Description:
In this presentation, we'll delve into the intricate relationship between executive functioning and motivation in individuals with ADHD. While attention is often the focal point of ADHD discussions, understanding the broader spectrum of executive functions—such as planning, organization, and self-regulation—is crucial for fostering success. Attendees will gain insights into how these cognitive processes affect daily life, academic performance, and personal goals.
Through a blend of research findings, a review of brain anatomy, real-life examples, and practical strategies, this presentation aims to empower educators, therapists, parents, and individuals with ADHD. Participants will learn how to identify specific executive function challenges and discover effective interventions that can enhance motivation and engagement. By fostering a supportive environment that addresses these unique needs, we can help individuals with ADHD unlock their potential and thrive in various aspects of their lives.
Training Objectives:
1. Understand Executive Functioning & ADHD Neurobiology: Participants will enhance their understanding of ADHD brain biology and identify key executive functions affected by ADHD (e.g., planning, organization, and impulse control).
2. Identify Techniques for Managing Executive Function Challenges: Attendees will explore evidence-based strategies for managing ADHD symptoms, including practical tools that enhance executive functioning and motivation.
3. Create Supportive Environments: Attendees will discover methods for fostering supportive home and educational environments that address the unique needs of individuals with ADHD.
Trainer Bio: Dr. Jenn Ehalt
Dr. Jenn Ehalt (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in providing comprehensive evaluations for individuals with learning differences, such as attention, executive functioning, and academic concerns (including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia). Dr. Ehalt's passion for psychological assessment stems from early training in the neuropsychological evaluation of brain injuries at Hennepin County Medical Center. For the first 10 years of her career, she provided therapy and psychological evaluations to students at Gustavus Adolphus College, after which she returned to full-time assessment practice at Groves Academy. In 2022, Dr. Ehalt and her colleagues opened Monarch Learning and Attention Center, where they provide high-quality psychoeducational evaluations, including for individuals with autism spectrum concerns. Dr. Ehalt's evaluation approach is relational, collaborative, and informed by years of psychotherapy practice. She enjoys connecting with clients and their families, identifying and capitalizing on student strengths, and educating clients and families on learning differences. She has special interests in working with adolescent and college-age students, female-identified individuals with ADHD, and school-age students with language-based learning differences.
Education:
B.A. in Psychology & Minor in American Indian Studies, University of Minnesota. M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Minnesota School of Professional Psychology. Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, Minnesota School of Professional Psychology.
