adolescents

Question 1

age ranges of adolescents, youth and young people

Answer 1

adolecents = 10-19yrs

youth = 15-24yrs

young people = 10-24yrs

Question 2

at what stage of adolescents is there increased gray matter within the CNS + increased in numer of synaptic connections?

Answer 2

early = 10-13yrs

Question 3

neurobiological changes as development progresses in adolescents

Answer 3

increase myelinations of long tracts - esp between cortex + lower brain

this allows for faster + more effective neuroconnections which in turn have an impact on behaviour leading to better judgement + reduction in impulsivity

Question 4

what neurobiological changes happen in late adolescents?

Answer 4

pruning of synaptic connections improving neural pathways

–> e.g. losing a language you knew as a young child

Question 5

assessment of an adolescents development

Answer 5

STEP
sexual maturation + growth
thinking
education
peers/parents

Question 6

questions to ask during an independent consultation (no parents)

Answer 6

• Home – relationships
• Education/employment – financial concerns, progress at school
• Eating – weight, body image
• Activities – physical activity
• Drugs
• Sex – activity, STIs, orientation, protection
• Suicidality
• Safety – risk taking behaviour/criminality

Question 7

short stature causes

Answer 7

• Genetic short stature
• Constitutional growth delay
• Dysmorphic syndromes
• Endocrine disorders
• Chronic disease
• Psychosocial deprivation