maywood schools parent education program

Maywood Schools Parent Education Program

March 31st, 2011

What were you thinking?

The Teenage Brain

Prefrontal cortexthe “Chief Executive”

Reasoning / Judgment / Motivation

Ability to:control impulses and postpone

gratificationplan ahead / foresee consequencesinhibit / regulate emotionsevaluate behavior (one’s own or others’)understand others’ positionsmake wise choices (evaluating risk vs.

reward)handle social pressures

The Developing Frontal Lobes in Adolescence

Difficulty foreseeing consequences Difficulty planning or setting priorities

(making wise choices) Difficulty postponing gratification /

controlling impulses High pleasure / reward / novelty seeking High risk-taking behavior Exaggerated black and white thinking

(safe vs. unsafe) Heightened emotional reactions, fantasy

life Difficulty handling social pressures

Invulnerable?

Risk Assessment: MortalityRisk Estimate Actual

Die from any cause (crime, illness, accident, etc.) in the next year?

18.6% 0.08%

Die from any cause (crime, illness, accident, etc.) by age 20?

20.3% 0.4%

Fischhoff, B., Assessing adolescent decision-making competence, Developmental Review, #28, 2008

Are the consequences…

? ?

Bad Likely

Risk Assessment =

Probability X Consequence

Risk Assessment =

Probability X Consequence

X Payoff

Risk Assessment =

Probability X Consequence

X Payoff

X “Heat of the moment”

Two BrainsTHE “CLASSROOM BRAIN” “HEAT OF THE MOMENT”

BRAIN

What makes the brain “hot”

Heightened emotion Anger Jealousy Fear Sexual arousal

Intoxication Peer “pressure” Impulsivity –

immediate gratification

Why Kids Get High

Peer acceptanceInclusion/Attention / Status / Confidence (social)

Coping strategyTo alter feelings / experiences

Experimentation / curiosity / rebellion

What kids are using Alcohol Marijuana Prescription medication

Pain medications: OxyContin, Vicodin, Percodan

Benzodiazepines: Xanax, Valium Sleep medications: Ambien , Lunesta ADHD medications: Ritalin , Adderall

Heroin Cocaine OTC cold medication (“triple C’s”) Inhalants Club drugs (particularly Ecstasy) New fads (Four Loko, bath salts)