PERILS AND PITFALLS ON THE PATH TO NORMAL POTENTIAL - THE ROLE OF IMPAIRED ATTENTION - HOMAGE TO BIRCH,HERBERT,G

The research of Herbert Birch and colleagues, conducted 30 years ago i n a rural area of Guatemala, called attention to the permanent noxious effects on cognitive development associated with conditions of povert y. Half of the world's population, including millions of persons in th e United States, are still afflicted by these conditions. Included amo ng these are malnutrition, disease, toxic agents, perinatal injury, an d lack of intellectual/social stimulation. Recent research findings on the cognitive effects of these poverty-related variables are presente d; the effects appeal to be expressed in a reduction of the brain's ca pacity to engage in attentive behavior. Neuropsychologists, by virtue of their interests and training, are in a position to develop methods of assessing and correcting these deficits, and must become advocates of improved conditions to foster better brain development for all of t he world's children.