Substance Use Trends Among Teens on the Spectrum
Autism is a form of neurodivergence that can present several challenges, including a heightened sensitivity to stimuli and difficulty picking up on social cues. Additionally, recent research suggests autism is a risk factor for developing a substance use disorder. As a parent of a teen with a confirmed or suspected autism diagnosis, here’s what you […]
Effects of Childhood Trauma on Brain Development
Children are constantly learning and taking in new information that affects their brain function. Just as positive experiences can impact a child’s perception of a situation, so do negative ones. As young people grow, the challenges they face can alter how they respond to future situations. Specifically, childhood trauma often influences brain development, resulting in […]
LGBTQ Bullying Statistics
While society has made some progress in being more tolerant and accepting of the LGBTQ community, this segment of the population is uniquely vulnerable to discrimination, abuse and bullying – especially during the turbulent teen years. In their most recent National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, the Trevor Project reported that 52% of LGBTQ […]
Bullying Prevention Month
Bullying is a pervasive problem in schools nationwide. About 19% of students in grades 9 through 12 reported experiencing bullying in various on-campus locations, while more than 15% said they had been targets of online or text-based harassment or threats. The effects of bullying in adolescence can be widespread and persist into adulthood, including social […]
Teens More Likely to Get Addicted to Marijuana
Thanks to widespread legalization efforts, marijuana has a perception of being less risky than drugs like methamphetamines or opioids. Countless movies and TV shows have depicted marijuana as a consequence-free way to have fun and relax. However, it’s essential to remember that it is still a controlled substance that can have severe long-term health effects […]
Prescription Medications Pose New Danger to Teens
As a parent, you may be worried about your teenager using drugs like marijuana or meth, without ever considering that an equally dangerous, addictive substance could be hiding in plain sight in your home’s medicine cabinet. Teen prescription medication abuse is a growing concern among health professionals because these drugs are readily available and have […]
Understanding the Shame Cycle
Everyone has experienced shame at least once in their life. Perhaps you remember being victimized by childhood bullies who taunted you with an embarrassing nickname. Or, maybe a friend or colleague caught you lying about something. In any case, you can probably recall in minute detail how small and inadequate those experiences made you feel. […]