Understanding Teenagers

Typically, the biggest time of growth in our brains is in the first three years of our life (picture of a child under three with a speech bubble saying ‘’My brain is developing rapidly’’

 During puberty teenagers go through another rapid change in their brain development.

 As parents you may have noticed some differences in how your teenager behaves. As your teenagers hit puberty, and are coping with the changes in their bodies, they also have to cope with the changes in their brain.

Being a teenager with a neurodevelopmental disorder can be very tricky time for the young person, you as carers, and the whole family.

Approaches to consider with your teenager 

Approaches to consider with your teen When considering these approaches, it may be useful to highlight the strategies that you feel may work and try and work on a few at a time. If an approach is working for you at home make sure that you share this with others so they can use the strategy in other settings (other family settings/ education/ work, etc). It is important to share what works for your young person to ensure consistency across all settings.

Approaches for your teenager: 

• Attention and Listening 
• Understanding and talking about feelings 
• Adapting language and communication 
• Positive behaviour Strategies 
• Sleep 
• Supporting physical and mental wellbeing 
• Sensory Sensitivities 
• Managing change 

For more information and advice on coping with your teenager please visit NHS - Coping with your teenager