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Conference Agenda*

*Please note that this agenda is subject to change.

Agenda-at-a-Glance

Schedule	Day 1 Monday October 1	Day 2 Tuesday October 2	Day 3 Wednesday October 3	Day 4 Thursday October 4
10:00 - 11:00 AM EST	Kenny Handelman, MD: The Leading Edge of ADHD Research Read More Click here to listen to a podcast preview!	Mark Bertin, MD: Mindful Medication:   Clear-sighted Decision Making for Parents and Children Read More Click here to listen to a podcast preview!	Laurie Dupar, PMHNP, RN, PCC, SCAC: The Top 3 ADHD Medication Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them Read More Click here to listen to a podcast preview!	Margit Crane, MA, MS, MEd: HOCUS POCUS FOCUS: Simple Strategies to Motivate Your ADHD Child Read More
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EST	Jodi Sleeper-Triplett, MCC, SCAC, BCC: Managing the Challenges of Life Transitions for Young Adults with ADHD Read More	Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA: Remember to Remember: Right Thing, Right Time, Right Place Read More	Linda Anderson, MA, MCC, SCAC: Connecting and Containing: Toolkit for the Creative ADHD Brain Read More Click here to listen to a podcast preview!	Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, PhD, NCC, LMHC: ADHD and Debt: How to Dig Yourself Out  Read More Click here to listen to a podcast preview!
1 ½ Hour Break
2:00 - 3:00 PM EST	Bonnie Mincu, MA, MBA, SCAC: The Shame/Avoidance Spiral:  How to Regain Rationality When Emotions Hijack Your Brain Read More Click here to listen to a podcast preview!	Melissa Orlov: Getting Past Anger in ADHD-Impacted Relationships Read More Click here to listen to a podcast preview!	Kevin Roberts, MA: Cyber Addictions and ADHD Read More	David Nowell, PhD: How to Maximize Your Brain's Built-In Hard-Wired Reward-and-Planning System Read More
3:30 - 4:30 PM EST	Wilma Fellman, MEd, LPC: To Disclose or Not To Disclose… That is the Question: The Pros and Cons of Disclosing and Requesting Accommodations in the Workplace Read More	Alan Brown: From Mess to Success: 5 Ways to Overcome Under-Achievement Read More Click here to listen to a podcast preview!	Tara McGillicuddy, Robert M. Tudisco, Esq., & Ronda Stone, MA, MEd, NCC, LMHC: Managing ADHD Through Movement: The Link Between Exercise and ADHD Read More	Roberto Olivardia, PhD: ADHD and Sleep: The Battle Wages On Read More Click here to listen to a podcast preview!
2 ½ Hour Break
7:00 - 8:00 PM EST	Edward Hallowell, MD, Author of Driven to Distraction Read More	Patricia Quinn, MD, Author of Understanding Girls with AD/HD Read More	David Giwerc, MCC: Accessing the MasterPIECES in Your ADHD Mind to Create Inner PEACE of an Empowering Kind Read More Click here to listen to a podcast preview!	Rick Green, Dealing with Negative People* Read More *This session will run until 8:30pm.

Detailed Agenda

Day 1: Monday, October 1, 2012

The Leading Edge of ADHD Research
Presented by Kenny Handelman, MD
Monday, October 1, 2012
10:00 - 11:00 am EST
Click here to listen to a podcast preview!

Session Overview
New research in ADHD is published all the time. Most of the time, people hear about the new research from the press, however the press often only covers stories which can be sensationalized (and misinterpreted). This session will include a summary of research updates in the field of ADHD. While one could never cover all of the research that is done in the field of ADHD, by focusing on the trends and main issues in the field, Dr. Kenny will take you through the ‘Leading Edge’ of ADHD Research.

The focus of this session will be research in the areas of:
• Brain Research in ADHD
• Genetic Research in ADHD
• Medication Research in ADHD
• Alternative Treatment Research
• And the two main areas which are just starting to be researched which will have the biggest effect on helping people with ADHD to succeed while living with ADHD

In this session, you'll:
• Discover the trends in ADHD research at this time
• Understand how new research in ADHD affects treatment of ADHD, and how you can use it to help yourself or your family member
• Become ‘up-to-date’ with some of the newest ADHD research

About Dr. Kenny Handelman
Dr. Kenny Handelman is a Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist who is an expert in ADD/ADHD. He is board certified in the USA and Canada, and is an Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Western Ontario. Dr. Handelman is the best-selling author of: Attention Difference Disorder: How To Turn Your ADHD Child or Teen’s Differences Into Strengths in 7 Simple Steps, a book for parents of kids and teens with ADHD. Dr. Handelman teaches other doctors, residents and medical students, as well as parents, educators and kids/teens about ADD/ADHD. He speaks internationally on the subject and is often interviewed on television and radio. He conducts clinical research in ADD/ADHD, and writes the widely-read ADD ADHD Blog, getting over 750,000 visitors per year.

To learn more about Dr. Kenny and his work, visit drkenny.com.

 

Managing the Challenges of Life Transitions for Young Adults with ADHD
Presented by Jodi Sleeper-Triplett, MCC, SCAC, BCC
Monday, October 1, 2012
11:30 am - 12:30 pm EST

Session Overview
Life transitions are difficult for most young people – high school graduation, going to college, getting a job, developing new relationships, fostering independence and developing independent living skills. Pile on the complexities of ADHD/EF/ LD and life transitions can be overwhelming and unmanageable. In this presentation, attendees will learn about the challenges faced by young adults and college students during times of life transition and discover strategies to help them navigate those challenges. Oftentimes young people don’t know what steps to take to remedy their situation and become “frozen” or they choose to do nothing for fear that action will make it worse. We will discuss how coaching support and strategies can be of value to young adults with ADHD and related issues.

