Synopses & Reviews
In this national bestseller, acclaimed, award-winning psychologist Dr. David Walsh explains exactly what happens to the human brain on the path from childhood into adolescence and adulthood. Revealing the latest scientific findings in easy-to-understand terms, Dr. Walsh shows why moodiness, quickness to anger and to take risks, miscommunication, fatigue, territoriality, and other familiar teenage behavior problems are so common -- all are linked to physical changes and growth in the adolescent brain. andlt;BRandgt; andlt;Iandgt;Why Do They Act That Way?andlt;/Iandgt; is the first book to explain the changes in teens' brains and show parents how to use this information to understand, communicate with, and stay connected to their kids. Through real-life stories, Dr. Walsh makes sense of teenagers' many mystifying, annoying, and even outright dangerous behavioral difficulties and provides realistic solutions for dealing with everyday as well as severe challenges. Dr. Walsh's techniques include, among others: sample dialogues that help teens and parents talk civilly and constructively with each other, behavioral contracts, and Parental Survival Kits that provide practical advice for dealing with issues like curfews, disrespectful language and actions, and bullying. With this arsenal of strategies, parents can help their kids learn to control impulses, manage erratic behavior, cope with their changing bodies, and, in effect, develop a second brain.
Review
"A powerful, practical book on the teenage brain. Walsh is a storyteller with the gifts of simplicity and clarity. This book is an easy read, but its message is fresh, nuanced, and important. I recommend it to all parents who ask themselves, 'Why do they act this way?'"andlt;BRandgt; -- Mary Pipher, Ph.D., author of andlt;Iandgt;Reviving Opheliaandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
Gail Saltz, M.D. Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, The New York Presbyterian Hospital; Today Show Mental Health Contributor; author of Becoming Real Dave Walsh's weaving together of current understanding of the teenage brain with years of clinical experience with teens has produced a thoughtful, practical, and down-to-earth guide that enables parents to understand and deal well with their teenagers. If you are struggling with your adolescent, or even anticipating your child's entrance into those crazy years, this book will show you how to help both you and your teen have the healthiest, sanest passage.
Review
"Parents will find the book immensely informative,reassuring, and useful. I highly recommend it!"andlt;BRandgt; -- Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of andlt;Iandgt;Driven to Distractionandlt;/Iandgt; and andlt;Iandgt;The Childhood Roots of Adult Happinessandlt;/Iandgt;
Review
"You'll finish it feeling as if you've just had coffee with someone who is not only entertaining and enlightening but who knows exactly how it feels to be the mom or dad of a twenty-first-century teen."andlt;BRandgt; -- Cheryl Dellasega, Ph.D., author of andlt;Iandgt;Surviving Opheliaandlt;/Iandgt;
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;David Walsh, PhDandlt;/bandgt;, is one of the worldand#8217;s leading authorities on children, teens, parenting, family life, and the impact of technology on childrenand#8217;s health and development.andnbsp; In 1995, he founded the internationally renowned National Institute on Media and the Family, which he led until 2010.andnbsp;He is currently launchingandnbsp;a new company called "Mind Positive Parenting" to coincide with the release of andlt;Iandgt;Parenting with the Brain in Mindandlt;/Iandgt;. Dr. Walsh has presented workshops to parents, educators, and professionals throughout the world. Dr. Walsh has also authored columns on numerous topics and his articles have appeared in newspapers across the country, including theandlt;iandgt; Washington Postandlt;/iandgt;, andlt;iandgt;Los Angeles Times andlt;/iandgt;and others. A frequent guest on national radio and television, Dr. Walsh has appeared on NBCand#8217;s andlt;iandgt;Today Show, Good Morning America, The CBS Early Show, The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, Dateline NBC, andlt;/iandgt;ABCand#8217;sandlt;iandgt; 20/20, andlt;/iandgt;National Public Radioand#8217;s andlt;iandgt;All Things Considered andlt;/iandgt;and andlt;iandgt;Morning Edition, andlt;/iandgt;and has been featured on three nationally broadcast PBS specials. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Council on Family Relationand#8217;s andlt;iandgt;Friend of the Family Award.andlt;/iandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andlt;BRandgt;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp;andnbsp; He is on the faculty of the University of Minnesota, is a senior advisor at Search Institute and has published many articles in the professional and general press. He is active in many professional associations, is a licensed psychologist and has been the recipient of awards and an honorary doctorate. He and his wife Monica live in Minneapolis, have three adult children and two grandchildren.
Table of Contents
Contents One: Making Sense of Adolescence
Two: A Guided Tour of Their Brains
Three: Why Adolescents Are Impulsive
Four: Risky Business: Helping Teens Put on the Brakes
Five: What We Have Here Is a Failure to Communicate
Six: Male and Female Brains: Sexual Stereotyping and Sexual Identity
Seven: Love, Sex, and the Adolescent Brain
Eight: Monkey Wrenches in the Brain: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
Nine: Adolescents and Media
Ten: The Story Behind Tired Teens
Eleven: When Things Go Wrong in the Brain: Adolescent Mental Illness
Twelve: The Psychological and Social Dimensions of Adolescence
Thirteen: The Importance of Connection and Guidance
Fourteen: In Conclusion
Notes
Acknowledgments
Index