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Key Messages: Brain Shaping









            The threat response is designed to be a temporary change. If the threat

            response is activated too often due to ongoing adverse experiences, the                                                           1
            stress chemicals can stay permanently on high.




                             Frequent activation of the stress response can also occur for
             2               neurodifference brains navigating a neurotypical world






            When stress chemicals are set permanently on high, the person’s ‘balance’
            is skewed towards vulnerability – it is much harder to manage any extra                                                           3

            stressors that come along.




             4                This means the person is more likely to react more intensely to
                              smaller problems or challenges.




             High stress chemical levels and low DOSE changes how a person sees the

             world - we call this their ‘colour lenses’ - they may enter situations feeling                                                   5

             defensive and on high alert.
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