The Latest Evidence on Autism Diagnoses and Treatment
The medical conditions we now call “autism spectrum disorders” were first identified and labeled in the late 1930s. This group of disorders result in communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors, sensory issues, and problems with social interaction. The medical community’s understanding of these disorders and the best ways to treat them is constantly evolving. [Read more…]
How Racism Affects Youth Health and Well-being
We’ve written previously about how racism affects the health and well-being of millions of Americans. The evidence demonstrates that people who experience racial discrimination are more likely to have a range of health problems, including poorer mental health and a lower quality of life.
The Evidence on How Kids Learn To Read
Reading is an essential life skill that predicts success on many levels later in life. There is clear evidence demonstrating that young people who do not learn to read proficiently are more likely to live in poverty, achieve a lower educational level, and become involved with the criminal justice system. [Read more…]
What to Do If a Loved One Self-Injures
Research shows that approximately 17 percent of youth intentionally injure themselves at some point – not in an effort to take their own lives, but as a cry for help or an emotional release. Self-injury is most common among teenagers, and more common among sexual minorities and youth with mental health disorders. [Read more…]
Sex Education and Parenting: What We Know
When you think of sex education, the first thing that comes to mind may be a classroom full of giggling and blushing middle school students. But there is clear evidence that the foundations for sex education – and much of what determines adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes and behavior – comes from parents and guardians at home. [Read more…]
Parenting Classes: Helpful at Any Age
The early bird gets the worm.”
“Begin as you mean to go on.”
“The earlier, the better.” [Read more…]
How to More Effectively Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
Every day, children in the United States experience sexual abuse. It’s difficult to determine how widespread this problem is because child sexual abuse is not uniformly defined and most certainly under-reported. The best data available tells us that more than 25 percent of girls and 5 percent of boys experience sexual abuse at some point during their formative years. [Read more…]
Do Girls Perform Better in School?
Kids across the nation are headed back to school. For boys and girls, that means the excitement of seeing friends and learning new subjects. But does gender make a difference?
The Evidence on Kids, Sleep, and School Start Times
It’s nearly time for kids across the country to head back to school and that means—for most kids—waking up bright and early. While early mornings are not often problematic for younger kids, tweens and teens often struggle to get up in the morning. [Read more…]
How To Treat the Growing Problem of Childhood Anxiety
Whether it’s feeling nervous to attend a new school, afraid of a scary looking bug, or scared of the dark, most children experience some form of anxiety. But up to one in three children experience more severe anxiety that affects their ability to learn and socialize. [Read more…]