Adolescent Growth & Development

What is Adolescence?  Adolescence, roughly the time between 13 and 19 years old, is challenging for EVERYONE! There are huge changes going on in the brain and in the body. These changes can be exciting, frightening, and confusing all at once.

Tips for Working with Adolescents

• Remember your own adolescence. Being able to recall how you felt at that age will help you better understand what your clients are experiencing.
• Respect!  Adolescents need you to respect them for who they are and understand their confusion, dreams, and concerns about life.
• Adolescents will question every rule and belief that is commonly accepted in your facility.  They may even argue with you about rules. You must stay firm and set appropriate limits by giving instructions, not orders.
• Adolescents hate it when you start a sentence with “When you grow up…”
• Independence and autonomy are important, yet teens still need adult guidance in setting clear limits. You may observe "out-of-control" behavior if rules and limits are unclear.
• Growth during adolescence is more rapid than at any other time in life.
• Adolescents need regular physical activity and time for relaxation.
• Have you ever noticed adolescents are always checking themselves out in the mirror? This is one way they get to know themselves and how they are seen in the world.
• Creative expression such as journaling, writing stories or poems, drawing, painting, doodling, or playing musical instruments helps teens express their thoughts and feelings in a non-threatening way.
• Friends are extremely important to adolescents, and they will be angry about being separated because of an illness or hospitalization. Encourage teens to keep in touch with their friends by phone, email, or scheduled visits.
• While they act like they are not listening at all, teens are experts at reading your body language. Always be genuine and empathetic. Remember that 7% of communication is what you say, the rest is how you say it. If there is a difference between your verbal and nonverbal communication, teens will respond to the body language first.
• Be a good role model. Show teens by your words and actions what it looks like to be a responsible adult doing their best each day. You may learn one day you had an effect on the way the young person tries to live and work as well.
• Give them independence and a chance to show what they can do!