Embracing Hope

Chapter Two, “Understanding Your Child’s Brain: From Structure to Function,” explores how a child’s symptoms and behaviors are rooted in the brain’s physical regions and functional systems. The chapter introduces two essential frameworks: brain regions (the physical structures like the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and cerebellum) and brain domains (functional systems such as memory, attention, and executive function). Understanding these frameworks helps parents connect medical findings to daily behaviors, advocate for comprehensive support, and transform frustration into empathy by recognizing the biological basis of challenges.

Brain domains, popularized by Canadian researchers in the context of FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), are likened to departments in a company, each responsible for a specific function but working together for overall success. The ten domains—neuroanatomy/neurophysiology, cognition, language, academic achievement, memory, adaptive behavior, executive function, attention, affect regulation, and motor skills—are described with practical examples of how challenges in each area can manifest in daily life.