Most parents these days wouldn’t dream of reliving their tween or teen years. Instead, here we are, guiding our kids through them. And these years don’t come with a roadmap (we wish!). You’re not just navigating puberty and big emotional shifts (which are a lot on their own), but also the added layer of disability, with its own unique challenges. Our tween and teen resources can provide guidance and support along the way.
5 must-reads for parenting tweens and teens
Whether your child is nine or 16, these are the years when all the “big stuff” starts to come up — puberty, periods, boundaries, consent, dating and relationships, lots of devices, and big changes in medical rights. These changes can make any parent feel blindsided. And on top of that, our kids are all going to process and cope with it in their own ways — sometimes in ways we expect, and sometimes not.
How are we supposed to handle all these shifts — and where do we even begin with conversations we might not feel ready to have with our kids, but that can’t really be put off? Here are some articles to get you started, filled with expert tips, resources like books and media, and more:
- How to help your tween and teen prepare for puberty→
- How to support your neurodivergent child through dating (brand-new article!)→
- How to talk to kids and teens about consent and boundaries→
- Learn about big changes in medical rights at ages 12 and 18→
- How to monitor your teen’s screen time and devices→
School supports for your tween or teen
It’s easy to forget how big and scary these school transitions really are, but moving into middle school and then high school can completely shift a child’s day-to-day routine. Suddenly, they’re navigating a bigger campus, multiple teachers and classrooms, lockers, gym class, and new friendships.
Add in IEPs, statewide testing, and the growing pressure of what comes after high school, and it’s no wonder these changes can feel overwhelming. Here are articles to get you started:
- Heading into middle school with an IEP? Read this→
- Heading to high school with an IEP? Read this→
- What to know about statewide testing in California→
- How to help your teen prepare for college→
- College accommodations for students with disabilities→
Undivided Updates → Proposed federal budget 2026-2027
The White House has released their budget proposal for fiscal year 2027, and there are some important considerations in the proposal that would negatively impact families with children with disabilities if enacted. In our latest legislation update, we break down the highlights so that families can understand and then contact their federal representatives to remind them, yet again, that special education, advocacy, and civil rights protections for individuals with disabilities are essential to our children and the adults they will become. Read our update on the proposed federal budget for 2026-27→
FREE live Q&A – Getting Ready for a CA Summer with Regional Center and the Self-Determination Program
Thursday, April 30, 12:00 p.m. PT
If your child is a Regional Center client in California, summer may open the door to services like additional respite hours, social-recreation programs, camps, and individualized supports. Join us for a FREE live conversation and Q&A with Undivided’s California Public Benefits Specialist and Self-Determination Program Consultant as we talk about how families can prepare for summer now. Register for free here→
FREE live Q&A → California Legislative and Budget Updates — May 2026
Thursday, May 21, 12:00 p.m. PT
As Medicaid and special education change at the federal level, we’re seeing the impact on California systems that our families rely on. Join us for a FREE webinar with Aaron Carruthers, Executive Director of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, to hear about how the state’s proposed 2026-27 budget will affect services for individuals with disabilities and how we can advocate for what our kids need. Register for free here→
Office hours
Wednesday, April 22, 12:00 p.m. PT
Join us for office hours with Undivided Director of Health Plan Advocacy, Leslie Lobel, who will be answering member questions about insurance, out-of-network claims, denials, appeals, and more! If you’re not a member, sign up here to participate→
Undivided Conversations
Streaming on Facebook and YouTube: Saturday, April 18, 10:00 a.m. PT.
Consent 101: How do we start teaching kids about consent in everyday moments? In this conversation, Erika Fundelius, PhD, assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, breaks down how to model body autonomy, set age-appropriate boundaries, and respond when other adults don’t get it.
If you’re parenting a tween or teen with an IEP, don’t miss this advice from Navigator Jen, fellow parent of a teen, about using Undivided’s IEP Assistant to make the IEP process easier! Check it out on Instagram→
Preparing for upcoming assessments? Hear from Dr. Karen Wilson about how assessments help us understand cognitive, emotional, and developmental shifts during the teen years. Watch on YouTube→
This week in our private Facebook group for parents: a survey for parents of kids with ADHD, early intervention for reading skills, a bowling group for teens, and more! Join the discussion→
Help us spread the word about these resources for parents of teens and young adults! Share Undivided articles on LinkedIn→
Undivided Voices Podcast → S2E13: Autism Nutrition Tips for Picky Eaters
In this episode, Undivided’s Head of Content and Community, Lindsay Crain, sits down with autism dietitian Brittyn Coleman to talk about picky eating in children with autism. Brittyn shares one of her most effective, practical tips to help expand your child’s food acceptance — without pressure, power struggles, or unrealistic expectations. Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and anywhere you get podcasts.
