• WHY Do They Act That Way?

  • A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen
  • By: David Walsh, Nat Bennett
  • Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith
  • Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (72 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
WHY Do They Act That Way?  By  cover art

WHY Do They Act That Way?

By: David Walsh, Nat Bennett
Narrated by: Kaleo Griffith
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.47

Buy for $15.47

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Even smart kids do stupid things. It's a simple fact of life. No one makes it through the teenage years unscathed - not the teens and not their parents. But now there's expert help for both generations in this groundbreaking new guide for surviving the drama of adolescence.

In WHY Do They Act That Way? nationally renowned, award-winning psychologist Dr. David Walsh explains exactly what happens to the human brain on the path from childhood into adolescence and adulthood. Revealing the latest scientific findings in easy-to-understand terms, Dr. Walsh shows why moodiness, quickness to anger and to take risks, miscommunication, fatigue, territoriality, and other familiar teenage behavior problems are so common: all are linked to physical changes and growth in the adolescent brain.

But WHY Do They Act That Way? goes beyond the well-known issues of hormones and peer pressure. It is the first book to explain the changes in teens' brains and to show parents how to use this information to understand, communicate with, and stay connected to their kids.

About the author: Dr. Walsh actually likes teenagers and has worked with them and their families for more than 30 years as a parent, teacher, psychologist, coach, and trusted expert. Through real-life stories, he makes sense of their many mystifying, annoying, and even outright dangerous behavioral difficulties and provides realistic solutions for dealing with everyday as well as severe challenges. Dr. Walsh's techniques include, among others: sample dialogues that help teens and parents talk civilly and constructively with each other, behavioral contracts, and Parental Survival Kits that provide practical advice for dealing with issues like curfews, disrespectful language and actions, and bullying. In addition, Dr. Walsh explores the short- and long-term effects of drug and alcohol use on adolescent brain development, the effects of computer games and other activities, the brain differences between the sexes, and how to talk to your teen about sex and the epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases.

With this arsenal of strategies, parents can help their kids learn to control impulses, manage erratic behavior, cope with their changing bodies, and in effect, develop a second brain. Dr. Walsh's proven tactics will be extremely welcome to frustrated parents trying to help their children through this confusing time of life.

©2004 David Walsh, Ph.D. (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Parents will find the book immensely informative, reassuring, and useful. I highly recommend it!" (Edward Hallowell, M.D., author of Driven to Distraction)

What listeners say about WHY Do They Act That Way?

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    50
  • 4 Stars
    18
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    40
  • 4 Stars
    17
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    38
  • 4 Stars
    20
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

LOVE!!

Absolutely a must read! So thankful for this book- I feel like I have so many more tools

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Just what I needed to hear!!

Excellent. Excellent. Excellent.
A must read for every parent.
This book got me through some rough stages with my teen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A must have for parents of teens!

As a mom of two teenagers and 12 year old, I found this book very helpful. It was so interesting that I felt like I needed to be taking notes. The narration was impecable and kept me listening to the book to the end and I am sure I will lbe listening to this book again in the future. Thank you to the author for all your helpful advice.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A must have for complete parenting skills

I have read several books on adolescents behavior and this is my go to book for communicating with my 12 year old niece. It has actual examples of conflict and non conflict situations and gives many examples on how to communicate and resolve issues. I wish I had this book two children earlier.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great guide for understanding adolescents

Very good explanations for Adolescent behaviours. Their brain development and hormonal turmoil are very well explained. Their pitfalls in Love,Sex ,drugs and technology are very well documented. Parenting suggestions are practical and encouraging. Audio is great listen for parents, teachers and anyone interested in adolescents.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Helpful book for parents of adolescents

Pleasant voice that is easily understandable. I wish I'd found this book years ago. Very helpful in dealing with adolescent children.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!