ABSTRACT
This chapter examines brain science and developmental psychology research. It looks at how the context of the child affects the way their brains are sculpted, the autonomic nervous system develops, hormonal systems are programmed, and how children are, as a result, likely to relate to other people and the social world. Many traumatised children struggle with empathy, emotional regulation, or managing relationships. While many traumatised children are resilient and have the ability to develop loving relationships, the inner worlds of others are tormented by fear, terror, and despair. Victims of trauma and abuse have a smaller corpus callosum, which links left and right hemispheres, leaving less capacity for the hemispheres to communicate effectively. Children’s mental health services could improve their understanding of children who have suffered abuse or neglect. While many traumatised children are resilient and have the ability to develop loving relationships, the inner worlds of others are tormented by fear, terror, and despair.
