Join us for a presentation of "Nature & Nurture" with Jared Gilliam 

Nature vs Nurture. The age-old battle. But for adoptive families especially, it may feel more like Nature & Nurture.

Having an adopted child, it is abundantly clear that kids come “pre-programmed” with a lot of their traits. How do adoptive parents understand the traits our children were born with and how we can nurture them as they grow?

With an undergraduate in genetics and Phd in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jared Gilliam will join us to provide: 

• a brief introduction on genetics and the bottom line
• simple genetic traits vs. complex, polygenic traits
• which elements of genes/genetics are "locked in" and what is adaptable
• explain what is known/not known about complex inherited traits (e.g. ADHD, ODD, temperament, etc.)
• thoughts & perspectives on how parents can influence health for non-biological kids