The Nature of Nurture : Biology, Environment, and the Drug-Exposed Child [Paperback]

Ira J. Chasnoff (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0970776209 | ISBN-13: 978-0970776204 | Publication Date: January 1, 2001 | Edition: 1

The health consequences for children exposed to alcohol, cocaine, and other drugs are enormous, but the implications for behavior and learning are even greater. The Nature of Nurture explores the biological and environmental factors that impact the ultimate development of drug-exposed children and presents practical strategies for helping children reach their full potential at home and in the classroom.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ira J. Chasnoff, M.D., is president of Children's Research Triangle and a professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. He is one of the nation's leading researchers in the field of maternal drug use during pregnancy and the effects on the newborn infant and child. His research projects include a study of the long-term cognitive, behavioral and educational developmental effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, cocaine and other drugs and the effectiveness of both outpatient and residential treatment programs for pregnant drug abusers. Dr. Chasnoff led the development and operation of a laboratory preschool program to develop specific interventions for children prenatally exposed to alcohol and other drugs and developed a model Head Start Family Service Center for children and their families at risk from drugs and the drug-seeking environment.

Dr. Chasnoff received his medical degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and served a pediatric residency at Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and has been a member of the Society for Pediatric Research and the Society for Research in Child Development. He is the author of four previous books and numerous articles on the effects of drug use on pregnancy and on the long-term cognitive, behavioral, and learning outcomes of prenatally exposed children.

The recipient of several awards for his work with high risk women, children, and families, Dr. Chasnoff for the past six years has been selected by a poll of physicians across the nation for listing in America's Best Doctor's, recognized for his ability to translate complex medical and psychological issues into relevant policy that guides the delivery of quality services.

Product Details

• Paperback: 168 pages
• Publisher: NTI Pub; 1 edition (January 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970776209
• ISBN-13: 978-0970776204
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,144,020 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diagnosis AND how to change behavior of problem children, September 26, 2002

By 

Steven Rothman (Monticello, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Nature of Nurture : Biology, Environment, and the Drug-Exposed Child (Paperback)

I am a CASA (court appointed special advocate) and just came from a lecture by Dr. Ira Chasnoff. He is completely convincing and wonderfully qualified on this subject.

He has run fascinating experiments and seems to have opened a completely new area of diagnosis for problem children. By running a diagnostic and treatment center for problem children, he can offer courses for people who deal with problem children or who are interested in starting a community program to deal with the growing problem. You might check into this...

But, after diagnosis, what can be done to help the child? Dr. Chasnoff describes treatment and can prove its effectiveness. Elsewhere, these children are usually drugged and often over-drugged, but without solving their behavioral problems. He has designed a series of solutions to help the child cope with actual structural brain dificiencies (caused by pre-natal drug use).

Of course, he has found that pre-natal drug use (including alcohol) affect behavior -- but, oddly, he has found that mothers who use drugs AFTER birth continue to affect the child's IQ! Thus treating the child without treating the mother can be futile (probably a reason why Head Start's good results do not last -- the parents must be treated too).

Highly recommended. It may save a life. If you have a problem child, consider getting diagnosis and treatment with Dr. Chasnoff. Get involved with bringing this new information into use within your community!