ADHD and Health Issues (Series Begins Oct. 16, 2024) (Registration Closed) – The Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth, Inc.

For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.

REGISTRATION CLOSED

SpeakerS

David Gotthelf, Ph.D., NCSP
Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D.

Description

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by attention dysregulation, impulsivity, mental and motoric hyperactivity and poor executive functioning. Its impact is often focused on academic and social functioning, but recent studies have demonstrated the significant impact ADHD can have on various health-related domains. A 2019 study found that untreated ADHD can reduce life expectancy by as many as 13 years, and that individuals with ADHD are at higher risk for multiple health-related problems. This webinar series will focus on three important health domains: sleep, stress and anxiety and cannabis use and dependence. It will highlight the clinical importance of ADHD, as it relates to health, enabling clinicians to not overlook the wide-ranging impact ADHD can have on an individual’s life. Presenters will also discuss ADHD and its relation to Executive Function and how educators can best support students with ADHD.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must attend all 5 sessions and successfully pass a quiz following Session 5. Following the live webinar, registrants will be emailed a link to view the recorded webinar. The recording will be made available for 7 days after each session. If you are not eligible for PDPs and/or CEUs, you may apply for a Certificate of Attendance.

Approximately 30% of individuals with ADHD also struggle with anxiety or a clinical anxiety disorder, while 100% experience stress (often due to ADHD symptoms). This session will review why stress and anxiety commonly presents with ADHD. How stress and anxiety impact ADHD symptoms will be assessed, as well as how having ADHD can lead to or exacerbate stress and anxiety. The difference between ADHD-related anxiety and other forms of anxiety will be reviewed. Much attention will be paid to the treatment (and treatment obstacles) of ADHD and anxiety, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), psychopharmacological interventions, and health hygiene.

Both empirical studies and clinical data have demonstrated a strong relationship between ADHD and sleep issues. This ranges from difficulty falling asleep and problems waking up to sleep talking and sleep paralysis to serious sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea. There are various contributing biological, genetic, behavioral and psychological factors that cultivate sleep problems in children and adults with ADHD. The importance of sleep cannot be overestimated, not just because it exacerbates ADHD symptoms, but also because it profoundly affects health in general. This presentation will also cover practical ADHD-friendly interventions for sleep problems and disorders and ways to optimize sleep. Clinical case examples will be discussed, including the speaker’s own lifelong experience with ADHD and sleep disorders.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition characterized by attention dysregulation, impulsivity, hyperactivity and executive functioning issues. Cannabis is one of the most widely abused substances among people with ADHD. Studies show that those diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to develop a Cannabis Use Disorder. One study found that 34% to 46% of those seeking treatment for cannabis dependence had an ADHD diagnosis. Cannabis is not medicinal for ADHD. Cannabis carries lifelong psychological and physical consequences to the developing brain and body, and people with ADHD are especially vulnerable to its effects. This webinar will first cover facts about cannabis and its impact on the developing brain, as well as why people with ADHD are at higher risk for dependence. This workshop focuses on strong scientific studies and clinical examples, as well as important treatment implications when someone with Cannabis Use Disorder also has ADHD.

This session covers the close connection between ADHD and Executive Functioning, including assessment, treatment and appropriate modifications to consider at school and at home.

This final session covers how we as educators should consider our work with students identified with ADHD compared with students who may have other disabilities. This includes our roles within the community, in school, in the classroom, within special education, and what the accompanying expectations are.

About the Speakers

David Gotthelf (he/him) is a licensed psychologist provider, school psychologist, and special education administrator. Areas of interest and expertise include assessment and treatment of anxiety, executive functioning, and high functioning ASD. He has over 35 years of experience working in schools and clinical settings, including the Wellesley, Lincoln-Sudbury, and Newton Public Schools. Following his “retirement” from Newton Public Schools, he served as the program manager for teens and young adults with high functioning ASD at MGH’s Aspire Program. Dr. Gotthelf currently has a private practice, providing therapy and evaluation services. In addition to the training webinars he provides for MPY, Dr. Gotthelf has taught at Boston University and Northeastern University and is currently a member of the adjunct faculty at Butler University.

Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D., (he/him) is a Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Associate at McLean Hospital and Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry (si-ki-a-tree) at Harvard Medical School. He maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Lexington, 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. He is co-author of The Adonis Complex, a book which details the various manifestations of body image problems in males. He sits on the Professional Advisory Boards for Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD), the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), and is a Featured Expert for Understood. He also sits on the Scientific Advisory Board for ADDitude Magazine and website and presents at many conferences, podcasts and webinars around the country.

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Membership Information

Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.

PDPs and CEUs

MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz following Session 5.

Event Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.

For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.

Enrollment in this course closed on 10/16/2024.

If you are seeking to receive CEUs and/or PDPs, please click Register Now. Once you complete the webinar series, you will be able to take quizzes for CEUs and/or PDPs. Upon completion of each quiz, you will receive a certificate.

All sessions are 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm.