Page 30 - Course 3 Neurobiology Part 4 Brain Shaping

Brain Shaping can make it easier or

harder to manage daily stressors

WHAT WE KNOW / UNDERSTAND PICTURE PROMPTS

▪ Some children enjoy strong attachments, good basic care and
plentiful positive, enriching experiences; this fills their 5C Needs.

▪ When 5C needs are met well each day, feel good chemicals build up
within the body system.

▪ This changes how a person enters situations: they feel calm and
positive from the start; we call this ‘wearing yellow lenses in life’.
When stressors come their way, they have the capacity for

challenge - it is easier for them to manage well.

▪ Other children are not so lucky: poor attachments, few enriching
experiences or adverse experiences mean their threat response is
activated too often.

▪ An overly activated stress response system can cause a build up of
stress chemicals which can then remain permanently on high.

▪ For neurodifferent brains living in a neurotypical world, greater daily
stressors can lead to a build-up of stress chemicals. Daily stressors
related to neurodifference can activate the stress response.

▪ Children with high levels of stress in their bodies can react to
stressors more easily and strongly. We call this ‘wearing blue or red

lenses’.
▪ Life is more difficult for them. It is not their fault.