The key areas for discussion include:
• Transitioning from home to an unstructured environment
• Job search challenges
• Workplace issues
• Academic challenges at the college and post-graduate level
• Time management and organizational skills for independent living
• Life skills
- Self-care
- Socialization
- Financial Responsibility
- Self Advocacy
- Independence
• Building self-confidence and self-awareness
• Understanding how ADHD/EF/LD impact times of life transition

In this session, you'll:
• Identify the common challenges facing young adults with ADHD
• Discuss strategies to help young adults when executive functioning issues impede progress
• Learn how to foster success in young adults with ADHD in varying stages of life transition

About Jodi Sleeper-Triplett
Jodi Sleeper-Triplett, Master Certified Coach, Senior Certified ADHD Coach and Board Certified Coach, is the founder of the movement for ADHD coaching for youth. As the creator of the ADHD youth coaching model used as the basis for a groundbreaking two-year coaching research study (2010), Jodi is seen by many of her peers as the foremost expert in the field of ADHD coaching for youth. Jodi is the president of JST Coaching, LLC, a premiere coach training company. She developed the first training courses focused on coaching youth with ADHD, now offered in English, Spanish and Turkish. Her first book, Empowering Youth With ADHD, is available online and in bookstores. Jodi completed her coach training with the Coaches Training Institute, Success Unlimited Network, and the American Coaching Association. She graduated from the unique BDIC Program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with a B.A. in human services/mental health. She is a long-standing volunteer for CHADD at the national, regional, and local levels.

To learn more about Jodi and her work, visit jstcoach.com.

 

The Shame/Avoidance Spiral:  How to Regain Rationality When Emotions Hijack Your Brain
Presented by Bonnie Mincu, MA, MBA, SCAC
Monday, October 1, 2012
2:00 - 3:00 pm EST
Click here to listen to a podcast preview!

Session Overview
For many people with ADD / ADHD, it doesn't take much to trigger a response of shame. Sometimes it's the feeling that you should have started something sooner when you know you've procrastinated. Or the belief that others are able to get work done faster than you. Or perhaps guilt that you didn't call someone and now feel awkward about contacting them. Whatever the trigger, shame often leads to the kind of dysfunctional avoidance behavior that is such a common problem for those with ADD. Shame often comes from an assumption you have that may not even be correct, creating fear of a potential outcome that becomes exaggerated in your mind. Once you get locked into shame or fear, the brain stops behaving rationally, and leads people with ADD to make poor choices. Shame will often make what could have been a simple challenge, awkwardness or embarrassment into a real problem with much more severe consequences. This is how ADD tendencies, for someone who easily feels shame, can spiral into avoidance behavior that create problems in personal life and career. This session will discuss the link between ADHD and shame, and will illustrate how easily shame leads to dysfunctional avoidance. You will learn to use simple, deliberate techniques to mentally pull your mind into a more analytical and rational mode to move forward productively.

In this session, you'll:
• Recognize when you feel shame coming on, and to distinguish whether your feeling is guilt, shame or fear of an outcome
• Acknowledge when you are about to avoid moving forward because of these feelings, so youcan be consciously aware of this pattern
• Use specific mental or written techniques to bring the mind back to rational thinking before allowing avoidance to create negative consequences.

About Bonnie Mincu
Bonnie Mincu, founder of “Thrive with ADD,” is a Senior Certified ADHD Coach for Attention Deficit Disorder Adults. Bonnie became an ADHD Coach following 20+ years in corporate management, coaching, training and consulting. After leaving her position with a large consulting firm in 1999, she discovered that without the fast-paced structure and deadlines she was accustomed to, she was having trouble focusing on building her business. That’s when she found out she had ADD, and began advanced training in ADD Coaching. She formed her coaching and training company "Thrive with ADD" in 2001 to provide solutions for ADD Adults. Bonnie's 5-minute online video, "The Attention Movie," has touched people around the globe. She has developed learning resources on numerous Adult ADHD topics, including the in-depth "Procrastination Transformation" virtual workshop that spans several weeks. She has created a "Self-Coaching Workshop" of workbook and CD's and has taught her Thrive with ADD at Work seminar at New York University annually since 2004. In true ADD fashion, Bonnie has had several careers prior to founding "Thrive with ADD," spanning Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurial start-ups and non-profits. Bonnie is also an avid oil painter and jewelry designer. Credentials and Training:
- Senior Certified ADHD Coach - Graduate of ADD Coach Academy and B-Coach
- MA in Organizational Development
- MBA in Marketing
- Former Board member, ICF (International Coaching Federation) New York Chapter
Bonnie is based in New York City and Westchester County, NY. She coaches clients all over the world by phone.

To learn more about Bonnie and her work, visit thrivewithadd.com.

 

To Disclose or Not To Disclose… That is the Question: The Pros and Cons of Disclosing and Requesting Accommodations in the Workplace
Presented by Wilma Fellman, MEd, LPC
Monday, October 1, 2012
3:30 - 4:30 pm EST

Session Overview
This session will explore the benefits and potential pitfalls of sharing a diagnosis of ADHD to those in the workplace. Discussion will also center around asking for “reasonable accommodations,” what they entail, and the possible benefits versus risks of doing so.

In this session, you'll:
• Learn about the parameters, limitations and protection of the ADA Law, as it relates to the workplace
• Find out what is meant by “reasonable accommodations” in the workplace
• Differentiate between a situation suitable for “sharing” versus one where that might not be in your best interest

About Wilma Fellman
Wilma Fellman, M.Ed., LPC has been a Career Counselor, for over 28 years, specializing in ADHD, LD, and other challenges. She is the author of: The Other me: Poetic Thoughts on ADD for Adults, Kids and Parents, and contributing author of Understanding Women with AD/HD. The Second Edition of her career book, Finding A Career That Works For You, contains a Special Foreword by Richard Nelson Bolles, author of What Color is Your Parachute? Wilma is a Past President of MCDA, served on ADDA’s Board for 8 years, and is currently developing a training program for ADD Coaches…to work with their clients on the “career piece.”

