What's Going on In There? The Neuroscience of the Adolescent Brain

When puberty hits and our young people seem to change overnight, it can feel overwhelming and hard to navigate. What's Going on in There? Explains what is happening in the teenage brain, using clear, relatable language backed by neuroscience. Adolescence is the most intense period of brain development since early childhood. This book breaks down the huge physical and chemical changes happening beneath the surface, including shifts in dopamine, facial recognition, hormones and more, helping you make sense of your young person's behaviour. Behaviours that seem 'moody', 'avoidant', or 'reckless' can be reframed as biological responses to intense change. Understanding this stage as a temporary, essential upgrade allows us to respond with more empathy and less confusion. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, teacher or youth worker, this book will help you stay calm, stay connected and support the incredible development unfolding in front of you. The better we support this stage, the better the outcome. For them, and for us.