OP-ED: Diagnosis: Adolescence, Not Otherwise Specified

In this op-ed, Shawn C. Marsh, PH.D. calls for an understanding of adolescent development when dealing with youth who commit status offenses such as truancy, running away, and violating curfews.

In this op-ed, Shawn C. Marsh, PH.D. calls for an understanding of adolescent development when dealing with youth who commit status offenses such as truancy, running away, and violating curfews. Marsh discusses findings from the Coalition for Juvenile Justice’s recently released report titled, “National Standards for the Care of Youth Charged with Status Offenses,” which outlines best practices for courts and allied systems to better handle low-risk behavior like status offenses. It is important, Marsh says, that the impulsive decisions and risky behavior of adolescents be viewed as a necessary phase of maturation that allows for the development of essential skills.