Presentation Information

Tracy Cassels

Parenting a High-Needs Baby in a Low-Needs Society

  • Speaker: Tracy Cassels , PhD
  • Presentation Type:
  • Duration: 60 Mins
  • Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME, 0.1 Midwifery CEU
Abstract:

Sensitive or orchid individuals make up about 20% of the population, children included. These individuals face what we call ‘differential susceptibility’ based on their environments, child-rearing included. In environments that are not well-suited to their sensitive nature, they face higher rates of disease, mental health disorders, and other negative outcomes. In contrast, when in environments that are supportive and well-suited to their nature, they thrive and can have outcomes that surpass those of their less sensitive counterparts. The problem for most parents is that the advice and techniques common in our culture are at odds with what these children need, putting parents in a difficult spot of either not knowing how to parent such a child (but knowing the advice seems wrong) or giving in and finding themselves in ongoing struggles with their child. This talk will review the research on sensitive/orchid children and how we can use this information to help families identify parenting methods and techniques in the areas of general parenting, sleep, child care/schooling, and discipline that will provide the type of foundation these children need to thrive.