Newer antipsychotics promise novel mechanisms and fewer metabolic headaches, but the pediatric data have not caught up with the enthusiasm. This update cuts through the excitement around lumateperone, xanomeline-trospium, and TAAR1 agonists, and offers a practical framework for deciding when, if ever, to venture beyond the tried-and-true SGAs.

Side effects are the most common reason kids stop antidepressants, yet most monitoring tools are too cumbersome for real-world visits. The FIBSER-C asks just three questions and takes under a minute. Could this be the side effect check-in your practice has been missing?

SSRIs are among the most prescribed medications in adolescents, but are we paying close enough attention to what they may be doing to pubertal growth? A prospective cohort study found dose-related reductions in height velocity, with changes in growth hormone signaling suggesting a possible biologic mechanism.

When family-based therapy stalls in adolescents with anorexia, what comes next? A retrospective matched-cohort study suggests that low-dose aripiprazole may loosen cognitive rigidity enough to get treatment moving again — with doses averaging under 3 mg/day and a surprisingly favorable side-effect profile.

Autistic teens may turn to substances to manage anxiety, reduce social discomfort, or fit in with peers. This article reviews risk factors, assessment adaptations, and tailored treatment strategies—including motivational interviewing, family engagement, and medication considerations—to support healthier coping and social connection.