The Teenage Brain and Type 1:

How to Help Your Tween / Teen on the Road to Greater Independence

Ellen H. O’Donnell, Ph.D.Mass General Hospital

The Teenage BrainPros and Cons

Functions of the Prefrontal

Cortex:

• Planning • Reasoning• Organization• Impulse Control• Judgment• Memory• Regulating Attention

• Self Monitoring

Preparing to Leave the Nest

Risk Taking has a purpose.

Motivated by novelty and rewards.

Will take greater risks when with friends.

Individual Differences

The Big Picture

What Teens with Type 1 Want:

What Parents of Teens with Type 1

Want:

For my teen to be more independent in taking care of his / her diabetes.

To be more independent in taking care of my diabetes.

DiabetesA Moving Target

95% of Diabetes Care is “Self”

Care Parents

School

Nurse

Teen5% for medical team

Division of Responsibilities:

ParentsTeen

School Nurse

Other Helpers

Remember:The Goal is not Perfection

Some Tips and ToolsMaking the Transition

Goal Setting

O SpecificO RealisticO MeasurableO Time Limited

O Sara will write down BG at bedtime nightly for two weeks. Mom will send to nurse to figure out adjustments.

Problem Solving

O S elect a Problem

O O ptions

O L ikely Outcome

O V ery Best One

O E valuate

CommunicationO Agree on a time and schedule for

routine talk about diabetes.O Leave meter in designated spot to review

O Set rules for critical communication.O e.g. If BG is above or below agreed upon

range.O Use tools:

O CalendarO Texting/ smartphonesO Software

The Bigger Picture

Putting Diabetes In It’s Place

Putting Diabetes on the “Back Burner”

Diabetes Burnout

It’s more like a fizzle