 

Edward "Ned" Hallowell, MD
Monday, October 1, 2012
7:00 - 8:00 pm EST

About Dr. Hallowell
Edward Hallowell, M.D., Ed.D. (Honorary), is a child and adult psychiatrist, NY Times bestselling author, world-renowned speaker and leading authority in the field of ADHD. He was a faculty member at Harvard Medical School from 1983 to 2004, graduated from Harvard College and Tulane School of Medicine, and is the founder of The Hallowell Centers for Cognitive and Emotional Health in Sudbury, MA and New York City. These Centers offer comprehensive mental health diagnostic and treatment services to patients and their families.

Dr. Hallowell is best known for the ground-breaking books he co-authored with Dr. John Ratey, Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction, which have sold millions of copies. With decades of experience working with people who have ADHD, Dr. Hallowell has long argued that ADHD is too often misunderstood, mistreated, and mislabeled as a “disability” and that the gifts of this condition are easily lost amid negative comments.

He is also a revered authority on lifelong personal betterment and fulfillment. He has authored eighteen books on various psychological topics including the power of the human connection, the childhood roots of happiness, methods of forgiving others, dealing with worry, and managing excessive busyness.

Dr. Hallowell is a highly recognized public figure, appearing on numerous national television programs including Oprah, Dr. Oz, 20/20 Dr. Phil, 60 Minutes, CNN, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and The View. He has been interviewed for The New York Times, USA Today, Newsweek, Time Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, the Los Angeles Times, and many other leading publications.

Corporate audiences actively seek his counsel on how to better optimize their employees' performance and business strengths. Dr. Hallowell's passionate on-site presentations are tailored to provide creative and reproducible Competitive Edge strategies based on industry research, his own experience helping people maximize their potential for more then 25 years, and the brain science detailed in his book SHINE - Special Help Integrating Neurological Experience.

Teachers and chiropractors can also apply his strength-based approach to ADHD by utilizing his professional development programs. Teacher are trained to recognize and address the needs of students with ADHD, and the chiropractor certification program offers an effective, natural approach to addressing ADHD.

Dr. Hallowell lives in the Boston area with his wife, Sue, a social worker, and their three children. His greatest love is doing whatever they want to do and spending one summer month at the aptly-named Lake Doolittle, where they connect and slow down.

To learn more about Dr. Hallowell and his work, visit drhallowell.com and facebook.com/Dr.Hallowell.

 

Day 2: Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Mindful Medication: Clear-sighted Decision Making for Parents and Children
Presented by Mark Bertin, MD
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
10:00 - 11:00 am EST
Click here to listen to a podcast preview!

Session Overview
Medication should never be used lightly in any area of medicine, but decisions regarding ADHD medication have become particularly fraught. On the one hand, we must balance likely benefits of treating versus possible side effects. On the other, expecting too much from medication without an emphasis on the whole picture creates unrealistic expectations. Regardless of what a family decides in the long run, objectivity and a comprehensive understanding of ADHD support skillful choices every step of the way. For any child with ADHD it’s not a matter of ‘either/or’ in choosing between options for intervention, but seeing ADHD with as much clarity as possible. What role do medications potentially play, and what do they fail to address? How and why do ADHD medications work? Do they change personalities, or limit creativity? What are the possible long term risks and benefits? This lecture aims to present practical information for parents allowing them to make individualized choices supporting their children and families.

In this session, you'll:
• Understand the medical cause of ADHD
• Learn the potential benefits of ADHD medications
• Comprehend potential side effects, short and long term, of ADHD medications

About Dr. Bertin
Dr. Mark Bertin, a board certified developmental behavioral pediatrician, studied at the UCLA School of Medicine and completed training in general pediatrics at Oakland Children’s Hospital in California. After several years of general pediatrics he later returned to the East Coast for fellowship training in neurodevelopmental behavioral pediatrics at the Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (Rose Kennedy Center) at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Dr. Bertin is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at New York Medical College and from 2003 to 2010, on faculty for the Windward Teacher Training Institute, and was Director of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics at the Westchester Institute for Human Development, working in their foster care program. He is a consultant for Reach Out and Read, a national organization that promotes child development and literacy, and is on the editorial advisory board for the non-profit organization Common Sense Media. Dr. Bertin is a frequent lecturer for parents, teachers and professionals on topics related to child development including autistic spectrum disorders, ADHD and parenting. He also teaches mindfulness based stress reduction classes for parents, having attended trainings at Jon Kabat Zinn’s Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Dr. Bertin’s book “The Family ADHD Solution: A Scientific Approach to Maximizing Your Child’s Attention While Minimizing Parents’ Stress” was released by Palgrave Macmillan in February 2011. His blog is available through both Huffington Post and Psychology Today.

To learn more about Dr. Bertin and his work, visit developmentaldoctor.com. 

 

Remember to Remember: Right Thing, Right Time, Right Place
Presented by Ari Tuckman, PsyD, MBA
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
11:30 am - 12:30 pm EST

Session Overview
Success in every area of life requires the ability to remember to complete tasks at a later point in time. Remembering to do the right thing at the right time and place is a crucial skill, especially in the face of distractions, busy schedules, and competing priorities. Unfortunately, people with ADHD often struggle with turning their intentions reliably into actions. While written to-do lists serve as an external memory aid, daily life requires that hundreds of small items (and some not so small) be held mentally. This prospective memory is one of the executive functions and serves as our mental to-do list. Sometimes a prospective memory task involves mere seconds; sometimes it can span weeks. Sometimes the trigger for our prospective memory is an event or place (e.g., check about medication refills when at the pharmacy); sometimes the trigger is a particular time (e.g., call the pharmacy at 3:00). Because of this variety of prospective memory demands, different mechanisms are used to record and then retrieve the memory. We will discuss the different kinds of prospective memory, how they each work, and what causes these good intentions to be forgotten. This will set the stage for seven specific strategies that will help you remember the right thing at the right time and place.

In this session, you'll:
• Understand how ADHD affects someone’s ability to remember to do the right thing at the right time and place.
• Discover what factors make it more or less likely that intended actions will be remembered at the right time and place.
• Learn seven specific strategies to help you do the right thing at the right time and place.

