Pediatrics & Child Development 2026

Presenter: Robin Lynn Treptow
Affiliations: Fielding Graduate University | Harvard Extension School | Divine Mercy University
Presentation Type: Oral / Keynote Presentation

Title: Who says at-risk infants and children can’t do it? Raise potential and grow grit by offering challenge amid rich milieus

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🧠 Presentation Highlights

• Core Focus: Challenging unjust assumptions about infants born with congenital or early medical conditions.
• Key Insight: Social and physical pain activate the same neural pathways—bias literally changes how babies’ brains develop.
• Critical Issue: Low expectations from professionals can unintentionally limit cognitive growth in vulnerable infants.
• Groundbreaking Theory: Others’ expectations act as a powerful force shaping how children ultimately think, try, and function.
• Evidence Base:
– Published and unpublished research on bias among pediatricians and early intervention professionals
– Real-life illustration drawn from Dr. Treptow’s adult son with Trisomy 21
• Psychological Framework: The Rosenthal (Pygmalion) Effect demonstrates how expectations can create learned helplessness—or resilience.
• Neuroscience Perspective:
– All brains are neuroplastic
– Enriched social and learning environments dramatically influence outcomes
• Supporting Data:
– Romanian orphanage studies show brain disruption from chronic social threat
– Animal models reveal remarkable recovery when environments improve
• Key Message: Diagnoses predicting “lower ability” often conflict with lived family experience and emerging science.
• Call to Action: A paradigm shift is needed—move from deficit-based labeling to growth-centered medical narratives.

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👩‍⚕️ About the Speaker

Dr. Robin Lynn Treptow is a clinical psychologist and doctoral-level infant mental health specialist with over two decades of academic and clinical experience.

• PhD in Clinical Psychology – University of Nebraska–Lincoln (1999)
• PhD in Infant Mental Health – Fielding Graduate University (2019)
• Assistant Professor of Psychology, Divine Mercy University
• Teaches Positive Psychology and Human Flourishing
• Research focus: implicit bias affecting infants at risk for intellectual disability
• International speaker on healthcare provider wellbeing, stigma, and early development
• Brings powerful lived experience as the mother of a son with Trisomy 21

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🌍 Join the Global Conversation

Event: International Conference on Pediatrics, Neonatology & Child Health
📅 March 26–28, 2026
📍 Singapore & Online
🔗 Website: https://pediatrics.miconferences.com/
🔗 Register: https://pediatrics.miconferences.com/register
🔗 Abstract: https://pediatrics.miconferences.com/abstract-submission
📩 Email: pediatrics@mathewsconference.com
📞 Phone: +1 (312) 462-4448
💬 WhatsApp: +1 (424) 377-0967

#Pediatrics2026 #Infant Mental Health #Early Intervention #Neuroplasticity #Growth Mind set #Child Development #At Risk Infants #Implicit Bias #Healthcare Innovation #Global Pediatrics #Hybrid Conference #Mathews Conferences