Resources for Families of Teens

Youth with down syndrome wearing headphones

Parents tell us...

"Being a teen was hard for me. It could be worse for him." 

"Sometimes her dad and I get scared.  We worry about her safety and judgment, but want her to have friends too."

"I want him to be independent but he really has no clue what real life is like.  As a single parent I want to let him be happy, but I need to know he can take care of himself." 

Teen recreation and sports

Sports and recreation are great ways to build independence, confidence, social skills, and a healthy lifestyle.  Here are some ideas to support your teen's participation.

Adolescent social-emotional and mental health

Being a teen can be stressful, and sometimes they do not want to talk about it.  Here are some resources for helping your teen become a mentally healthy adult.

Transition to adult health care and independent living

Service and emotional support animals

Animals can be a source of emotional and physical support, but they are also a lot of responsibility.  Learn more about the types of support animals and what rights and responsibilities come with owning a support animal.

Disclaimer

Inclusion of resources on our site does not imply endorsement nor does exclusion mean we do not think it is valuable. We work to keep our list of resources current and relevant but it is not exhaustive.

Contact us: 855-323-6744 (English) 503-931-8930 (Spanish) orf2fhic@ohsu.edu