#cognitive development

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Dr. P

Published: Dec 29, 2023

Let's talk about the impact of PBs on brain development and functioning.

Buckle up folks. This is going to be a long thread!

To understand what PBs do to cognitive development and IQ, you first need to understand what IQ is, how it is constructed and how it's measured. The following explanation is of one model of IQ. There are others. 

Definition: IQ is a property of the mind encompassing many related intellectual abilities, eg the capacities to reason; to plan, to solve problems; to think abstractly; to comprehend ideas; to use language; and to learn. 

Definition: When aggregated, these factors determine the individual’s ability to act purposefully, to think rationally and to deal effectively with their environment. This is their IQ, or their level of cognitive functioning. The average IQ falls between 85 and 115. 

Types of IQ: Intelligence can be split into two subtypes: Crystalline (Gc) and Fluid (Gf). Gc (Crystalline IQ) is LEARNED or ACQUIRED knowledge: eg 'When was the Magna Carta signed'?; 'What is the name of the Earth's satellite'? It is heavily dependent on education. 

Gc remains stable and/or increases over time as knowledge is gained. Gf (Fluid IQ) is related to novel problem solving, eg, how to put up an Ikea wardrobe, or how to plan a journey from say Cornwall to Aberdeen. Gf increases as the brain matures from childhood to adulthood. 

Because Gf measures NOVEL problem-solving it is largely independent of educational attainment. 

IQ is usually measured using the 3 Weschler scales: WIPPSI young children (2-7); WISC children (6-16); and WAIS adults (16-91). There are between 10 and 15 subtests, aggregated to give the overall FULL SCALE IQ score (FSIQ). The test also yields separate Index scores. 

Impact of PBs: PBs are given when the brain is maturing, through the creation of neural connections and the laying down of fatty tissue (Myelination). PB's interrupt this process. The following table shows the cognitive decline in a Brazillian child over 3 years on Lupron

Her FSIQ fell from 80 to 70. From Low Average to Borderline Learning Disabilities. Her performance also fell on EVERY Index score. This is unprecedented. It is really important to know that IQ is a very STABLE construct. It does not change significantly over the lifespan. 

Using the various Weschler scales, IQ should be roughly the same measured at ages 5, 25, 55 or 85. There will be some small changes (depending on external factors like fatigue, rapport, testing conditions, etc). These are accounted for by reporting the Confidence Interval 

But generally, IQ does NOT change significantly over the lifespan. Unless there is an 'insult' to the brain: eg head injury, infection or disease etc, IQ absolutely SHOULD NOT be dropping by 10 points over 3 years!!!!! 

In 30 years of giving hundreds of IQ tests, I have only seen such a decline ONCE (a few weeks ago), in a man with severe Autism. Otherwise, a fall of this magnitude, without a head injury, tumour or other disease process, is simply unprecedented. 

This finding ALONE, in this single child, should have been enough to immediately halt ALL administration of PBs worldwide until more data was collected. In medical terms, this is almost as unusual and alarming as if her blood type or fingerprints had changed. 

But here's more evidence: Below shows an average 7-point drop in IQ of 25 kids after 2 years on PBs. This rate of decline is consistent with the Brazilian finding. It's not an 'artefact' of testing. Something very serious and dangerous is happening as a result of PBs.

This data is known. This information is out there, yet PBs are still being pushed as 'Affirming' and 'lifesaving' care for children. In reality, PBs are causing significant and possibly IRREVERSIBLE BRAIN DAMAGE. They are impacting both Gf and Gc. 

ALL children should routinely have their IQ tested at the beginning of 'treatment' and periodically whilst on PBs. But gender clinics are not collecting this data, so the true scale of the disaster in terms of the cognitive damage to children is not yet known. 

It's possible these children's IQs are CONTINUING TO FALL. A 10-point drop is the difference between getting a degree or not. A 20-point drop is the difference between living independently or staying at home with parents because you cannot manage life without help. 

This is a scandal of unprecedented and unimaginable proportions. But there's also mounting evidence that X-sex hormones are also causing a decline in IQ in adults even AFTER the critical Myelination process is complete (age 25 to 30). I will do another thread on that. 

