The Adolescent Brain
A second window of opportunity - A compendium

Publication series:
Miscellanea
No. of pages: 72
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Abstract
In 2016, UNICEF
hosted The Adolescent Brain: A second window of opportunity, a symposium that
brought together experts in adolescent neuroscience to discuss this emerging
science and how we can apply it to support all adolescents – but especially
those already facing risks to their well-being, including poverty, deprivation,
conflict and crisis. The articles in this compendium elaborate on some of
the ideas shared at the symposium. Together, they provide a broad view of the
dynamic interactions among physical, sexual and brain development that take
place during adolescence. They highlight some of the risks to optimal
development – including toxic stress, which can interfere with the formation of
brain connections, and other vulnerabilities unique to the onset of puberty and
independence. They also point to the opportunities for developing interventions
that can build on earlier investments in child development – consolidating
gains and even offsetting the effects of deficits and traumas experienced
earlier in childhood.
Available in:
English