About Dr. Tuckman
Dr. Tuckman is a psychologist in private practice in West Chester, PA, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in children, teens, and adults. He has given over two hundred presentations and routinely earns excellent reviews for his ability to make complex information understandable and useful. His driving goal in his writing and presenting is to provide science-based information to make people’s lives better. He is the author of three books: 1. Understand Your Brain, Get More Done: The ADHD Executive Functions Workbook, 2. More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD, and 3. Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD: A Practical, Easy-to-Use Guide for Clinicians. He is a frequent contributor to ADDitude and Attention!. His More Attention, Less Deficit podcast has over 100 episodes and is approaching one million downloads. He has appeared on CNN, National Public Radio, and XM/Sirius Radio and been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Boston Globe, among others.

To learn more about Dr. Tuckman and his work, visit adultADHDbook.com.

 

Getting Past Anger in ADHD-Impacted Relationships
Presented by Melissa Orlov
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
2:00 - 3:00 pm EST
Click here to listen to a podcast preview!

Session Overview
Is there too much anger and frustration in your ADHD-impacted relationship? Does it seem as if there is no clear path out of your anger? That no matter what you try, nothing seems to make things better? If you feel this way, you wouldn’t be alone. Marriage consultant, Melissa Orlov, will help you understand the underpinnings of that anger, as well as identifiable types of anger that need to be addressed in specific ways. Most importantly, she will teach you five specific steps that you and your partner can use to calm your relationship and re-find your loving feelings.

In this session, you'll:
• Identify at least two distinct forms of anger
• Learn five hurtful myths about anger in ADHD relationships
• Talk about (and implement) five specific tactics for diminishing anger in adult relationships

About Melissa Orlov
Melissa Orlov is the author of The ADHD Effect on Marriage, named best psychology book of 2010 by ForeWord Reviews. A marriage consultant, she helps ADHD-affected couples from around the world rebalance their relationships and learn to thrive. She also teaches marriage counselors and other professionals about effective marriage therapy for couples impacted by ADHD. Orlov writes for ADDitude Magazine, blogs for Psychology Today, and blogs at adhdmarriage.com. She has been interviewed on the topic of ADHD and marriage by the New York Times, CNN, Today, US News and World Report, CBS, AOL and many others. Ms. Orlov is a cum laude graduate of Harvard College.

To learn more about Melissa and her work, visit adhdmarriage.com.

 

From Mess to Success: 5 Ways to Overcome Under-Achievement
Presented by Alan Brown
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
3:30 - 4:30 pm EST
Click here to listen to a podcast preview!

Session Overview
Under-achievement. It is the one word most associated with adult ADDers in relating to their job (or their schoolwork). The potential is there…the brains are there…the ideas and the will are there. But we can’t get out of our own way, thanks to our ADHD. Alan Brown, creator of the ADD Crusher™ video series, provides five of the many simple strategies he has used to go from mess…to successful executive, investor and entrepreneur. In a visually engaging and fun presentation, the five ways will be brought to life.

They are:
1) A set of tactics for powering up the brain before taking on weighty mental engagements…with the additional benefit of more mental stamina;
2) A mental trick for staying on task, with special emphasis on the unique challenges of the multi-tasking, multi-interruption work environment;
3) Identifying others who can help you – and we’re not just talking delegation here…there are other tricks to “hacking” others’ talents;
4) A “bullseye” for where one needs to keep mental activity – in effect, a fresh new way for the ADDer to prioritize not tasks, but THOUGHTS, so that the mind’s windshield is kept clearer; and
5) Ways to leverage your unique learning style and lateral (non-linear) thinking.

This will be a unique, visually interesting and original presentation, with none of the typical and tired “Use color-coded folders!” tips.

In this session, you'll:
• Have a mini-toolkit of easy-to-implement (I’m talking listen-on-Monday-do-it-on-Tuesday easy) strategies that will have an immediate impact on efficiency/effectiveness
• Have an increased confidence in your ability to elevate your game (and maybe hop up a rung on the ladder, if that’s what one’s after)
• Have a VERY, VERY clear understanding of how to make this new knowledge take shape in the REAL WORLD…starting TOMORROW

About Alan Brown
An executive and entrepreneur, Alan’s most recent start-up, Crusher Solutions, LLC, markets the ADD Crusher™ video series. Undiagnosed until well into adulthood, Alan’s untreated ADHD manifested itself in all-too-familiar ways – academic and professional underachievement, failed relationships, substance abuse, etc. Once diagnosed, he found it difficult to learn coping strategies from the many books available (being a poor reader like many ADDers) – and so developed his own strategies while building a successful advertising career. The resulting 10 “Ways” comprise the curriculum in ADD Crusher™ Videos I and II. With the unique ADHD learning style and the power of digital media in mind, Alan has created interactive, engaging and edgy videos for his fellow ADDers and others who seek higher productivity and greater life fulfillment. David Giwerc, Founder and President of the ADD Coach Academy, says, “Alan is a master at making ADHD educational videos that demonstrate sound scientific and personal strategies that are entertaining and empowering. I highly recommend his series.” Alan is grateful for this and other generous endorsement from the coaching community, and is honored to be among the presenters.

To learn more about Alan and his work, visit ADDCrusher.com.

 

Patricia Quinn, MD
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
7:00 - 8:00 pm EST

About Dr. Quinn
Patricia Quinn, MD is a developmental pediatrician in the Washington, D.C. area. A graduate of the Georgetown University Medical School, she specializes in child development and psychopharmacology. Dr. Quinn has worked for over 30 years in the areas of ADD (AD/HD) and learning disabilities. She gives workshops nationwide and has appeared on national television numerous times to discuss the issue of girls and women with AD/HD. Dr. Quinn is the author of several books on ADD (AD/HD). These include Putting on the Brakes: A Young People's Guide to Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Adolescence and ADD: Gaining the Advantage, ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER: Diagnosis and Treatment from Infancy to Adulthood, and Voices from Fatherhood: Fathers, Sons, and ADHD, and more. For the last decade, Dr. Quinn has devoted her attention professionally to the issues confronting girls and women with ADD (AD/HD). Her 1999 book, Understanding Girls with ADHD, was co-authored with Drs. Nadeau and Littman and is groundbreaking in its presentation of this population. She was also co-editor of ADDvance: A Magazine for Women with ADD and is co-founder and currently the director of the non-profit organization, The National Center for Gender Issues and AD/HD.

