Are Teens Born to Be Wild? Why Teens Take Risks and How We Can Keep Them Safe

Texting while driving. Binge-drinking. Bullying. Unprotected sex. There are plenty of reasons for parents to worry about getting a late-night call about their teen. But most of the advice parents and educators hear about teens is outdated and unscientific–and simply doesn’t work.

Acclaimed adolescent psychiatrist and educator Jess Shatkin brings more than two decades’ worth of research and clinical experience to the subject, along with cutting-edge findings from brain science, evolutionary psychology, game theory, and other disciplines along with the perspective of a concerned dad himself.

Using fresh actionable information, clinical anecdotes, research-based observations and stories, Shatkin will explain why young people make dangerous choices and offer solutions that work. In easy to understand terms you will learn:

* Why “scared straight,” adult logic, and draconian punishment don’t work

* Why the teen brain is “born to be wild”–shaped by evolution to explore and take risks

* The surprising role of brain development, hormones, social pressures, screen time, and other key factors

Join us and discover what adults can do–in everyday interactions–to work with teens’ need for risk, rewards and social acceptance, not against it. With new insights into the adolescent brain here is the why, the how and the better way to steer kids away from risky behavior and decode the adolescent brain ages 12-26.

Professor and physician Jess P. Shatkin MD, MPH leads the educational efforts of the Child Study Center at the NYU Langone Medical Center, where he supervises the training programs in child and adolescent psychiatry and pediatrics. He developed and continues to direct the nation’s largest undergraduate college program in child and adolescent mental health studies at the NYU College of Arts and Science, in addition to managing research studies designed to enhance student resilience and improve sleep. He is one of the country’s foremost voices in youth mental health, the radio host of “About Our Kids.” and the author of more than 100 publications, including Born to be Wild: Decoding the Adolescent Brain 12-26. You can learn more about his work at: drjesspshatkin.com

A Health Expo at 6:15 p.m. high lighting over 20 organizations will precede the 7 p.m. program and a Community Conversation will Glenbard clinicians will follow the program.

This free event is open to the public

Continuing professional development units are available.

Additional support for this program comes from AAIM.