This is not quite consistent with what research is showing us, which is that adolescence is an important, necessary phase and that the restructuring changes that occur in the adolescent brain are vitally important developmental changes that enable new abilities to emerge. Old theories of the brain viewed the brain’s master control center-the prefrontal cortex, at the forward part of the frontal lobe-as simply not mature until the end of adolescence, and that the “immaturity” of the brain explained “immature” teenage behavior. Siegel: Discoveries from brain imaging studies reveal surprising changes in the structure and function of the brain during adolescence. Q: How have recent discoveries in brain development changed how we understand the teen brain? It’s incredibly gratifying to be able to offer research-inspired exercises and techniques that can actually help teens integrate their brains, and support and encourage healthy brain development and growth. For me, it’s exciting to provide teens with new information that really clarifies the truth about brain remodeling going on in those adolescent years, and what they can do about it. Siegel: Yes, this book is very accessible and intended to help teens make sense of their lives. Q: So your goal is to help teens, as well as adults, understand the changes the teenage brain is undergoing? I reviewed the books out there on the subject of adolescent brain development and found that none of them were written about teens for teens, and that most were, in fact, quite derogatory toward teens. These discoveries directly contradicted some of the popular beliefs, myths, and false statements about adolescence, like teens have “raging hormones” or are “lazy” or “out of control”-negative stereotypes which are really destructive not only to adolescents themselves, but to parents and teachers as well. As a clinician, an educator, and a scientist, I was intrigued by new discoveries in the science of brain development that have been made in the past five to ten years. As a father of two kids now in their 20s, I wanted to understand what happened to them in adolescence.

Q: What was your inspiration for this book? Siegel, MD, a clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine, about his New York Times bestseller.

This issue, Your Teen talked with Daniel J. But Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain takes it a step further by helping parents-and teenagers-use the science to improve their overall experience of adolescence. Several recent books have focused on the teenage brain in an effort to help parents understand what’s going on with their teenager. NovemUnderstanding Teenage Brain Development

Brainstorm by Daniel J. Siegel MD