areas responding to activity
Improved connections between brain areas (white matter integrity)
A more efficient brain that interconnects and transmits messages more efficiently

12. NEUROPLASTICITY IN THE PEDIATRIC BRAIN
Pediatric brain is thought to be more plastic
Still developing
Challenge of latent abilities
Deficits emerging later in life
Younger children may not be able to understand some information as well as adults
Motivation

13. NEUROPLASTICITY: Active Ingredients
Intensity and repetition
“building bridges”
Get comfortable with small, consistent changes
Making it automatic and efficient
Errorless learning
Understand that neural changes precede behavioral changes

14. NEUROPLASTICITY: Active Ingredients
Variety and Novelty
Make yourself uncomfortable!
New thinking and experiences create new connections
Increased intensity creates new connections, or strengthens existing connections

15. NEUROPLASTICITY: Active Ingredients
Motivation
It is hard work!
Children may not be intrinsically motivated
Rewards and reinforcement
Minimize or eliminate punishment

16. NEUROPLASTIC ENVIRONMENT
Behavioral Change
Creating a routine conducive to neuroplasticity
Schedule
Meaningful Activity
Perils of the “resting state”
Create an environment conducive to repetition, challenge, and new learning

17. PEDIATRIC BRAIN HEALTH
Sleep
Nutrition
Exercise

18. INNOVATIVE THERAPIES Software Programs Biofeedback Neurofeedback
Trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
Stem Cell Therapy
Meditation / Mindfulness

19. The Internet Can be used for good or evil
Mind-numbing passive viewing like TV
Accumulation of knowledge and idea generator

20. NEUROPLASTICITY GAME PLAN
Fight negative neuroplasticity
Develop a positive neuroplastic routine
Intensity
Novelty
Good sleep, nutrition, and exercise
Provide motivation and hope
Stay current with the latest developments

21. Thank You