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Ep. 205: Understanding ADHD Assessments

Release Date: 10/01/2024

Ep. 228: Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) with Dr. Samantha Levy

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are excited to have Samantha Levy, PhD join the show again this week to discuss Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Dr. Samantha Levy is a clinical psychologist specializing in youth with chronic pain disorders. She uses a biopsychosocial approach to address both physical and emotional struggles, working with children, families, and parents to help them align the mind and body for improved functioning. Dr. Levy also runs parent groups, writes a parenting blog for , and works as a psychologist for Whole Child LA. Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a condition in which often...

Ep. 227: Teen Depression Gone Viral with Dr. Meredith Gansner

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined this week by . Dr. Gansner is a child psychiatrist at Boston Children’s Hospital and an instructor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializing in high-risk digital media use in teens. She has received multiple research grants, including a K23 career development award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and she is an active member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry media committee. Her first book, , explores the challenges of treating adolescent depression in the digital age. In this episode, Dr. Meredith Gansner discusses depression in...

Ep. 226: Is It Autism? Recognizing, Assessing & Supporting Children and Teens with Dr. Chandni Singh

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week on the podcast, we are happy to have Dr. Chandni Singh on the show. Dr. Singh is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than a decade of experience in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions in children, adolescents, and young adults. She is committed to providing evidence-based assessments and tailored treatment recommendations, and she strongly focuses on serving culturally and ethnically diverse communities. At West LA Neuropsychology, PC, she specializes in early diagnostic evaluations for young children and comprehensive assessments...

Ep. 225: Moving Beyond Accommodations and Modifications to Cognitive Change for Academic Gains with Shelley Woon

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week on the podcast, we welcome Shelley Woon to the conversation. Shelley is a dedicated educator and school leader with over three decades of experience supporting students, families, and staff in overcoming learning challenges. She holds a Master of Education in Leadership, has specialized qualifications in Special Education and Reading, and serves as Head of School at and Superintendent of Special Education. Shelley values the brain-learning connection and is committed to helping others unlock their potential. Shelley joins us to explore how we can move beyond compensatory strategies...

Ep. 224: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 2 with Lance Steinberg, M.D.

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Following up on last week’s episode, we are joined once again by , M.D. to further discuss the complex issue of medicating children with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and if you missed part 1 of the discussion, be sure to go back and listen to that before diving into part 2! In this continuation of our discussion, Dr. Steinberg sheds more light on the approach that is required when considering medication, stressing that a thoughtful evaluation is important before immediately jumping to medical solutions. Dr. Steinberg offers some insights into the FDA-approved medications,...

Ep. 223: Should I Medicate My Child? – Part 1 with Lance Steinberg, M.D.

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined this week by , M.D. Dr. Steinberg is an expert in psychopharmacology, specializing in conditions such as OCD, ADHD, and autism. He has taught internationally and at institutions like UCLA, earning multiple awards for his outstanding teaching. He completed his medical training at Dartmouth, UCLA, and Stanford, and he currently practices in Calabasas, Encino, and Valencia. Dr. Steinberg joins us today in this first part of a two-part episode to discuss managing medication for youth with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. We discuss the important factors parents...

Ep. 222: Wildfires and Mental Health: Understanding the Impact and Strategies for Recovery with Dr. Jyoti Mishra

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

We are joined for this episode by Dr. Jyoti Mishra to help us discuss an incredibly important and timely topic - the impact of wildfires on mental health. Dr. Mishra is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego, the founder of NEATLabs, and co-director of the UC-wide Climate Change and Mental Health Initiative. Dr. Mishra specializes in climate trauma, resilience, digital health interventions, and precision psychiatry, with her work featured in major media outlets like CNN, TIME, and NPR. In this episode, we explore how natural disasters (such as the recent wildfires in...

Ep. 221: Would a Behavioral Aide/Shadow Help My Child?

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week, joins us to talk about the role of behavioral aides or "shadows" in schools, focusing on how they help children with unique behavioral challenges thrive in the classroom. Lisa is a board-certified behavior analyst with a master's in Applied Behavior Analysis and more than a decade of experience in private practice. She provides 1:1 support for children and teens with autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other behavioral challenges, along with parent coaching. In this episode, we dive into the types of challenges that might indicate a need for a behavioral aide, such as social conflicts,...

Ep. 220: How to Support Children and Teens with Chronic Pain with Dr. Samantha Levy

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

Dr. Samantha Levy joins us this week to discuss the challenges of supporting kids with chronic pain. Samantha is a clinical psychologist specializing in youth with chronic pain disorders, using a biopsychosocial approach to address both physical and emotional challenges. She also supports parents through individual sessions, group facilitation, and a parenting blog for , while working with Whole Child LA. In this episode, we discuss the complexities of chronic pain and explore its neurological nature and the effects that it has on one's body, mind, and family dynamics. Dr. Levy explains...

Ep. 219: Understanding Dysgraphia: Signs, Strategies, and Support for Struggling Writers with Natasha Gray

Diverse Thinking Different Learning

This week, we discuss the complexities of dysgraphia, a neurodevelopmental disorder that can greatly affect written expression. We are joined by Natasha Gray, founder of in the Caribbean. We unpack dysgraphia and what it is and highlight its varied types and how it often overlaps with other challenges such as ADHD and dyslexia. Natasha explains the different ways that dysgraphia can manifest and discusses some of the warning signs such as illegible handwriting, avoidance of writing tasks, and challenges with spelling and spacing. Natasha also shares her insights into the neurological...

More Episodes

In today’s episode, I’m focusing on a topic that impacts millions of children, teens, and adults: ADHD assessments. ADHD is a chronic condition that often persists throughout life, so understanding the assessment process is crucial for setting families up for long-term success. I’ll be diving into various aspects of this process, exploring the multiple steps involved to ensure that the diagnosis is thorough and accurate. From clinical interviews to lifestyle assessments, there are several key factors that play a role in understanding ADHD and its impact on a person’s daily life.

Listen to learn the steps in an ADHD assessment, why each step is important, and how this evidence-based approach ensures that children and families receive the support they need.

Show Notes:

[1:36] - ADHD is often diagnosed in childhood. It is not something children grow out of.

[2:29] - Assessments include multiple steps, beginning with a thorough clinical interview.

[3:58] - A lifestyle assessment is important as well and includes looking into sleep habits, diet, and screen use.

[5:59] - It is also a part of an ADHD assessment to review a child’s functioning across multiple settings.

[7:35] - ADHD is never diagnosed based on test scores alone.

[8:24] - You do not need a neuropsychological assessment to diagnose ADHD.

[9:28] - No ADHD assessment is complete without a feedback session.

[11:33] - This evidence-based approach ensures that children and families receive an accurate diagnosis and the right support.

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The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

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