Can Stress Cause Developmental Delays in Homeless NYC Students?

 

Stress and Developmental Delays

As you’ve no doubt gleaned from our previous blog posts, being homeless is incredibly stressful for the individuals living through it. While distress never benefits anyone, it is especially damaging to those whose brains are still developing, i.e. children and youths. Indeed, toxic levels of stress, such as that brought on by lack of stable housing, can lead to profound developmental delays, which can have lifelong effects. This blog post will examine the correlation between high levels of stress and developmental delays in homeless NYC students as well as what can be done to remedy them. 

What Constitutes a Developmental Delay in Homeless NYC Students?

As they grow up, all children are expected to reach specific milestones at specific intervals when compared to same-age peers. For example, by the age of 24 months, a child should be using about 50 simple words on a regular basis. [1] Every child develops differently, so a delay in one area one time does not, in and of itself, constitute a developmental delay. However, if the child perpetually lags behind his or her peers, he or she may be developmentally delayed. 


According to the Cleveland Clinic, developmental delays may occur in one or more of the following areas: 


  • Cognition: The child has difficulty reasoning, learning and processing information. 

  • Social interaction and emotions: The child struggles to get along with others, express their feelings and/or communicate their needs. 

  • Speech and language: The child can’t use and understand language as well as their peers. 

  • Motor skills: The child can’t coordinate their muscles at the same level of their peers. 

How Does Stress Cause a Developmental Delay in Homeless NYC Students?

All experience, whether positive or negative, shapes our brains. The younger we are when we have these experiences and the greater their intensity, the more profoundly they will alter our neural pathways, brain chemistry and ability to function in the future. 


The two hormones shaping our brains are cortisol and oxytocin. The former, induced by stress, triggers a “fight or flight” response, i.e. increased heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and overall oxygen use. The latter, on the other hand, helps produce feelings of love, attachment, trust and safety. [2] 


To be clear, some stress is good. Without it, we’d have no honor roll students, no sports stars, no graduates and no business or community leaders. However, this stress should be temporary and tempered with love and care. 


The problem for homeless students is that they’re absolutely awash in cortisol, rarely, if ever experiencing influxes of oxytocin. This deluge of cortisol can have damaging, lifelong effects, including, but not limited to: 


  • Poor self control 

  • Being easily triggered 

  • Behavioral problems

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder 

  • Concentration and memory issues

  • Inability to adapt to change 

  • Chronic anxiety, and 

  • Depression 

How Do You Help a Homeless Student Deal With Stress?

The good news is that oxytocin attaches to the same brain structures as cortisol, but is more potent, especially in developing brains. A strong support system of caring adults and peers can counteract many of the deleterious effects of cortisol. 


Furthermore, homeless students and their families should avail themselves of the rights and resources bestowed upon them by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and other federal, state and local laws. Additionally, there are many nonprofit organizations that will provide students with physical, occupational, behavioral and speech and language therapies as well as special education programs. 


Though we’re far from the only nonprofit organization that can help you, Mentor A Promise provides individualized care and instruction to each one of our students. Along with our network of partner organizations, we can help homeless students keep pace with their peers. 

Contact Mentor A Promise Today 

Our organization recognizes the immense potential within each individual and seeks to provide them with the educational resources and opportunities they need to thrive. To that end, we have built a strong network of family shelters, educational institutions and community organizations to support homeless children, youths and their families. Click these links to learn more about what we offer or to get involved. Together, we can break the cycle of homelessness.

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