Physical Development:

Typical Development:

Puberty: grow body hair, increase perspiration and oil production in hair and skin, Girls breast and hip development, onset of menstruation Boys growth in testicles and penis, wet dreams, deepening of voice Tremendous physical growth: gain height and weight Greater sexual interest

Cognitive Development:

Typical Development:
Growing capacity for abstract thought Mostly interested in present with limited thought to the future Intellectual interests expand and become more important Deeper moral thinking

Language Development:

Typical Development:
Nonverbal Communication Able to make multiple interpretations Able to have multiple perspectives Able to interpret idioms and sarcasms

Atypical Development:
There are times when adolescent behavior exceeds the norm and becomes concerning. Some examples of this may be verbal or physical aggression, running away, heavy substance abuse or selling drugs, excessive risk taking (e.g. use of firearms, unsafe sexual practices, promiscuity), truancy, failing grades, lack of connection to peers, opposition to social norms and authority figures, unhealthy eating habits (e.g. restricting, purging, binging), and being unable to make decisions for oneself. If your adolescent is displaying these types of behaviors, it would be a wise choice to look into

therapy/counseling as a way to discover what is motivating these behaviors and how to create change.

Suggestions:
Adolescence is a time of rapid physiological and psychological changes occurring within the context of sociocultural factors (Larsen and McKinley, 1995). This transition can be orderly and serene or turbulent and unpredictable (Hartzell, 1994). Adults often complain about the defiance, moodiness, and unconventional subculture (clothing, music, hairstyle) for teens. However, these adults frustration usually stem from a lack of understanding of the normal developmental events that occur during adolescence and importance and purpose of these changes. As a parent, being approachable and balancing rewards/punishments can lead to fewer conflicts and greater validation for your teen.

Social/Emotional Development: Typical Development:

Searching identity Searching independence Influenced by friends More Self-conscious

Atypical Development:
Stable sense of self Lees vulnerability Un-Rebellious behavior

Suggestions:
To help support childs social and emotional development adults should be a role model for forming and maintaining positive relationships, get to know your childs friends. If one is concerned about childs choice of friends, then provide gentle and consistent guidance. Respect their feelings and try to understand their perspective. Be a role model for positive ways of dealing with difficult emotions and moods.

Moral Development: Typical Development:

Vulnerable to peer pressure and peer values. Sort out which values will become part of themselves Becomes interested in whats good for society.

Atypical Development:
Unable to recognize powerful authority figures. Unable to reason about moral values

Suggestions:
Help children develop moral decisions and help them reflect an understanding of what benefits and fosters harmonious relationships among group members. Guide them and help them understand that laws are intended to serve everyone's best interest. Culture has powerful effects on adolescent development. Moreover, the different components of culture such as beliefs, values, languages, and behaviors, and human-made aspects of the physical environment, that varies from one group to another often interact with one another. For example, cultural values and societal systems may impact individual adolescents' development through the mediating effects of social contexts such as family and peers. They also may moderate the association between social and environmental factors and adolescent outcomes.

Resources:
Hartzell, H. E. (1984). The challenge of adolescence. Topics in Language Disorders. Larson, V. L., & McKinley, N. (1995). Language disorders in older students: preadolescents and adolescents. Eau Claire, WI: Thinking Publications.