To learn more about Dr. Quinn and her work, visit addvance.com.

 

Day 3: Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Top 3 ADHD Medication Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Presented by Laurie Dupar, PMHNP, RN, PCC, SCAC
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
10:00 - 11:00 am EST
Click here to listen to a podcast preview!

Session Overview
Medications, the right ADHD medication, can be one of the most effective strategies to minimize the symptoms of ADHD whether that is for children, adults or senior citizens. Unfortunately, many people taking ADHD medications are not getting its full benefit. Even when working with a professional psychopharmacological prescriber, people with ADHD are still often confused about their medication options, how to know if their medication is “working right” or what to do about it if isn’t. In this informative and engaging presentation, Laurie Dupar, trained Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Senior Certified ADHD Coach, combines her medical background and 9 years experience of working exclusively with ADHD, to help listeners finally understand the three most common reasons that prevent them from experiencing the full effectiveness of their ADHD medication and what to do about it. Using creative analogies, metaphors and a sense of humor, Laurie will take the mystery out of these pitfalls and provide listeners with valuable strategies they can use right away to avoid these pitfalls.

In this session, you'll:
• Discover the 3 most common reasons you do not get full benefit from your medication
• Gain at least 3 strategies you can use immediately to help you experience the full effectiveness of your medication
• List three things that would indicate to you that your ADHD medication is working effectively

About Laurie Dupar
As a trained Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Senior Certified ADHD Coach, Laurie Dupar, knows that understanding ADHD is the biggest step to managing the symptoms. In simple, yet professional everyday language she helps her clients understand their ADHD, navigate through the treatment maze and design the best strategies to manage their ADHD challenges and create lasting change. Laurie has specialized in ADHD for the past nine years. She is the editor and co-author of 365 ways to succeed with ADHD, and the author of the popular books, Brain Surfing and 31 other Awesome Qualities of ADHD and Unlock the Secrets to your Entrepreneurial Brain Style. She is part of an elite faculty at the ADHD Coach Academy, a guest blogger for Healthyplace.com and is a sought-after speaker, educator and mentor on ADHD and coaching.

To learn more about Laurie and her work, visit CoachingforADHD.com.

 

Connecting and Containing: Toolkit for the Creative ADHD Brain
Presented by Linda Anderson, MA, MCC, SCAC
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
11:30 am - 12:30 pm EST
Click here to listen to a podcast preview!

Session Overview
How do you connect to ideas and actions that move you forward, when you feel stuck and unable to budge? On the other hand, how do you contain what’s in front of you, when there are too many possibilities, too many things on your plate, and some are even jumping off the plate? In this session, we are going to talk about how to connect and contain, how to ignite the brain and how to identify and maintain the course.

I have used these metaphors - connecting and containing - for the 18 years that I have been a coach. Connecting is a wonderful thing that brings one out of the void of the desert or the thickness of the fog into light, flow and action. Containing is another wonderful thing, because it helps one put comfortable boundaries around what is manageable and doable versus what so often feels like too much – too much stuff, too many ideas, too many possibilities, too much of one’s own gift spilling into an uncaring universe.

This seminar is about understanding the essence and art of containing and connecting as both metaphors and as concepts. It will include tools and strategies to help create desired change through connection and containment. It will be about connecting and containing both the stuff around you and the stuff that takes up internal space – ideas, concepts, projects and responsibilities.

In this session, you'll:
• Discover five or more strategies for creative thinking and connecting
• Demonstrate five or more strategies for containing
• Do a simple mind map

About Linda Anderson
Linda Anderson, M.A., MCC, SCAC, is an ICF master certified coach and a leader in the world of ADHD coaching. She specializes in working with ADHD adults in the U.S. and abroad. She began her business, Getting Clear, in 1993. Linda meets with clients in her office in Doylestown, PA, but coaches the majority of her clients located in the United States and abroad by phone and Skype. Linda has been actively involved in the world of ADHD since 1994. She served on the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) board for thirteen years, served as president of the organization from 2006 to 2008, and presently serves on the Communications Committee. Linda is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF), ICF-Philadelphia, the ADHD Coaches Association (ACO) and the Institute for the Advancement of ADHD Coaching (IAAC). She has written several articles, among them, “A Closer Look At Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder--From The Outside Looking In,” “The Body Double,” and, “Letting Go and Organizing What’s Left.” As a coach working primarily with adults who have ADHD, Linda has learned from her clients how resiliency, creativity, wisdom and the uniqueness of the individual spirit lives right along side the challenges of managing a life with ADHD. She is grateful for all the clients, professionals and associates who have shared with her and taught her about living with ADHD.

To learn more about Linda and her work, visit gettingclear.com.

 

Cyber Addictions and ADHD
Presented by Kevin Roberts, MA
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
2:00 - 3:00 pm EST

Session Overview
A recovering cyber addict shares his personal journey, practical advice, and real-life solutions that will help participants recognize the warning signs of video gaming and internet addictions. This interactive lecture draws on the presenter’s personal and professional experiences with these insidious problems. A recovering gamer, author, ADHD Coach, and facilitator of addiction support groups, Kevin Roberts takes participants deep into the cyber world. Participants will become aware of the warning signs and will gain tools to deal with these addictions, as well as acquire strategies to help ensure that the problem does not take root in the first place. Roberts will show participants why AD/HD individuals are at particularly high risk, and will share cutting edge research into the problem. Roberts also puts special emphasis on his belief that cyber-addiction-prone ADHDers must be taught how to use the computer responsibly. Children—and adults—must be empowered to find the same level of stimulation in their daily lives as they do in front of a computer screen or game console.

Participants will understand the allure of games for ADHDers and receive an education in the types of games that are available as well as those most likely to cause problems. They will also learn that cyber-oriented ADHDers have incredible skills that, if properly channeled, can lead to lucrative and rewarding careers.

