The Teen Brain: Still Under Construction - a brochure by National Institutes of Mental Health summarizing recent research in teen brain development.
A must for educators and parents.
Excerpt: The assumption for many years had been that the volume of gray matter
was highest in very early childhood, and gradually fell as a child
grew. The more recent scans, however, revealed that the high point of
the volume of gray matter occurs during early adolescence.
While
the details behind the changes in volume on scans are not completely
clear, the results push the timeline of brain maturation into
adolescence and young adulthood. In terms of the volume of gray matter
seen in brain images, the brain does not begin to resemble that of an
adult until the early 20s.
NCCP: Adolescent Mental Health in the United States: Facts for Policymakers
National Center for Children in Poverty, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. Author:
Susan Wile Schwarz Publication Date:
June 2009
Comprehensive, authoritative, exactly
the right length and depth for a policymaker (or anyone) to read.
Excerpt: "Because their brains are still developing, adolescents are
particularly receptive to the positive influences of youth
development strategies, social and emotional learning, and
behavioral modeling.
2
3 But adolescents’
developing brains, coupled with hormonal changes, make them more
prone to depression and more likely to engage in risky and
thrill-seeking behaviors than either younger children or adults.
These and other factors underline the importance of meeting the
mental, social, and emotional health needs of this age group.
Intense Minds Through the Eyes of Young People with Bipolar Disorder by Tracy Anglada. (Book)
Tracy Anglada has a son who developed bipolar disorder as a child. She struggled to grasp what he child was experiencing, but it was totally alien to her memories of her own childhood. She longed for understanding.
Excerpt: “I found such understanding by listening to children with bipolar disorder, and by listening to adults whose symptoms emerged during childhood. These are the ones who truly know what it feels like.”
So begins Anglada's compendium of observations about bipolar disorder by those who have it. My daughter and I read these quotes to one another as we traveled one day. Quotes would spark memories and discussions about her childhood and teen years. Both she and I learned more about how the disorder had affected her. Each of us made a quantum leap in understanding that day. A wonderful book to share between friends, or parent and child.
I have had students with bipolar who loved this book. It tells them they are not alone. It also helps them distinguish the effects of the disorder from their true identity. I always keep a copy on the shelf in my classroom available for students to read.
This is an outstanding publication. If you are researching ADHD, read it before anything else.
Intense Minds Through the Eyes of Young People with Bipolar Disorder by Tracy Anglada. (Book)
Tracy Anglada has a son who developed bipolar disorder as a child. She struggled to grasp what he child was experiencing, but it was totally alien to her memories of her own childhood. She longed for understanding.
Excerpt: “I found such understanding by listening to children with bipolar disorder, and by listening to adults whose symptoms emerged during childhood. These are the ones who truly know what it feels like.”
So begins Anglada's compendium of observations about bipolar disorder by those who have it. My daughter and I read these quotes to one another as we traveled one day. Quotes would spark memories and discussions about her childhood and teen years. Both she and I learned more about how the disorder had affected her. Each of us made a quantum leap in understanding that day. A wonderful book to share between friends, or parent and child.
I have had students with bipolar who loved this book. It tells them they are not alone. It also helps them distinguish the effects of the disorder from their true identity. I always keep a copy on the shelf in my classroom available for students to read.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
From the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) comes a detailed booklet that describes ADHD symptoms, causes, and treatments, with information on getting help and coping.
This is an outstanding publication. If you are researching ADHD, read it before anything else.
