Last updated: May 2024

During your teenage years and into adulthood, your body and brain will be going through a lot of different changes. All of this will be affecting:

• how you feel about your identity;
• starting to become more independent
• making close friendships and relationships
• developing your analytical thinking
• working out what is important to you.

Your brain will keep developing, affecting things like your:

• organisation
• levels of risk taking
• hormones and emotions
• decision-making
• sleep patterns
• levels of stress

And then on top of all this, you are managing your SMA, which brings its own complications. This time period is a bit like a jigsaw that you are constantly expanding and building on, and it means change for your parents and carers as well.

See our section on Personal Life for more information about:

• personal space at home
• sex and relationships
• managing periods
• mental health and wellbeing.