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Upcoming Events

Learning and the Brain | Supporting Readers in the Context of ADHD and Executive Function Challenges

Saturday, March 22, 2025, 10:00am - 12:00pm ET (virtual)

 

​For struggling readers, ADHD and challenges with Executive Functions (EF) can be common. In this session, we will clarify how ADHD and EF relate to one another, and to the reading process. We will share insights from cognitive neuroscience, clinical, and education contexts to discuss reading, ADHD, and EF. We will conclude with practical strategies for home and school settings to best support and motivate readers.

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This seminar is applicable to PreK-12 Teachers and Reading Specialists, Administrators, School Psychologists and Clinicians, and Education Professors and College Professors.

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To learn more and register now, click here.

AEP Connections | Understanding Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities

Thursday, April 3, 2025, 11:00am - 2:45pm ET (virtual)

 

Learning disabilities in math (dyscalculia), writing (dysgraphia), and nonverbal learning affect up to 15% of students, though the exact prevalence of each condition is unclear because many children who have difficulty in one of these areas, have difficulties in another. These learning differences can significantly impact a child’s education and future life choices as writing, math, and problem solving skills are crucial in adulthood. This course will cover all aspects of each of these disorders, including current definitions, early signs and symptoms, what constitutes an appropriate assessment, and the most effective treatments. We will explore the most current research as well as the brain’s role in each of these disorders. These disorders not only frequently co-occur with each other, they are also often comorbid with other conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, and anxiety, and we will explore how to recognize and treat those conditions. Lecture, case studies, PowerPoint, and question and answer sessions will be used to present the content.

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This is an introductory level course intended for teachers, health professionals (OT/PT/SLP), psychologists, health care providers (pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, child psychiatrists). No prerequisites are required.

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To learn more and register now, click here.

Massachusetts General Hospital | Learning Disorders

Monday, April 7, 2025 through Monday, June 9, 2025 (virtual)
Registration deadline: Monday, April 21, 2025

 

Learning disorders are one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders and have a significant impact on psychosocial functioning. Individuals with learning disorders are at greater risk for psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), as well as other neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and neurological conditions (e.g., epilepsy). They are also at greater risk of diminished educational, occupational, and financial gains, as well as incarceration, especially for those impacted by racial and economic disparities.

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Within the last 20 years, there have been substantial scientific gains in understanding the genetic and environmental factors that lead to specific atypical patterns of brain development that are associated with learning disorders. We have also made gains in characterizing the profiles of youth with learning disorders to enable early identification and intervention. In this course, we review this information for each of the major learning disorders, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia. We also discuss learning disorders that are less well understood, including slow processing speed and nonverbal learning disorder.

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For each disorder, we present real-world clinical scenarios to illustrate the diagnostic hallmarks and associated signs and symptoms. We discuss neuropsychological profiles associated with each disorder, common comorbidities, and their developmental progression, including what might be expected with appropriate intervention. We discuss diagnostic challenges and how eligibility for special education services and accommodations in school is determined.

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This program (10.5 continuing education credits) is intended for psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, mental health professionals, teachers, and educators.

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To learn more and register now, click here.

AEP Connections | Understand Dyslexia from Diagnosis to Treatment

ON-DEMAND through Wednesday, April 30, 2025

 

Dyslexia is the most common of all known learning disorders, affecting 1 in 5 children in the U.S. and accounting for 80% of those diagnosed with an LD. This course will cover all aspects of dyslexia, including current definitions, early signs and symptoms, what constitutes an appropriate assessment, and the most effective treatments. We will explore the most current research as well as the brain’s role in dyslexia. Since dyslexia can co-occur with other conditions such as ADHD and anxiety, we will explore how to recognize and treat those conditions.

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The intended audience includes Special Education teachers, Speech-Language Therapists, OTs, counselors, general education teachers, administrators, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, PTs, principals, nurses, parents, and anyone who works with someone on the autism spectrum, ADHD, executive functioning difficulties, dyslexia or any other neurodivergent learning needs. This presentation is geared for school-aged children 6 through 18 years. No prerequisites are required. 

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To learn more and view now, click here.

Association of Educational Therapists | 2025 Annual Conference

Friday, November 7, 2025

 

Dr. Braaten is thrilled to be the Keynote Speaker at the 2025 Annual Conference of the Association of Educational Therapists (AET)! Check back soon for more information about registration.

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About AET:

The Association of Educational Therapists is an international professional organization for educational therapists providing leadership, certification, professional development, and resources to members, clients, allied professionals, and the public.

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Learn more about AET here.

Recent Past Events

AEP Connections | Anxiety, Social Relationships and Processing Speed: A Guide to Understanding its Impact with Students

May 2, 2024 & December 3, 2024

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AEP Connections | Understand Dyslexia from Diagnosis to Treatment

April 18, 2024 & February 25, 2025

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The Quad Preparatory School | Annual Conference: Breakthroughs in Twice-Exceptional Futures

March 21, 2024

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Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy | Child & Adolescent Psychopharmacology 2024

March 8-10, 2024

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Learning & the Brain Annual Conference | Improving Student Attention, Motivation, and Mindsets in a Disengaged, Distracted Age

February 22-24, 2024


Research Institute for Learning and Development
38th Annual Executive Function Conference | Executive Func
tion, Motivation, and Engagement: Fostering Social-Emotional Learning and Positive Behavior in Students
November 9-10, 2023

MassGeneral for Children Family-Centered Care Series | Understanding and Treating ADHD
October 17, 2023

Rozzie Bound Co-op Author Event: Emily Kline, PhD & Ellen Braaten, PhD

April 29, 2023

Wakefield (MA) Special Education Parent Advisory Council | Dr. Braaten Talks Processing Speed

February 9, 2023

Test Anxiety - cohosted by Signet Education

June 15, 2022

Facebook Live Event: ADHD - What Now?

June 2, 2022

CBS Boston Mental Health Roundtable

May 19, 2022

Understood.org Expert of the Month

November 10, 2021
November 18, 2021 &
December 2, 2021

MassSupport Network Twitter Chat

April 29, 2021

Understood Live Event

April 22, 2021

©2025 Ellen Braaten, PhD & Associates. All rights reserved.

Photographs of Dr. Braaten by Michal Fanta.
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