The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog

As I read Dr. Perry’s book, I can’t help but think of how extraordinary it is that Dr.Perry has gotten to work with such diverse clientele. I can’t imagine most people in the helping professions, receiving these opportunities nearly as much. For a boy who had been kept in a cage for so long, I was surprised that Justin’s caregiver did not seem to be in much trouble. It also is very shocking to me that despite the Justin’s behavior, no doctor asked about how he was being raised. Furthermore if his caregiver had been of lower intelligence, it surprises me that he was deemed a fit guardian after the Justins’ grandmother passed away.

                The neurosequential model makes a lot of sense to me. It makes sense that certain experiences must be had or completed in order for the most basic parts of the brain to form correctly, and for the rest to develop in the proper manner. Kind of like a game of Tetris. I value so much the considerations Dr.Perry had for both Connor and Justin. Creating the air of safety, enabled him to bring in so much work. When comparing Justin, Connor, and Leon I tried very hard to pick out the differences. Justin and Connor despite their neglect both had positive immediate experiences as a baby with caregivers. Leon started off with his mother not knowing quite what to do, and very well could’ve been left alone as soon as his mother had recovered.

                I would have never thought of rhythm as such an important aspect. Sure some people are better at dancing or at musical instruments than others, and I usually attributed that to a natural inclination rather than a flourishing portion of something developmentally required. While some of us may just have rhythm down enough to walk without an awkward gait. The dancing rhythm also offered the repetitive movement in a safe environment, which Perry claims has a great impact. As someone who has worked with traumatized children, many with developmental delays, repetition and safety are very key.  

                Massage therapy isn’t really something I had considered. I understood that back scratches, hair brushing, or skin brushing were all sensory inputs that helped children soothe. I had never considered them being something more like massage therapy. The idea of using this therapy I feel could have its pros and cons. While it worked in Connor’s case, and proved to be very helpful, I wonder how effective this would have been had he actually had Autism? I know many individuals that have Autism are adverse to touch, and I’m curious if parents would still want to try massage therapy to try to gain back some physically affectionate behavior. It’s also a curiosity of whether the brain stem in someone who has Autism would be less or more developed than someone like Connors’ and still show the aversion to touch and rhythm?

                I think it is amazing that Mama P’s lesson has stuck with Dr. Perry all this way, and that her believing in making up what the child had lost and did not have, made such an impact on how he treated his clients. It reminds me of when I worked at a residential treatment facility for those struggling with addictions and disordered eating (majority of the clients having experienced trauma) , how some of them would engage in therapy that required them to embrace their inner child. This usually involved having stuffed animal and coloring books. I am curious if an appropriate adult simulation of rocking could’ve helped in that case as well.