American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

04/16/2026

New research from Pew Research Center finds that most US teens say that Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat aren't harming their mental health. Unsurprisingly, when researchers surveyed those same teens' parents, they had a more negative view of the apps' impact on their children.

Most teens in the United States say that Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat aren't harming their mental health, according to a new report from Pew Research.

04/14/2026

Treating kids with autism spectrum disorder means seeing beyond the symptoms to understand and support the whole child.

04/13/2026

Children are not immune to the anxiety and grief created by a world punctuated by conflict and violence.

In a MedPage Today opinion piece, AACAP member Dr. Jonathan Slater sheds light on how children’s distress about war often goes unrecognized and unsupported.

Op-ed: https://bit.ly/3Qk07ct
AACAP Resource Center on Terrorism & War:
https://bit.ly/4sdQHwM

04/08/2026

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition which is usually diagnosed by age 3. For families navigating this diagnosis, trusted guidance and strong supports are critical.

The AACAP Resource Library on Autism is a great place to start:
https://bit.ly/47OnBMT

04/07/2026

April 7th is ! Today, and every day, AACAP delivers policies and clinical guidance that reflect the collective expertise of child and adolescent psychiatrists and are informed by the best available scientific evidence. Children deserve nothing less.

04/06/2026

Psychiatrists supporting Arab American children and families must acknowledge how cultural values, family structures, immigration experiences, and generational dynamics shape care.

Thank you to the AACAP Arab Caucus for developing a practical clinician guide on working with Arab American children and their families, now housed within our Cultural Diversity Resource Center: https://bit.ly/4mlMiq8

Join us this and every month in celebrating Arab Americans who make our communities and the world a more special place!

04/05/2026

With hope for much joy and renewal in your families and communities.

04/03/2026

Help us recognize a leader in children's mental health!

Now in its 36th year, AACAP's prestigious Catchers in the Rye Humanitarian Award honors an individual who has made sustained and significant contributions to the field of children's mental health.

Submit your nomination by April 6, 2026.
https://bit.ly/47xYy0B

03/31/2026

Happy !

Research consistently shows that gender diverse youth who are supported to explore the gender role that is consistent with their gender identity have better mental health outcomes than those who are not.

All children and adolescents should have access to multi-disciplinary, evidence-based, and trauma-informed gender-affirming health care. Physicians should be empowered to develop treatment plans that address a child's unique mental health needs, regardless of gender identity or expression.

03/30/2026

Today, the global mental health community comes together to raise awareness of bipolar disorder and reduce the stigma faced by those living with the condition.

Children, especially, can struggle with what it means to have bipolar disorder. Our Bipolar Disorder Resource Center equips families with the tools they need to understand and manage this disorder, including age-appropriate books, medication guides, and how to find help.

https://bit.ly/4uQPE8e

03/27/2026

Mark your calendars! AACAP Member Paul Weigle, MD will be moderating this timely panel on parental controls and online safety.

Learn what works — and what doesn't — when using parental controls for your children's media use. Register now for the next webinar “The Smart Parent’s Guide to Parental Controls” on Tuesday, March 31 at 12pm ET via Zoom.

Board of Advisors Member and youth expert Paul Weigle, MD, will moderate the expert discussion on which types of parental control apps and settings are most effective, what parents should know about their strengths and limitations, and how to incorporate them into a thoughtful parenting approach that protects child well-being and builds healthy autonomy.

Sign up: https://bit.ly/4sNp2D9