In this session, you'll:
• Appreciate the biological basis for addiction and understand how excessive gaming can rise to the level of an addiction
• Receive detailed information about the behavioral warning signs for gaming addiction and receive tips on how to confront the problem
• Understand the power of the internet, why it engages ADHDers, and how to make sure that your loved one does not get sucked in

About Kevin Roberts
An adult with ADHD and a recovering cyber junkie, Kevin Roberts is an ADHD Coach, cyber addiction counselor, and author of two books, Cyber Junkie: Escape the Gaming and Internet Trap (Hazelden 2010), and Movers, Dreamers, and Risk Takers: Unlocking the Power of ADHD (Hazelden 2012). Roberts holds a Master’s degree in ADHD studies, and runs ADHD Study Groups to empower ADHDers into academic success. He speaks around the country, and this fall in several locations in Europe as well. Roberts also has a video series called the ADHD Minuteman, in which he produces 1-2 minute videos designed to quickly help ADHDers get motivated and have fun while doing it. Roberts believes injecting fun, excitement, and creativity in life hold the key to success for many ADHD people.

To learn more about Kevin and his work, visit kevinjroberts.net.

 

Managing ADHD Through Movement: The Link Between Exercise and ADHD
Presented by Tara McGillicuddy, Robert M. Tudisco, Esq., & Ronda Stone, MA, MEd, NCC, LMHC
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
3:30 - 4:30 pm EST

Session Overview
Exercise is an underutilized tool for managing ADHD symptoms, relieving stress and enhancing self esteem. Research has shown the benefits of exercise on brain function in general and specifically ADHD. Tara McGillicuddy, Robert Tudisco, and Ronda Stone will discuss how exercise impacts the brain in the area of focus, mental energy, and memory as well as academic achievement and emotional regulation. We will share personal and professional experiences related to the effectiveness of exercise as an adjunct to treating ADHD. We will explore the different styles and preferences inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive ADHD individuals bring to an exercise program. We will also describe tools for tailoring an exercise program to meet specific needs making incorporating it into a regular routine more comfortable and successful. We will spend time describing the neuro-chemical changes produced in the brain with exercise, as well as share ADHD exercise success stories.

In this session, you'll:
• Explore the impact of exercise on anxiety, depression, and anger management
• Review research and observation on exercise and education
• Learn how to design and stick with an exercise program

About the Presenters

Tara McGillicuddy is a Senior certified AD/HD Coach and Internationally recognized AD/HD expert. Tara has a passion for helping people affected by AD/HD lead happy and productive lives. Through the use of online technology Tara has spent the last decade connecting people affected by AD/HD with Education and Support resources. Tara is the founder and director of ADDClasses.com a leading resource for virtual AD/HD Support and Education. She is also the host of AD/HD Support Talk Radio the #1 AD/HD podcast on iTunes and top Self-help show on Blog Talk Radio. In addition to her online AD/HD resources Tara also provides AD/HD Coaching to Adults with AD/HD.

To learn more about Tara and her work, visit taramcgillicuddy.com.

Robert M. Tudisco is the Executive Director of the Edge Foundation and is a past member of the National Board of Directors of Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD). He is a current member, and a past chair of CHADD’s Public Policy Committee. Robert is also a former Vice President of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA). Since his diagnosis, he has researched and written extensively on the subject of practical coping mechanisms and systems for adults with AD/HD. He is a frequent resource for the media about AD/HD and disability advocacy and the over representation of individuals with AD/HD and co-occurring conditions in the juvenile/criminal justice systems compared to that in the general population. He has been published in ATTENTION!® Magazine and regularly contributes as a columnist on adult, parenting and legal issues in addition to sitting on its Editorial Advisory Board. He is also the expert legal columnist for ADDitude Magazine. He is also a practicing attorney and an adult diagnosed with ADHD.

To learn more about Robert and his work, visit edgefoundation.org.

Ronda Stone is an AD/HD Coach, Parenting Instructor for Redirecting Children's Behavior, and Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 27 years of experience as an educator, counselor, and coach. She co authored a children's workbook on dealing with grief and has three teleclasses available at addclasses.com including "Getting Through the Day with AD/HD"; "Supporting Your ADD/ADHD Child's Success", and "Moving On- Life After an AD/HD Diagnosis". In addition to offering individual coaching, she facilitates a group for parents who have an AD/HD child as well as an adult group. Ronda has experienced AD/HD from the inside and out as a therapist, coach, parent and person living with AD/HD.

To learn more about Ronda and her work, visit building-stones.com.

 

Accessing the MasterPIECES in Your ADHD Mind to Create Inner PEACE of an Empowering Kind
Presented by David Giwerc, MCC
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
7:00 - 8:00 pm EST
Click here to listen to a podcast preview!

Session Overview
If you have ADHD, you probably know it’s a challenge of self regulation (pausing) and self awareness (paying attention). It often shows up when you react to a mistake you have made and become highly self-critical, putting yourself down. You remain stuck, feeling imprisoned by the painful feeling of your perceived failure. Unfortunately, as an adult with ADHD, your head feels like a huge magnet constantly attracting negative emotions which stick to your brain like Velcro. You react to negative emotions without pausing to step back, objectively notice, and discern what’s really happening. It distorts your awareness of the situation and impedes your ability to pay attention to any MasterPIECES of success you may have created with your unique strengths. David Giwerc, MCC, Founder & President, ADD Coach Academy will present a mindful, coach-approach that will significantly improve your ability to successfully manage your automatic, negative thoughts. You will learn how to pause and intentionally choose to pay attention to your daily thoughts in a compassionate, non-judgmental, detached way. This will create the PEACE of mind and space to distance yourself from your impairing negative emotions so you can objectively pay attention to your strengths. You will learn to access your MasterPIECE memories which will provide you with a positive context to create more success using your unique strengths. Finally, In order to remember to access your MasterPIECES, you will learn how to develop creative prompts to remind you to visit them and harness the powerful, positive energy they can fuel for the creation of more successful, fulfilling experiences in the future.

