Topic Guides

Each Topic contains our Guide, upcoming Events, the latest Blogs, Journal Articles, Podcasts and other media. Whether you are new to the Topic or want to find the latest research, here is your starting point.

Select a Topic from the list below, or use the submenu above.

  • Addiction & Substance Use

    Irrespective of the age group it is just as important to be aware of what we don’t know as what we can be more confident about. This is particularly true of young people and drug use, as most research investigating prevention and interventions has tended to focus on adult populations.

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  • Young boy and smartphone

    Attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

    ADHD is a behavioural disorder with three key aspects, inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

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  • Anxiety disorders

    Anxiety disorders in children and young people are common and can have a significant impact on mental health and well-being. Anxiety disorders can affect family, school and social life, leisure activities and educational achievement and they often occur alongside other mental health problems.

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  • Attachment

    The disposition of an infant or young child to identify and interact with the person or small set of persons considered most likely to provide them with care and protection is known as attachment.

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  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

    Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others. People on the autism spectrum may have difficulties with social communication, social interaction and restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviours, activities or interests.

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  • Therapist with young girl

    CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services)

    Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is a broad term for all services that work with children and young people who have difficulties with their emotional or behavioural wellbeing. As well as NHS CAMHS, local areas will have a range of other services available, based on local need and commissioning arrangements. These include services from local authorities, schools, charities, the private sector and community paediatrics.

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  • Cognitive training

    An introduction to cognitive training approaches, including working memory training, Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) and Attentional Bias Modification Treatment (ABMT).

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  • Depression

    Depression is common in children and young people, particularly in adolescence and among girls. On average, an episode of depression lasts for about eight months and often occurs alongside non-depressive conditions such as ADHD.

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  • Digital Interventions

    Many digital technologies are designed to be used in adjunct to established mental health treatments, not to replace them. Learn more with this Topic Guide.

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  • Developmental language disorders (DLD)

    Developmental Language Disorder

    Developmental language disorder (DLD) is diagnosed when a child’s language skills are persistently below the level expected for the child’s age. In DLD, language deficits occur in the absence of a known biomedical condition, such as autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome, and interfere with the child’s ability to communicate effectively with other people.

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