normal development process (Cole & Cole 2001). In an environment where neither the normal attachment nor caring, stimulating environment is present for prolonged periods of time, the ability for children to develop normally is substantially hindered.
             One of the most apparent effects of severe and prolonged isolation and neglect of a young child is the physical difficulties that the child displays. A study conducted by Elmer and colleagues found that of a group of abused children, 32% fell below the third percentile in height and weight while the overall group showed unusually high proportions of other physical growth deficits and a "failure to thrive" (Toro, 1982). Further specific and extremely severe physical effects of isolation, neglect, and abuse can be derived from particular case studies. In several instances, there has been the discovery of cases where children have been so severely neglected and maltreated that they are physically incapable of even the simplest tasks and are extremely underdeveloped for their chronological age. One such case is that of Genie, a girl discovered at age 13 who was kept locked in a room by herself and subjected to extreme isolation and maltreatment for over 11 years. She was chained to a potty by day and at night was tied up in a sle
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