Michael Yates of Ridgeview Behavioral Services will discuss Building Strong Brains—Tennessee’s ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Initiative on Saturday, August 5, at 10:30 a.m. It’s part of the free community mental health program series at Grace Lutheran Church in Oak Ridge. Yates’ presentation will focus on the effects of early childhood trauma on brain development, a press release said.

“Science indicates the structure of a young child’s brain is shaped by the interaction between genes and experience, and this can have a positive or negative result,” the press release said.

Science makes it clear that adverse childhood experiences can negatively impact the architecture of the developing brain, while children alternatively thrive in a safe, stable, nurturing environment of supportive families, caregivers, neighborhoods and communities, Yates said in the press release. [Read more…]