Hill Top Prep Speaker Series

Riding Out the Storm:
Managing Emotional Intensity in Neurodivergent Students

Date: Wednesday, April 19th, 2023
Time: 6:00 pm (meet & greet)

6:30 pm Presentation

 

Description: Neurodivergent (ADHD, Autistic, Gifted, dyslexic, twice-exceptional, etc.) individuals are marked by their intensity, particularly their emotional intensity.  These emotional outbursts can be very disruptive and dysregulating to the students, their peers, parents, teachers, and community supports.  This session will focus on the psychology and neuroscience behind emotional intensity and give concrete, accessible techniques that will allow for the development of self-regulation skills.

 

Program:  Emotions are the cause of many disruptive and problematic behaviors that our neurodivergent children face.  The neurodivergent brain is marked by structural and functional differences that manifest in increased emotionality, from vocal expression to behavioral activation.  Understanding these differences allow for the neurodivergent individual and their support team to take meaningful steps towards adapting more functional and prosocial behaviors to manage their emotional intensity.  Drawing on years of psychological experience, Dr. Zakreski will walk participants through several different trouble areas (i.e., peer relations, failure, social outings) and give concrete strategies on how to manage those feelings and behaviors at home, at school, and in the community.