Session Name

Overcoming the Effects of Poverty on the Brain with Horacio Sanchez

Speaker Information

Horacio Sanchez is a highly sought-after speaker and educational consultant who helps schools apply neuroscience to improve educational outcomes. He addresses topics such as overcoming the effects of poverty, improving school climate, implementing brain-based instruction, and addressing issues related to implicit bias. He is widely recognized as one of the nation’s top experts on resilience and applied brain science.

His diverse education and background have enabled him to integrate research, science, and practice. Horacio serves on the True Health Initiative's Council of Directors, a coalition of more than 250 renowned health experts dedicated to educating people about proven lifestyle principles as medicine. He has written several articles and books on topics such as resilience, closing the achievement gap, and applying neuroscience to improve educational practices and outcomes. He is the author of the bestselling book, "The Education Revolution," which applies brain science to enhance instruction, behavior, and school climate. "The Poverty Problem" explains how education can foster resilience and counteract the effects of poverty on brain development and function. David Flink, CEO of the Neurodiversity Alliance, said his new book, "Unlocking School Bias," is "life-changing.”

A growing body of research shows that poverty consistently leads to a loss of gray matter in the prefrontal cortex. Why is this important? The prefrontal cortex plays a significant role in complex cognitive tasks, personality, social behavior, and decision-making. Low socioeconomic status also correlates with a decline in brain white matter, which reduces communication between the cortex and the amygdala and thereby diminishes self-control. When the prefrontal cortex's control is compromised, the amygdala often overrides the rational brain, leading to a loss of emotional control and inappropriate behavior. The impact of poverty is changing, negatively affecting students' academic performance and social behavior. The session will also provide participants with concrete strategies to be proactive rather than reactive in addressing both academic and behavioral issues associated with poverty.

Following this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify brain regions affected by poverty and their cognitive, emotional, and social effects.
• Offer strategies to address cognitive deficits that stabilize the prefrontal cortex and enhance its function.
• Describe how poverty negatively affects brain regions responsible for social behavior and suggest strategies to improve emotional regulation.
• Demonstrate intervention techniques to enhance social behavior and empathy.
• Provide participants with concrete strategies to increase gray matter in the prefrontal cortex and boost executive function.