Please Rx. Transgender 'healthcare' for children is a Crime Against Humanity. It MUST be stopped. By us. 

PBs do have a role: For a 4-year-old who starts menstruating, the risk of cognitive impairment is less than the psychological consequences of CPP. But they have absolutely NO place in 'treating' the psychological dysfunction of otherwise perfectly HEALTHY children. 

Somehow, shockingly, puberty is now seen as an illness which must be blocked. Regardless of the consequences to children. But PBs affect the ENTIRE body. Not just sexual development They don't mysteriously and miraculously stop working above the shoulders! 

And, before I get all the usual, nonsensical pushback: I am a 'real' psychologist; I do have a DClinPsych; I am not, and have never claimed to be a medical doctor; I'm not a 'crackpot'; my views are not outliers; every clinical psychologist knows the truth of this thread. 

See also my thread on the impact of PBs on Executive Functioning ( ie higher level cognitive functioning - if IQ is the engine, EFs are the SatNav).

The impact is equally dire.

==

This is chemical lobotomization.

[themontessoriacademyofarlington]

Infant - Animals and Nature

Exposure to animals and nature offers numerous benefits, even for our youngest students, including infants. Interacting with animals can foster empathy, compassion, and a sense of responsibility in children. It also provides sensory experiences that are crucial for their cognitive and emotional development. Being outside in our natural environments encourages exploration and curiosity while enhancing infants' physical development through activities like crawling on grass or touching different textures. Overall, these experiences help create a holistic learning environment that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit of young children.

[familythings]

How Parenting Style Influences Children's Honesty

A child’s first lie can be a significant moment in their growth, signaling a movement towards independent thought. Though these early “white lies” may bring a smile to parents’ faces, they can also cause concern if dishonesty develops into a habit or arises in unsuitable situations. It’s important to recognize what these behaviors represent, as doing so can help nurture open communication and…

[theenglishnook]

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Neuroplasticity is a foundational concept in neuroscience that highlights the brain’s remarkable adaptability. It refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize its neural pathways by forming new connections and altering existing ones throughout an individual’s life. This process allows the brain to adapt to changes in the environment, learn new skills, recover from injuries, and compensate for…

[itsororomunroe]

Image ID of a previous user’s tags:

Bless people who work with kids doing this. What seems like obvious safety concerns to us looks the same as just flexing authority to kids, and somehow, adults see asking “Why?” as challenging authority, when:

often, kids lack the context to understand why something is how it is;

kids have so little agency, and so, including them in the decision-making helps kids not feel so stifled and like they need to find ways to push back that’ll piss you off so bad.

There was a phrase that I used in my classroom when my students would ask me about doing questionable things, and my response was always, "Technically you can, but should you?"

The reason I used this instead of a simple yes or no answer is because it opened up conversation. Instead of blindly looking for permission, the conversation became more about cause and effect. Usually it navigated the "well you can't tell me what to do I'm going to do it anyway" instinct in kids when I'd say no, because all they were looking for is something to challenge them.

For example: "Can I jump off the slide?"

"Technically you can, but should you?"

If they answer no, I'd ask why. Usually they'd say because it's against the rules or I don't know.

If they say it's against the rules, I'd ask them why they think it's a rule. And if they'd say I don't know, I'd explain that the slide is five feet off of the ground, and jumping that high is a good way to hurt your knees or worse.

And then the most important part: if you did do it, how can you make it safer?

That's when the creativity juices started to flow. I'd get anything from pillows to beds to bouncy shoes to wings to someone catching them (which became a whole different conversation). And I told them since we didn't have those things here, it wasn't safe. And safety is everyone's number one job at school.

It stopped them from doing it behind my back. It got them to engage in critical thinking. And it helped them figure out how to do things without help.

However, there's always been an itching thought in the back of my head. Somewhere out there, did one of my past students drag their mattress out to the slide and jump off of it?

