“These images illustrate the negative impact of neglect on the developing brain. In the CT scan on the left is an image from a healthy three year old with an average head size. The image on the right is from a three year old child suffering from severe sensory-deprivation neglect. This child’s brain is significantly smaller than the average and has abnormal development of the cortex.” Perry B & Pollard D (1997) These images are from studies conducted by a team of researchers from the Child Trauma Academy (www.ChildTrauma.org) led by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., PhD.
Powerful research evidence is emerging to show the importance of the first few years of life in terms of brain development, for example the work of Bruce Perry and the Child Trauma Academy at www.ChildTrauma.org and at this site you can see the slide featured in the book showing the cross section of a two three year olds' brain with the following caption:
