Helping Your Child Identify Their Sensory Needs
When a child has a hard time managing sensory input, it can impact their emotions, attention, and ability to cope. For children living with mood disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), understanding sensory needs is an important part of emotional growth and self-regulation. With the right support, children can learn what their bodies need to feel calm, focused, and comfortable.
How to Help Your Teen with Test Anxiety
Fall is here and with it comes new stressors for students. Whether it be social, emotional or academic, most students face new struggles every school year – in this blog, we will be looking at academic pressure. Academic pressure is a reality for many teenagers, whether it comes from school expectations, college goals or their […]
Sleep, Physical Health, and Mental Well-Being in Adolescents
As teens navigate these changes, their mental health is deeply influenced by how well their bodies are functioning. Sleep, nutrition, movement, and technology-use all play critical roles in this mind-body connection. Understanding how these elements work together can help parents and caregivers support teens in building sustainable habits for lifelong wellness. The Mind Body Connection […]
The Importance of Diet in your Adolescent’s Mental Health
During the teenage years, the brain is undergoing significant development. Hormonal shifts, academic pressure, social dynamics, and identity formation all collide, making this stage of life uniquely challenging. While therapy, communication, and support systems are crucial, one often-overlooked tool in supporting adolescent mental well-being is diet. Research increasingly points to a strong link between gut […]
Teaching Teens to Identify and Express Emotions
As the adolescent brain develops quickly and drastically, so does the intensity of a teen’s feelings; a shift felt by kids and parents alike. New feelings can be scary! In the midst of this change, many teens struggle to understand or express what they’re going through. This is why emotional intelligence is such a valuable […]
Supporting your Teen’s Mental Health – Without Overstepping
Parenting an adolescent comes with unique challenges—none more delicate than supporting their mental health. It can be tricky to strike the right balance between being there for your child and giving them the space they need to grow. As a parent, your involvement is essential, but it must be handled with sensitivity and respect to […]
Understanding Anxiety & Depression in Adolescents
Adolescence is a time of rapid change. And in looking at the mental health challenges teens face, anxiety and depression are among the most common. These mental health challenges combined with the increased social, academic and internal pressures adolescents face makes the emotions that come up all the more complicated. However, seeking to understand an […]
The Teenage Brain and Emotional Development
Parenting a teenager involves navigating a rollercoaster of emotions, impulsive decisions, and unexpected mood swings. However, understanding the science behind adolescent brain development can provide valuable insights into why teens behave the way they do; in doing so, parents can guide their children through this critical phase with patience and support. So what’s going on […]
Understanding Adolescent Mental Health: A Guide for Parents
Check out Decade2Connect’s guide to understanding your adolescent’s mental health and using therapeutic techniques to provide the most effective parental support.
5 Qualities to Look for in your Child’s Therapist
This week is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week and according to the CDC, the percentage of adolescents with a mental health diagnosis rose 3% from 2019 to 2022. Of those adolescents, just over half received treatment from a mental health professional (CDC). Finding the right therapist for your child is important in supporting their mental […]