Bruce Perry: Child Trauma Expert
Bruce D. Perry (born 1955) is an American psychiatrist and researcher specializing in children's mental health and neuroscience. He is a senior fellow at the Child Trauma Academy in Houston and an adjunct professor at the Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
Perry has conducted extensive research on the long-term effects of trauma on children and adults, highlighting the impact on brain development. He is known for his Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics, used in trauma recovery programs. Perry has served as an expert witness in high-profile cases involving traumatized children, including the Columbine High School massacre and the YFZ Ranch custody cases.
One of Perry's notable theories is that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is not a disease, but rather a description of symptoms that are common to many individuals at different times. He argues that the diagnosis of ADHD should be made with caution and that appropriate treatment should focus on addressing underlying factors.
Perry has authored several books, including "Born for Love: Why Empathy is Essential --and Endangered" and "What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing" with Oprah Winfrey. His work has gained recognition within the mental health community and has influenced practices related to trauma recovery and child development.
In 2018, Perry's wife, Arlis Perry, who had been murdered in 1974, was identified as Stephen Crawford's victim based on DNA evidence. Crawford, a former campus security guard, was suspected and later died by suicide.