Lowell Schools: March 11, 2026 - ADHD
ADHD
Ellen Braaten, PhD
Date: March 11. 2026
9:00 - 10:00 AM EDT
Within the last 40 years, there have been substantial scientific gains in understanding the patterns of brain development that are associated with attentional regulation and executive functions, and that difficulties with these skills present across a wide range of clinical conditions. However, there is still considerable confusion about what executive functions are, how they relate to attention, how they relate to diagnosis (or not) of ADHD, and how they impact social, psychological, and learning abilities across the lifespan.
Concerns about attentional regulation and executive functions present across the lifespan. In this lecture , we discuss the typical and atypical development of these skills, focusing on how to accurately assess attention and executive functions to assist differential diagnosis and treatment planning. We discuss Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other clinical conditions where these skills may be compromised and discuss interventions and accommodations that may mitigate risk of secondary psychosocial difficulties.
We present real-world clinical scenarios to illustrate the associated signs and symptoms of attentional difficulties and executive dysfunction, as well as how to perform a clinical assessment that assists with differential diagnosis and effective treatment planning. We discuss neuropsychological profiles associated with attentional difficulties and executive dysfunction, common diagnostic comorbidities, the development of attention and executive functions, and appropriate interventions across the lifespan.
Target Audience
This program is intended for psychologists, social workers, educators, and license mental health counselors.
Accreditation
Each monthly lecture is accredited for up to 1.0 CE.
1.0 Psychologists:
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 1.0 CE credit.
1.0 Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 clock hours for continuing education credits.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training session, participants should be able to:
- Identify classroom and testing accommodations for students with ADHD/EF
- Apply ADHD/EF support strategies across settings
- Identify strategies to help families of students with ADHD/EF
Lowell Public Schools & MGH Psychiatry Academy Training Series
Time: 12:00-1:00 PM EDT (Live Virtual via Zoom)
Program Agenda
March 11, 2026
9:00- 10:00 AM EDT Ellen Braaten, PhD
Director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) at Mass. General Hospital and the Track Director of the Child Psychology Training Program at MGH/Harvard Medical School. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School
Ellen Braaten, PhD, is the Director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) at Mass. General Hospital and the Track Director of the Child Psychology Training Program at MGH/Harvard Medical School. She is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Braaten received her M.A. degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Colorado and her PhD in Psychology at Colorado State University and completed her internship training at Massachusetts General Hospital. She has been affiliated with Mass. General Hospital since 1998.
Dr. Braaten is widely recognized as an expert in the field of pediatric neuropsychological and psychological assessment, particularly in the areas of assessing learning disabilities and attentional disorders. She has been the recipient of funding to conduct research studies on children with nonverbal learning disabilities and attentional disorders and has published numerous papers, chapters, and reviews on ADHD, learning disabilities, gender and psychopathology, intelligence, and neuropsychological and psychological assessment of children.
She is the co-author of Straight Talk about Psychological Testing for Kids, a book that has become a classic for parents and professionals. She has also written The Child Clinician's Report Writing Handbook, which has been called *the most comprehensive child assessment handbook available." Her most recent book for parents is entitled Finding the Right Mental Health Care for Your Child, published by the American Psychological Association.
In addition to being the director of LEAP, Dr. Braaten also is the director of child psychology internship training and is the primary assessment supervisor for child psychology interns and post-doctoral fellows. She routinely teaches and supervises child psychiatry fellows and is actively involved in the School Psychiatry Program at MGH.
Available Credit
- 1.00 Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. MGH Institute of Health Professions maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 clock hours for continuing education credits.
- 1.00 Participation
This course allows other providers to claim a Participation Certificate upon successful completion of this course.
Participation Certificates will specify the title, location, type of activity, date of activity, and number of AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ associated with the activity. Providers should check with their regulatory agencies to determine ways in which AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may or may not fulfill continuing education requirements. Providers should also consider saving copies of brochures, agenda, and other supporting documents.
- 1.00 Psychologists CE Credit
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs. MGH Institute of Health Professions designates this activity for 1.00 CE credit.

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