Inside the Mind of Clara Woods: A Nonverbal Artist with a Powerful Voice

Change Your Brain Every Day

Dr Daniel Amen

Braintrauma, Healthtips, Sleep, Obesity, Anxiety, Braininjury, Depression, Ptsd, Mentalhealth, Mood, Brainhealth, Health & Fitness, Energy, Disease, Addiction, Mental Health, Healthadvice, Adhd, Memory, Focus

4.6 • 1.8K Ratings

🗓️ 3 March 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Clara Woods is a neurodivergent artist who suffered a prenatal stroke, leaving her unable to speak, read, or write. Despite her challenges, Clara's vibrant artwork has been featured at world-renowned exhibits like Art Basel. In this powerful episode, Dr. Amen and Tana explore Clara’s brain scan, uncovering the remarkable ways her mind adapts. Joined by her mother, Betina, they discuss Clara’s journey, the impact of also having ADHD, and essential strategies for supporting individuals with special needs.

00:00 Intro

01:23 Sponsor

02:30 Clara & Betina

03:57 Prenatal Stroke

10:40 Painting

15:19 Inspiring Others

18:41 ADHD/Conflict Seeking Behavior

21:56 Clara’s SPECT Scans

27:48 How Art Helps the Mind

30:16 Overcoming Communication Challenges

31:41 Navigating Family Issues

35:24 Spreading the Message of Inclusion

37:26 Seizures and the Brain

41:30 The Impact of ADD on the Family

43:42 Your Brain Can Get Better

45:09 Sponsor

45:36 Wrap Up

Clarawoodscollection.com

Transcript

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0:00.0	Art is my happy place.
0:02.0	When I paint, it's like my brain takes a big, deep breath and relaxes.
0:07.0	Sometimes, when I feel sad or frustrated, painting helps me let all those feelings out, like magic.
0:14.0	I can put all my colors, shapes, and ideas on the candles, and suddenly I feel so much better.
0:21.6	It's like my paintbrush is talking for me since I can't use my words.
0:26.6	Painting helps me show the world what's in my heart and mind.
0:29.6	It makes me feel strong and proud like I can do anything.
0:33.6	Art is my superpower.
0:42.7	Every day you are making your brain better or you are making it worse.
0:48.6	Stay with us to learn how you can change your brain for the better every day.
0:58.2	In this week's episode on the Change Your Brain Everyday podcasts, Tanna and I are joined by a mother-daughter duo, Clara and Bettina Woods.
1:00.8	I met Clara at our 35th anniversary event and was blown away by her story.
1:07.4	Clara suffered a stroke in the womb and had come to see us at Aman Clinics, Costa Mesa, for
1:13.8	treatment. This is her powerful story of resilience, hope, and healing. Hope you enjoy this week's
1:22.0	episode. Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, obsessive thinking, past emotional trauma, ADHD,
1:32.9	or brain fog, and don't know where to turn?
1:37.2	Are your relationships a mess and you don't know why?
1:40.8	Have you had a brain injury, concussion, or just don't feel the same after COVID? Is your memory
1:47.2	worse than it was 10 years ago? Or do you have a parent or grandparent with dementia and want to
1:54.3	work on prevention? Yes, prevention is possible. But the sooner you start, the better.
2:01.6	For 35 years, we've been changing people's brains and their lives using brain spec imaging
2:08.6	and a personalized natural approach to brain and mental health care.
	...

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