In this session, you'll:
• Learn the important benefits of an ADHD mindfulness practice along with some basic principles and tools to significantly improve your ability to manage your negative emotions and focus on your unique strengths.
• Learn the power of identifying, accessing and focusing on your positive memories to improve your self awareness, emotional regulation and self-esteem.
• Experience a coaching exercise that combines mindfulness with your MasterPIECE memories so you can PEACEfully focus on your successes and strengths to fuel the creation of more new, expanded MasterPIECE moments.

About David Giwerc
David Giwerc, M.C.C., is Founder and President of the ADD Coach Academy, the world’s foremost ADHD coach training program. The ADD Coach Academy is the only comprehensive ADHD coach training program fully accredited with the ACTP designation (Accredited Coach Training Program) granted by the International Coach Federation (ICF), the governing body for the coaching profession. David is a Master Certified Coach, MCC with the ICF, and a Board Certified Coach, BCC, with the Center for Counseling & Education, CCE. He serves as an advisor to the Professional Association of ADHD Coaches (PAAC), and he is a past president (2003-2006) of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), the world’s leading organization supporting adults with ADHD. During his tenure at ADDA, David played a role in creating National ADHD Awareness Day, now celebrated annually in September. David has been featured in numerous publications, radio and television programs and is a recognized spokesman for ADHD and ADHD coach training on the national stage. David is the author of the groundbreaking book, “Permission to Proceed, The Keys to Creating a Life of Passion Purpose and Possibility for Adults with ADHD.” In his debut book, David shares his proven method and models for gaining control of one’s life at home, work and in the community. David has been featured in numerous publications, radio and television programs and is a recognized spokesman for ADHD, ADHD coaching and coach training on the national stage.

To learn more about David and his work, visit ADDCA.com.

 

Day 4: Thursday, October 4, 2012

HOCUS POCUS FOCUS: Simple Strategies to Motivate Your ADHD Child
Presented by Margit Crane, MA, MS, MEd
Thursday, October 4, 2012
10:00 - 11:00 am EST

Session Overview
Parents spend a lot of time trying to GET their kids motivated, but motivation is an inside job. Family ADD/ADHD Coach, Margit Crane, will show parents where they’re missing the mark (so easy to miss), how they can create an inspiring physical and emotional environment (so powerful), and how to sustain the charge once it’s in place (so fun).

In this session, you'll:
• Describe what frightens or de-motivates people (3 motivation metaphors)
• Identify techniques that motivate
• Apply selected techniques to different situations they will encounter in the future

About Margit Crane
Author, Trainer, and Executive-Functions Coach Margit Crane is passionately devoted to making growing up much easier for ADD/ADHD kids and the stressed-out parents who love them! “You don’t have to sit around waiting for this latest ‘phase’ to pass. You have power that you haven’t tapped into yet,” she says encouragingly. Her clients enjoy more confidence, smoother communication, fewer conflicts, and increased academic success, all while having a lot more FUN! A former teacher and school counselor, Margit has three Master’s Degrees, which she humorously refers to as her “A.D.D. Ph.D.” Margit is also the author of the Mom’s Choice Award® winner, How to Train Your Parents in 6½ Days for tweens, teens & parents, and she has been featured in Seattle’s Child and Parent Map magazines, and on Chat With Women Radio and KOMO News Radio. Margit Crane is the owner of two businesses that celebrate the distracted family: “Gifted With ADD” and the just-launched “Good-Enough Parenting™” You can find both businesses on Facebook and Twitter.

To learn more about Margit and her work, visit GiftedWithADD.com.

 

ADHD and Debt: How to Dig Yourself Out
Presented by Stephanie Moulton Sarkis, PhD, NCC, LMHC
Thursday, October 4, 2012
11:30 am - 12:30 pm EST
Click here to listen to a podcast preview!

Session Overview
In this session, participants will learn how to get out of debt through ADHD-friendly techniques, including: creating a simplified budget, using credit cards wisely, working out a payment plan with creditors, and being a savvy consumer. Participants will learn why people with ADHD are more prone to acquiring debt, and at a higher amount, than people without ADHD. Participants will learn their consumer rights, and their rights when creditors attempt to collect a debt. In this session, participants will also learn what help is available to them in order to reduce their debt, from ADHD treatment such as medication and counseling, to professional financial help, including financial planners and accountants. Participants will also learn how to stay out of debt once they are financially free.

In this session, you'll:
• Find out why having ADHD increases a person’s amount of debt.
• Learn steps for getting out of debt, including budgeting
• Discover strategies on saving so the slide into debt does not happen again

About Dr. Sarkis
Stephanie Sarkis PhD NCC LMHC is a psychotherapist and the author of four books on adult ADHD: 10 Simple Solutions to Adult ADD: How to Overcome Chronic Distraction & Accomplish Your Goals (2nd ed., 2011), Adult ADD: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (2011), ADD and Your Money: A Guide to Personal Finance for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (2009), and Making the Grade with ADD: A Guide to Succeeding in College with Attention Deficit Disorder (2008).

Dr. Sarkis is a blogger for The Huffington Post and Psychology Today, and her articles have been published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, The ADHD Report, and National Psychologist, among others.   She has appeared on CNN, She is a nationally certified counselor and licensed mental health counselor, and has a private practice in Boca Raton, Florida where she provides counseling and coaching. Dr. Sarkis is also an adjunct assistant professor and clinical trials subinvestigator at Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Sarkis received an American Psychological Association “Outstanding Dissertation Award” for her research on comorbid pediatric ADHD and brain function. 

The Moulton-Farnsworth Scholarship for college students with ADHD, supported by the Attention Deficit Disorder Association, is named for Dr. Sarkis’ grandparents.  Dr. Sarkis is featured in the book The Gift of Adult ADD by Lara Honos-Webb Ph.D.  Dr. Sarkis has been featured on CNN's "Health Minute", Fox News, ABC News, Sirius Satellite Radio, First Business Television, Woman’s Day Magazine, and numerous other networks, stations, and websites.  She lectures internationally. 

To learn more about Dr. Sarkis and her work, visit stephaniesarkis.com.

