Understanding ADHD/ADD and Executive
Functioning in Children and Adolescents
Sharon Saline, Psy.D.

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Many clinicians today possess limited information and training in working with children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with ADHD/ADD. They often do not understand the complexity of biology, behaviors and family environments which exacerbate the symptoms and complicate treatment. Clinicians seem to struggle to create effective interventions to help these young people and their families manage life with ADHD/ADD. This course will provide participants with the tools to work with these clients more successfully. It will review the literature about ADHD/ADD and provide a historical context in which to consider this disorder. It will delineate the neurological factors that characterize ADHD/ADD, discuss the types of medication and the political and biological issues involved in using them as well as introduce and clarify the executive functions of the brain and how they are affected by this disorder. In addition, treatment implications and modalities for working with this population will be evaluated and taught. Participants will also learn about how to address the common comorbid conditions of anxiety, depression and learning disorders which further complicate treatment. Methods of teaching include didactic seminar, case examples and small and large group discussions.