The Oxford Brain Story: Building A Cross-Sector Framework for Understanding Brain Development

Background: The Brain Story is a collection of evidence-based metaphors developed by the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, Harvard Center on the Developing Child, and FrameWorks Institute to close the gap between what the public understands about brain development and scientific evidence. It is an accessible, engaging, universally applicable public health message.

 

Oxford Brain Story (OBS) aims to introduce a UK audience to the science of early child development and how experiences shape long-term health outcomes using Brain Story metaphors and resources. The goal is to foster a common language and knowledge base around brain development to shape service delivery and build workforce capacity and capability. Ultimately the Brain Story aims to improve life outcomes for community members across the lifespan.

 

OBS has delivered training to 3,500+ professionals, with integration into various professional training programmes. Quantitative and qualitative data demonstrate a positive change in participants’ knowledge and application of the science to a hypothetical (real-world) scenario after training. OBS actively works with community partners in areas with health disparities (e.g., Fleetwood) and tailors training content to the audience’s expressed needs. This has included co-development of Brain Story resources and training materials.

 

Audience: The Brain Story is an intentionally cross-sector approach to make knowledge on brain development understood and integrated across the system and across the lifespan. Therefore, this workshop is relevant to everyone working with adults, children and/or families.

 

Approach: This 90-minute workshop presents the five core Brain Story metaphors and their underpinning science. The following micro sessions accompany each metaphor, encouraging attendees to apply this knowledge into their practice:

 

 

Discussion: on how Serve & Return is relevant personally and professionally.

Working through two examples of what Air Traffic Control (i.e., executive function) skills are required in a child and adult context.

Exploration of the use of the Resilience Scale.

Brainstorm the relevance of a universally applicable public health message on brain development, and the implications for service delivery.

 

Developing a plan of implementing the Brain Story within attendees’ workplace

Q & A

The session will be led and facilitated by Professors Elizabeth Rapa and Louise Dalton.

Outcomes: The workshop will consist of the following learning themes:

Brain Architecture & Neuroplasticity: Neural development, neural plasticity, sensitive periods of development. Gene/environment interactions.

Serve & Return Metaphor: The role of contingent responsiveness in promoting cognitive, emotional and behavioural outcomes.

Air Traffic Control Metaphor: What is executive function (EF); impact of adversity on EF skill development, recognising difficulties with EF, ways to build or scaffold EF skills.

Toxic Stress Metaphor: Differences between positive/tolerable/toxic stress. Adverse Childhood Experiences and the dose-dependent risk of poorer behavioural, physical and mental health outcomes. Relevance of this data to client/patient groups.

Resilience Scale Metaphor: Introduction to three principles to improve outcomes (increasing positive supports, reducing sources of stress and improving skills and abilities). Practical application of the Resilience Scale metaphor in routine practice.

Brain Story Implementation: Potential benefits of shared knowledge/understanding amongst professional and wider community. Opportunities for further training.