Emerging Teens

[MomWithOCDSon]

DH heard this story on NPR this morning, and since I missed it, I had to follow up via the web site.

 

We only have one kid, and even though we have nephews and friends' kids to help us measure "normal" versus "atypical," it can get messy in terms of evaluation, especially with PANDAS in the mix.

 

But DS and I were both happy to hear/read this story regarding a virtual "remapping of the brain" in the teen years. Between the activity in the prefrontal cortex (standard teenage) and basal ganglia (PANDAS), it's no wonder our teen PANDAS are thrown for a loop! But when you read this story, you realize that maybe ALL the behavioral manifestations are not due to the PANDAS alone.

 

I'll happily take some of the standard teenage, prefrontal cortex behavior! Bring it on!

 

NPR Story - Teenage Brains

Edited August 16, 2010 by MomWithOCDSon

[tired mom]

It seems putting up with regular teenage issues and hormones would be a piece of cake for us parents.

[Kay]

In the beginning I was always back and forth between what was something not quite right and what was normal behavior for a teenager. I always said I thought it muddied the waters!