 

How to Maximize Your Brain's Built-In Hard-Wired Reward-and-Planning System
Presented by David Nowell, PhD
Thursday, October 4, 2012
2:00 - 3:00 pm EST

Session Overview
Your brain has an ancient “feeling center” and a uniquely human “planning and dreaming center.” And a specific neural pathway - your brain’s Reward-and-Planning System – binds together those two distinct and important regions. Most good relationships, most cool inventions, and most academic degrees are the result of dreaming, which turned into planning, which turned into a certain amount of hard work carried out over a period of time. And the result of that hard work was a body-based “yesss!” or “yahoo!” Now, the reward-and-planning system includes 5 distinct Cognitive Action Steps, which we’ll explore in this Session. If every step of the Reward-and-Planning System were to go smoothly, we'd all be getting exactly what we want all the time. So, what could possibly go wrong with any of this? Lots! We’ll consider the most common stuck-points for students and adults at each of the 5 Cognitive Action Steps. And we’ll review specific strategies to get leverage for yourself, your clients/coachees, or your loved one with ADD/ADHD. The beating human heart of this Session is an understanding that none of us does anything unless we are motivated. Everything - even kindness and altruism – is associated with brain-based reward. And out of a universe of endless rewarding experiences, which ones do I want most, for me? What’s best? What’s the next most important thing to do, to focus on…to get to my very best outcome? Join me in this Session to get super clear about our own motivational blueprint and get-unstuck-now action plan!

In this session, you'll:
• Learn about dopamine as the brain’s chemical messenger of reward and motivation
• Be able to identify – and elicit from others – the specific body-based sensations associated with reward and motivation, the person-specific ways in which motivation “shows up” for us
• Implement a strategy for identifying specific “stuck points” when we or our clients/coachees or loved ones are thwarted in personal goals and mult-step objectives

About Dr. Nowell
David Nowell, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist interested in motivation, focus, and fully engaged living. Dr. Nowell earned his doctorate at the University of Alabama and completed an internship program in neuropsychology at Tulane University Medical Center. Dr. Nowell speaks internationally to clinicians managing ADHD/Processing Disorders, and applying findings from positive psychology. He blogs at PsychologyToday.com.

To learn more about Dr. Nowell and his work, visit DrNowell.com.

 

ADHD and Sleep: The Battle Wages On
Presented by Roberto Olivardia, PhD
Thursday, October 4, 2012
3:30 - 4:30 pm EST
Click here to listen to a podcast preview!

Session Overview
People with ADHD often report various difficulties with sleep, including trouble getting to sleep or waking up, as well as daytime sleepiness. Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, are also quite common. Discussion will center around how ADHD affects sleep, as well as how sleep issues affect ADHD symptoms. Scientific studies will be reviewed. Biological, behavioral, psychological and genetic theories explaining why ADHD individuals are prone to sleep problems will be highlighted. ADHD-friendly treatment recommendations will be discussed, as well as the effects stimulant medications have on sleep for people with ADHD.

In this session, you'll:
• Understand the various sleep issues affecting those with ADHD, including sleep apnea
• Learn the various theories that explain why ADHD individuals are prone to sleep problems
• Identify ADHD-friendly treatment recommendations for sleep problems

About Dr. Olivardia
Dr. Roberto Olivardia is a Clinical Instructor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School and Assistant Psychologist at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Arlington, Massachusetts, where he specializes in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He also specializes in the treatment of eating disorders in boys and men. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Olivardia is an active researcher. He is co-author of The Adonis Complex, a book which details the various manifestations of body image problems in men. He has taught courses at the University of Massachusetts Boston and Boston College and has consulted with cosmetic surgeons, software companies, and filmmakers around male body image issues. He has appeared in publications such as TIME, GQ, and Rolling Stone, and has been featured on Good Morning America, EXTRA, CBS This Morning, CNN, Fox and Friends, and VH1. He has spoken on numerous radio and webinar shows and presents at many talks and conferences around the country, including the CHADD conferences annually.

 

Dealing with Negative People
Presented by Rick Green
Thursday, October 4, 2012
7:00 - 8:30 pm EST

About Rick Green
Everything I used to know about ADD was wrong. Getting a proper diagnosis and treatment was transformational; like losing 400 pounds, only from the mind rather than the body. I was more productive with far less wear and tear on my soul. Everyone deserves to have this feeling of being in charge of their lives, rather than being a confused victim of mysterious whims. It’s possible.

Rick Green is an award winning producer, director, writer and comedic performer who has made hundreds of innovative television, radio and stage shows including: History Bites, The Red Green Show, Prisoners of Gravity and The Frantics. Like many adults with ADD, Rick Green first suspected he might have the disorder when one of his children was being diagnosed. Rick realized he scored higher on the tests than his child. This appealed to his competitive streak. For a long time Rick managed his ADD in a, well, ADD kind of way—sporadically when it reached a crisis. God bless television deadlines. He also unknowingly demonstrated most of the symptoms of ADHD through his disarmingly destructive character “Bill” on The Red Green Show. The more roles Rick took on—producer, director, actor, writer, teacher, father– the more he took on his ADD. And the more surprised he was at the amount of stigma, misinformation and vitriolic opinion masquerading as fact. Knowing the power that understanding makes in addressing this syndrome, Rick created a one-hour documentary ADD and Loving It?!. The documentary will premiere on Global Television, in the Fall 2009. On May 12th The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation honoured him with their 2009 Transforming Lives Award for producing ADD & Loving It?! and said, “… this will, in one hour, transform how this country views this disorder . While it may seem odd for a comedian to be doing something quasi-educational, Rick actually has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics, which he barely earned in his three years at the University of Waterloo. (That didn’t stop the University from naming Rick one of their Top 50 Graduates Of The First 50 Years. Scary!) Rick’s first job was teaching at the Ontario Science Centre where he ran demonstrations, wrote and produced science-themed plays, developed exhibits and set his hand on fire with a 40 foot long, 1000 Watt Laser. (Ever see flame come out of your thumb?)

To learn more about Rick Green and his work, visit totallyadd.com.

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