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  • Understanding Adolescent Development

Understanding Adolescent Development

Adolescence is an exciting time for youth and those who care for them. The adolescence stage of development is a critical time and is another opportunity for adults to support the continued development of youth and young adults. Understanding adolescent development can help supportive adults work with youth in a more productive manner and promote open lines of communication. The following resources provide insight into the adolescent brain for parents or professionals working with youth, providing information on the development process and highlighting the changes in the brain during this stage of life.

Adolescent Brain Development
Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative
Provides research on resiliency and the potential of adolescent brains. The website highlights many resources including The Adolescent Brain and Foster Care and a factsheet titled What’s Going on in There?.

Adolescent and Young Adult Health
World Health Organization
Outlines adolescent development in terms of physical, neurodevelopmental, psychological, and behavioral changes.

Child Development: Teenagers (15–17 years of age)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Defines the various age groups and their development milestones and provides tips to parents on how to interact with their teenagers.

Executive Function and Self-Regulation
Harvard University, Center on the Developing Child
Discusses the importance of developing executive function and self-regulation skills during childhood and adolescence for healthy development into adulthood.

Understanding Adolescence: Seeing Through a Developmental Lens – Developmental Tasks and Attributes of Late Adolescence/Young Adulthood (Ages 18–24 years) (PDF - 52 KB)
State Adolescent Health Resource Center (2013)
Outlines the ever-evolving line between adolescence and adulthood, explaining how the process is gradual and varies by individual.

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