[zentarablog]

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Child development is a fascinating and complex journey, a rapid-fire series of transformations that shape us from infancy into the unique individuals we become. While many aspects of this journey might seem intuitive, decades of research in psychology, neuroscience, and education have unveiled a wealth of surprising facts that challenge common assumptions and offer deeper insights into how…

[iyemarathichiyenagari1971]

पहिलीपासून हिंदी या मुद्द्याला विरोध करणे चुकीचे अन् मराठी माणसाच्या तोट्याचे

सध्या हिंदी भाषा पहिलीपासून शिकवली जावी का ? या संदर्भात महाराष्ट्रातील राजकारण ढवळून निघाले आहे. या मुद्द्यावर राजकिय पोळी भाजून घेण्याचा प्रयत्नच अधिक होत आहे. खऱ्या अर्थाने महाराष्ट्राच्या विकासाच्या राजकारणाचा हा सर्वात मोठा पराभव आहे असे म्हटले तर चुक होणार नाही. या मुद्द्यावर तज्ज्ञांनी फारसे बोलणे टाळलेले दिसते. पण अशा गंभीर मुद्द्यावर गप्प बसणे हा तज्ज्ञांचा धर्म नव्हे हे लक्षात घ्यायला…

[raffaellopalandri]

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[captaingimpy]

Title: Beyond Decoding: What My Grandmother Taught Me About Real Literacy

There’s a statistic that floats around the internet and education circles that claims 40% of American kids can’t read. Some say it’s exaggerated. Others call it a crisis. In a recent video, Jared Henderson—a credentialed philosopher—tackled this figure by critiquing its sources, calling out the misleading nature of how the data is presented, and attacking the National Literacy Institute (NLI) for…

[thesarkariyojna]

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[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Dr. P

Published: Jan 13, 2024

Hello X

Let's talk about the impact of PBs on brain maturity.

The brain doesn't fully mature until about 25 or 30. But what is the process of brain maturation? How is a 5 year old's brain different from a 30 year old's?

What ELSE are we stopping when we give children PBs? 

Description: The main difference between a 5 and 30 year old's thinking is in the presence of Executive Functions (EFs). These are higher-level cognitive skills and are analogous to a conductor leading an orchestra, who controls, organises and directs the musicians. 

EFs require the presence of ‘meta-cognitions’. Namely ‘thinking about thinking’. “I hate my boss” is a cognition. “I won’t punch my boss because I will get arrested and lose my job” is a meta-cognition. 

EFs are measured by functional testing by (neuropsychs) or via observation and self-report, by clinical psychs. The Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF) in its various forms measures EFs from ages 2 to 90. Note: EFs are so vital they're measured from 2! 

The BRIEF identifies nine EFs. To understanding why PBs are so malign and dangerous to children, I will list and briefly describe these EFs in full, as follows: 

INHIBIT: Control impulses; appropriately stop one's own behaviour at the proper time.

SHIFT: Move freely from one situation, or aspect of a problem to another as needed; solve problems flexibly.

EMOTIONAL CONTROL: Modulate emotional responses appropriately. 

SELF MONITOR: Keep track of the effect of one’s own behaviour on others; attend to one's own behaviour in the social context

INITIATE: Begin a task or activity; fluidly generate ideas. 

WORKING MEMORY: Hold information in mind for the purpose of completing a task; stay with, or stick to an activity. 

PLAN/ORGANISE: Anticipate future events; set goals; develop appropriate steps to carry out an associated action; carry out tasks in a systematic manner; understand main ideas 

TASK MONITOR Check work; assess performance during or after finishing a task to ensure attainment of a goal.

ORGANISATION OF MATERIALS: Keep workspace, living areas, and materials in an orderly manner 

EFs in children are vitally important because without them, accessing education and forming and maintaining social relationships is difficult. When children have consistently poor EFs they are diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 

Psychologists know the importance of helping children with poor EFs. We have developed many interventions to help such children. We provide external support and 'scaffolding’ until their EFs come online. For example, behaviour charts, ‘to do’ lists, timetables, etc 

But what, if because of PBs these EFs NEVER come online? What happens if cognitive development STOPS at the point children are given PBs? How do young adults negotiate the world without a full set of internal regulatory controls? 

