what’s going on in there; understanding adolescent brain development presented by: lori a. hoffner...
TRANSCRIPT
What’s Going on in There; Understanding Adolescent Brain Development
Presented by: Lori A. Hoffner
Speaker~Trainer~Consultant Supporting CommUnity, Inc.
720-353-2863
The Approach
The Key Is…Focus on StrengthFocus on BuildingCultural competence is criticalRelationships are keyCelebrate this time
Hardwired to Connect
Young brains are WIRED for deep connections
The science of nurturingThrough relationships they start to define
moral and spiritual concepts.
“The fundamental law of human beings is interdependence. A person is a person through other persons.”
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Research Shows…
Birth to __________
Puberty begins earlier
Adolescence last longerBrain is fully grown by age 12, however there
are still thousands of neuro-transmissions that still need to develop/connect.
Research Shows
Jean Piaget had part of the story10-12 year old do have the capability of
manipulation.
Formal Operational Thinking
Complex reasoning is only one brain function.
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
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.
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”
Creating the Paths
Creating the Paths
Walking through the snowRepetition = support
Making a way, blazing a trail “How many times do I have to tell you?”
Thousands of pathways
Using the Paths
A trip to the grocery store
It takes practice
BRAIN BLAST!
Adolescents are…
Working hard to make the shift from concrete to abstract thinking.
Growing at warp speed
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.
Adolescents are…
Working hard to make the shift from concrete to abstract thinking.
Growing at warp speed.
Thinking about a lot!
Connection – Guidance – Love
Brain Development
Use it or lose it.
Blossoming and pruning
Brain begins to learn what use and not useVariety of experiences allow more pathways
to develop
“Neurons that fire together – wire together”
BRAIN BLAST!
Brain Development
Windows of opportunitySome emotional skills are only developed
during adolescenceThree that are:
Impulse Control Relationships Communication
Give them opportunities to develop (or practice) these skills.
Brain Development
Windows of opportunityPositive experiences
Adverse experiences can have an even greater negative impact.
Window was “opened” so more adverse things stick.
Brain Development
Window of SensitivityAdversely affects neurotransmitters
Teens and AlcoholDopamineGlutamate
Teens and NicotineReceptorsDopamine
Why Do They Act That Way?A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for you and Your Teen.David Walsh, Ph.D.
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.
Brain Development
Five phases all occurring during adolescence:
1. Use it or lose it
2. Blossoming and pruning
3. Window of opportunity
4. Window of sensitivity
5. Myelination (insulation of nerve cells)
The Brain’s CEOPre Frontal Cortex
Planning and decision making Impulse controlEmotional cuesRisk taking
“The problem is;
My lips move when
I think.”
The Brain’s CEOPre Frontal Cortex
Planning and decision making Impulse controlEmotional cuesRisk taking
Phineas Cage syndromePhineas Cage syndrome
Hormones
More than 50 being produced in the body and the brain
Not just about sex
Surges
Neuroendocrine System
Hypothalamus serves as the master controlTestosterone ProgesteroneEstrogen
Neuroendocrine System
NeurotransmittersNorepinephrine – energyDopamine – feel goodSerotonin – mood stabelizer
Hormone Surges
Mood swings
Energy swings
Teenage “laziness”
Sleep rhythms
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.
BRAIN BLAST!
The Approach
The Key Is…Focus on StrengthFocus on BuildingRelationships are keyCultural competence is criticalCelebrate this time
Non-Productive Things to Say to an Adolescent
“What were you thinking”
“Act your age”
“Grow up”
It is normal for an adolescent to…
Argue for the sake of arguingJump to conclusionsBe self-centeredConstantly find fault in the adult’s
positionBe overly dramatic
Creating the Paths
Creating Pathways Every Day
“Dinner Table” conversationsHomeworkGroup ActivitiesIn the ClassroomOn the Playing FieldIn the WorkplaceIn the Community
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.
