❏ Adolescence can be an important time in one’s life as the transition from childhood to adulthood begins. Yet, it is also a time of social and physical change which can be challenging for the adolescent and parents. Fortunately there is a plethora of literature that addresses some of these challenges as well as provides tips for a healthy relationship between parents and adolescents.

Kids Video Game Playing Improves Their Minds

It is a Saturday afternoon and the house is quiet except for the flicker of electronic screens as two children are immersed in playing separate video games. If left undisturbed, the children may still be playing several hours later. Many parents are concerned about their children playing video games for so long and the potential…

Concussion: When Hit to Head is Cause for Concern

A girl is furiously dribbling the ball up the court in a middle school girls’ basketball game. A player tries to catch her from behind but instead trips the girl. The girl’s head bounces twice on the floor before coming to rest. The girl just lays on the floor as various adults come rushing to…

Just Scratching the Surface with Cutting

The mother is concerned when she notices scratches all up and down her teenage daughter’s arm. When asked about them, the daughter said she was wrestling with the cat and was scratched several times. Still, the mother thought the marks were more organized than random scratches. She started becoming concerned there might be more going…

Depression and Anxiety in Kids Predicts Poor Achievement

This episode focuses on how children with emotional problems due academically as they get older. We are featuring a journal article this week titled The relationship between emotional problems and subsequent school attainment. The authors used 26 previous longitudinal studies on children and adolescents to explore the extent that internalizing disorders such as depression and…