It's kids' stuff for US expert at conference

A WORLD-renowned child psychiatrist was set to speak at a conference in the Capital today.

Dr Bruce D Perry, senior fellow of The Child Trauma Academy in America and author was due to make a speech to educationalists from across Scotland at an event charting the progress of the city's Growing Confidence project.

Dr Perry's clinical research and practice focuses on examining the long-term effects of trauma in children, adolescents, and adults and has been instrumental in describing how traumatic events in childhood change the biology of the brain.

He has served as a consultant and expert witness on many high-profile incidents involving traumatised children, including the Columbine High School massacre, the Oklahoma City Bombing and the Waco siege.

City education leader Councillor Marilyne MacLaren said: "Growing Confidence is a unique programme that promotes emotional wellbeing – it doesn't just focus on the child, but also on staff, on parents and on the communities where they live."