In the film 'Big', Tom Hanks' character, John Baskin has a child's mind in an adult body. He essentially has minimal EFs. But this is the romanticisation of poor EFs. In reality, the consequences are dire: (a) Poor educational attainment, (you can’t focus long enough to learn). (b) Over-representation in the criminal population (not being able to inhibit aggressive or antisocial impulses); (c) poor vocational attainment (bad timekeeping, inability to think independently and plan, and poor interpersonal skills), mean employers won’t tolerate you. 

By giving children PBs, we are DELIBERATELY interfering with the development of vital EFs. Research shows sheep given PBs not only had poorer cognitive skills, but they also didn’t get along with the other sheep! 

The brain has age-critical developmental windows. This is why feral children never learn to talk: that developmental window is closed. Children in Romanian orphanages developed severe autism: their developmental windows for language, emotional responsiveness etc had closed. 

Once missed, these developmental windows do not reopen. PBs are slamming these windows shut then boarding them up! PBs are dooming children to a lifetime of educational, vocational and social underachievement. We are DELIBERATELY causing brain damage in vulnerable children! 

We already see this in the ‘Trans’ youngsters posting on SM: they are aggressive, intolerant and impulsive. They lack the needed EFs to regulate and monitor their own behaviours and emotional responses. 

In the name of Trans ‘healthcare’ children’s IQs AND EFs are being damaged by PBs. These 'insults' to their still-developing brains are impacting cognitive AND meta-cognitive functions. Nobody is conducting the orchestra. Half the musicians are not even showing up to play 

Everything I've written above is well-known to psychologists. Anyone who has even done an undergraduate Developmental Psychology module knows this. But, again, in the name of gender ideology, professional psychologists are ignoring the harms being done to children. See @unherd for more

By reaching the end of this thread you've carried out EFs: initiate, focus, working memory. You have (hopefully) not been distracted. You will now shift your attention away to something else. Imagine being an adult, but without the capacity to do even these basic things. 

PS: I initially wrote a different version of this thread, then, somehow I closed X instead of posting it. I hadn't saved it as a draft. I therefore showed poor EF in that I hadn't 'planned and organised' for this possibility. I didn't make the same mistake twice because I then carried out the other aspects of Plan/Organise! 

I was able to do this because my meta-cognitive functions are intact. I corrected my initial mistake by changing my behaviour (writing the thread in Word), saving it, then posting to X. My EFs are intact because I was born in 1964 and was therefore never poisoned with PBs! 

As nobody is bothering to collect proper data, I will test FOR FREE, any child in the UK, currently on PBs, or adult on X-sex hormones. This will give a baseline and I will repeat the tests in 2 years. I will conduct a full psychometric battery. Message me! 

I suspect the rash of school shootings in the US of 'Trans identified' youngsters are a result of EF dysregulation: specifically, Inhibition, Emotional Control and Self-Monitor, plus the interaction of other psychoactive meds. I predict many more of these incidents by youngsters in receipt of 'gender-affirming care'.

==

"ThEy'rE CoMpLeTeLy rEvErSiBlE!!"

Blocking children's development will go down as one of history's worst medical crimes.

[jbfly46]

These are two tests for meeting legal standards that Jews and other backwards Caucasian cultures have high levels of difficulty understanding. Cultures/peoples that don’t practice these standards are stuck in a primitive phase of development, as not practicing these standards places a ceiling, or a roadblock, on cognitive development, and is a sign of a reasoning deficiency.

• Aguilar-Spinelli test: Used to determine if an informant's tip can be used to justify a search warrant.

• Katz test: Used to determine if a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

[themontessoriacademyofarlington]

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This material also supports cognitive development, requiring students to plan and execute a series of steps, which enhances their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. They learn about cause and effect as they observe how the liquid moves and reacts to their actions. Additionally, the activity involves counting drops and measuring liquid, which introduces basic mathematical concepts. By engaging in this focused and purposeful work, children develop their ability to concentrate, follow sequences, and make decisions, all of which are crucial for cognitive growth.

[gwmac]

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[superheroabasupport]

Starting support early makes a big difference for kids showing signs of developmental delays. The earlier the challenges are identified and addressed, the better the outcomes for communication, social skills, and overall growth. Families can access strategies that help children build critical skills during their most formative years through behavior therapy, including behavior therapy in Miami Gardens, Florida.

[wonderfulvirginia]

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