What’s Going on in There; Understanding Adolescent Brain Development

1. What’s Going on in There; Understanding Adolescent Brain Development Presented by: Lori A. Hoffner Speaker~Trainer~Consultant Supporting CommUnity, Inc. www.SupportingCommUnity.com Lori@SupportingCommUnity.com 720-353-2863

3. The Approach • The Key Is… • Focus on Strength • Focus on Building • Cultural competence is critical • Relationships are key • Celebrate this time

4. Hardwired to Connect • Young brains are WIRED for deep connections • The science of nurturing • Through relationships they start to define moral and spiritual concepts.

5. “The fundamental law of human beings is interdependence. A person is a person through other persons.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu

6. Research Shows… • Birth to __________ • Puberty begins earlier • Adolescence last longer • Brain is fully grown by age 12, however there are still thousands of neuro-transmissions that still need to develop/connect.

7. Research Shows • Jean Piaget had part of the story • 10-12 year old do have the capability of manipulation. • Formal Operational Thinking • Complex reasoning is only one brain function.

8. Parenting… • Keeping it all in perspective • “What did I do wrong” • It’s just as confusing to them as it is to you. • You cannot afford to stop parenting; don’t give up. • Your adolescence still need your CONNECTION – GUIDANCE and LOVE PERSISTANCE and CONSITANCY in your MESSAGE and BEHAVIOR

9. How it works… • Electrical • Neuron, axons, dendrites • When a baby is born, only about 17% of his neurons are connected out of the possibility of a quadrillion.

10. How it works continued… • The wiring of the brain; genetics and experience. • Genetics – the hard wiring • Life experience – the soft wiring “Neurons that fire together – wire together”

11. Creating the Paths

12. Creating the Paths • Walking through the snow • Repetition = support • Making a way, blazing a trail • “How many times do I have to tell you?” • Thousands of pathways

13. Using the Paths • A trip to the grocery store • It takes practice

14. BRAIN BLAST!

15. Adolescents are… • Working hard to make the shift from concrete to abstract thinking. • Growing at warp speed

16. Adolescents are… • They are growing faster than any other time of their life. • How realistic is it for us to expect them to try out for things when they are at their most awkward. It only works when we help them make connections.

17. Adolescents are… • Working hard to make the shift from concrete to abstract thinking. • Growing at warp speed. • Thinking about a lot! Connection – Guidance – Love

18. Brain Development • Use it or lose it. • Blossoming and pruning • Brain begins to learn what use and not use • Variety of experiences allow more pathways to develop “Neurons that fire together – wire together”

19. BRAIN BLAST!

20. Brain Development • Windows of opportunity • Some emotional skills are only developed during adolescence • Three that are: • Impulse Control • Relationships • Communication • Give them opportunities to develop (or practice) these skills.

21. Brain Development • Windows of opportunity • Positive experiences • Adverse experiences can have an even greater negative impact. • Window was “opened” so more adverse things stick.

22. Brain Development • Window of Sensitivity • Adversely affects neurotransmitters Teens and Alcohol • Dopamine • Glutamate Teens and Nicotine • Receptors • Dopamine

23. Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for you and Your Teen. David Walsh, Ph.D.

24. Brain Development • Myelination • Increases in certain parts of the brain100% during adolescence. • Sheath around all the main cables of the neurons; axons - makes the “firings” more accurate.

25. Brain Development • Five phases all occurring during adolescence: • Use it or lose it • Blossoming and pruning • Window of opportunity • Window of sensitivity • Myelination (insulation of nerve cells)

26. The Brain’s CEOPre Frontal Cortex • Planning and decision making • Impulse control • Emotional cues • Risk taking

27. “The problem is; My lips move when I think.”

28. The Brain’s CEOPre Frontal Cortex • Planning and decision making • Impulse control • Emotional cues • Risk taking

29. Phineas Cage syndrome

30. Hormones • More than 50 being produced in the body and the brain • Not just about sex • Surges

31. Neuroendocrine System • Hypothalamus serves as the master control • Testosterone • Progesterone • Estrogen

34. Neuroendocrine System • Neurotransmitters • Norepinephrine – energy • Dopamine – feel good • Serotonin – mood stabelizer

35. Hormone Surges • Mood swings • Energy swings • Teenage “laziness” • Sleep rhythms

36. Construction Zone • There is rapid development in other areas of the brain, the PFC is dark/dormant… basically under construction. • Sometimes it’s necessary for the adults to be the PFC.

39. BRAIN BLAST!

40. The Approach • The Key Is… • Focus on Strength • Focus on Building • Relationships are key • Cultural competence is critical • Celebrate this time

41. Non-Productive Things to Say to an Adolescent “What were you thinking” “Act your age” “Grow up”

42. It is normal for an adolescent to… • Argue for the sake of arguing • Jump to conclusions • Be self-centered • Constantly find fault in the adult’s position • Be overly dramatic

43. Creating the Paths

45. Creating Pathways Every Day • “Dinner Table” conversations • Homework • Group Activities • In the Classroom • On the Playing Field • In the Workplace • In the Community

46. Resource This training is based largely on: Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for you and Your Teen. David Walsh, Ph.D.