Perry & Pollard (1997) studied the impact of severe neglect on brain development and found that severe neglect resulted in smaller than average brain size, and "abnormal cortex development."  

Click here to read their important work. 

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In school, this abnormal brain development may present as:​

• cognitive delays

• difficulty with executive functioning tasks

• diminished ability to self-regulate  

(Center on the Developing Child, 2013)