RESPECTfully is a social norms campaign designed to speak to teens directly with key messages that articulate everyone deserves mutual respect in relationships, and today’s tips were sourced from them. Youth-serving individuals and organizations can encourage parents and caregivers to be aware of the signs of unhealthy behaviors, educate teens on what respect looks like, and have clear conversations about consent. Parents, teachers, coaches, and caregivers can help increase the capacity for teens to experience…
Autism spectrum disorder (or ASD) is diagnosed four times more often in males than in females. Some research suggests that it could be because of the way ASD is diagnosed. Specifically, the symptoms that are included in the assessment for obtaining an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis might be more applicable to the ways males behave as opposed to females. On the other hand, it could be true that males do indeed experience autism more often…
Lego makes a great variety of toys and buildable sets, but did you know about their realistic MRI scanner sets? Lego’s MRI scanner sets, which feature a scanner, patient bed, waiting room, staff figures, and medical instruments, were designed specifically to help children learn about the procedure through hands-on play. The miniature MRI machine table even moves back and forth, mimicking a real procedure. The toy company recently announced that more than 1 million children…
It seems like more and more kids these days are being diagnosed with ADHD, but there is a difference in the rate of boys versus girls. Girls with ADHD can often go undiagnosed until adulthood, while boys with ADHD are often prescribed stimulant medications earlier than girls, researchers have found. The gender gap in diagnosis and treatment frequently leaves girls and women floundering. As a result, girls often struggle with their ADHD symptoms longer than…
The Trump administration says it will stop paying out $1 billion in federal grants that school districts across the country have been using for student mental health funding, including to hire mental health professionals like counselors and social workers. The Department of Education is telling impacted districts that the Biden administration, in awarding the grants, violated “the letter or purpose of Federal civil rights law.” The grants were part of the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities…
For many teachers, building relationships is a priority in the classroom – they put in time and effort to incorporate strategies into lesson plans and daily routines to forge bonds with their students. But what happens when there’s a breakdown in communication or a relationship degrades over time due to conflict or disagreements? Developing a relationship is one skill; repairing that relationship when it becomes fractured is another, according to author and high school history…
When kids feel bombarded by difficult emotions, they may feel a sense of helplessness, as if there is nothing they can do to pull themselves out of the storm. As parents, we know effective strategies are out there to manage emotions, but knowing which ones to use in the moment can feel overwhelming. In his new book, “Shift: Managing Your Emotions – So They Don’t Manage You,” neuroscientist Ethan Kross shares the most current research…
Adolescence is a time of intense learning and adaptation when we forge our sense of who we are and who we want to be. Throughout this remarkable period of development, we begin to explore the world and create new relationships with our peers and communities. Young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) are often tackling these developmental tasks with the added challenges of discrimination and victimization from their communities,…
Anybody can develop effective study habits to make studying more efficient and even enjoyable. A great way to begin is to start small with one or two new habits and work your way up to bigger changes. It’s also important to set realistic and achievable goals for yourself. Learn more about how to develop effective study habits with these six suggestions. 1. Set study goals for each session. These can be time-based or content-based. For…
On her son’s first day of kindergarten, Ruth Whippman, author of BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity, stood by as a parent volunteer welcomed each child at the gate. Two nervous little girls walked in first, and the volunteer crouched down, his voice warm and tender: “Hi, sweetheart.” Then came Whippman’s son. The volunteer straightened up, his tone dropping an octave as he gave a hearty high five and said, “Hey, buddy!”…
