Handout

Why Adolescence is Developmentally Wired for Disorganization

Therapy Insights Member Exclusive
Print Resource — US Letter — 1 page

Population:

Pediatric

Discipline:

OTSLP

Diagnosis:

Executive Function

References:

  • Casey, B. J., Tottenham, N., Liston, C., & Durston, S. (2005). Imaging the developing brain: What have we learned about cognitive development? Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9(3), 104–110.
  • Giedd, J. N. (2004). Structural magnetic resonance imaging of the adolescent brain. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1021, 77–85.
  • Steinberg, L. (2008). A social neuroscience perspective on adolescent risk-taking. Developmental Review, 28(1), 78–106.
This resource reframes adolescent disorganization from a behavioral deficit to a natural byproduct of a brain optimized for exploration and identity formation. It provides therapists with a neuro-informed framework to help parents shift from frustrating power struggles toward a stance of developmental mentorship and supportive scaffolding.
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