Making Sense of Attention Problems

Date: June 6, 2015
Host: OPTIONS Services to Communities
Time: 9 to 3 pm
Registration: childcareoptions@options.bc.ca or 604-572-8032
website: www.childcareoptions.ca

Course Description

The Attention Deficit Disorder label has placed attention issues at the fore of public consciousness but without the foundational knowledge enabling us to find our way through a glut of confusing and often conflicting information. While an ADD diagnoses describes symptoms of an attention problem, it lacks an explanation of the emotional and developmental dynamics that may underlie it and focuses on managing symptoms instead of effecting a cure.

Participants will gain an understanding of how the attentional system develops and what can go wrong and why. Participants will learn to differentiate between three basic kinds of attention problems that can all lead to an ADD diagnosis. The ultimate objective of the course is to provide participants with strategies for addressing the roots of the attention problems so that symptoms can abate, regardless of their underlying cause.

Presenter Background

Dr. Deborah MacNamara is on Faculty at the Neufeld Institute and presents, teaches, and writes on all facets of child and adolescent development based on the relational-developmental approach of Gordon Neufeld. She is also in private practice where she offers counselling services to parents and professionals in making sense of learning, behavioural, and developmental issues in kids.