Knowledge about normal development, provided here, can help assess the developmental needs of a child or youth. Inviting a child to discuss adult issues of sexuality may be inviting a developmental path that would not have been considered by the child before the teacher introduced it; the adult introducing sexuality may be putting their ‘stuff’ onto a child (and possibly getting a thrill out of it). Premature insight introduces thoughts and fantasies that are not part of the child’s normal development.[87] It has been noted that an increase in pornography caused a very high increase in boys committing sexual offences against girls.[88] Sex education must teach about the negative effects pornography has on society. 

 

If youth are only ready to play with toys on the floor or express their feelings through markers, we cannot make them fit into an adult model of therapy. Many adolescents are not developmentally suited to talk therapy. Group and family therapy with a Development-based counselor is recommended.