This presentation is designed to help school psychologists differentiate between several of the most common diagnoses today. The presenter uses a PowerPoint lecture with case studies to illustrate typical symptom presentation and to clarify factors that help differentiate between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, nonverbal learning disorder (NLD), and Asperger's syndrome. Executive functioning is defined as a general concept, and a game activity is used to demonstrate one way to help develop executive skills in students. Current knowledge of how executive functioning presents within these disorders is discussed as well. Additionally, practical strategies to address a child's specific symptoms, as opposed to a general diagnosis for use in a classroom setting, also are presented. This workshop specifically targets public school-age children from elementary through high school and learning objectives include the following:
• Workshop participants will be able to identify at least three similarities or differences between children diagnosed with ADHD, NLD, and Asperger’s syndrome.
• Participants will be able to discuss at least five practical strategies to address symptoms associated with ADHD, NLD, or Asperger’s syndrome in the classroom.
• Workshop attendees will be able to discuss at least three aspects of executive functioning and how they relate to a student’s performance in the classroom.