Understanding Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities

Speaker

ELLEN BRAATEN, Ph.D.

Ellen Braaten, PhD, is an experienced and prominent psychologist, researcher, speaker, and author. At Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where Dr. Braaten has been affiliated since 1998, she is the Executive Director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) and the Kessler Family Chair in Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment. She also holds an appointment as Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. In the past, Dr. Braaten served as an Associate Director of The MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds and the track director of the Child Psychology Training Program at MGH/Harvard Medical School (HMS).

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 received funding to conduct longitudinal research on child outpatient samples, and has published numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and reviews on psychological and neuropsychological assessment, intelligence, ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, gender, psychotherapy, and motherhood. Dr. Braaten also has edited two reference books for clinicians.

Dr. Braaten is a prolific writer and the co-author of the best-selling book, Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up (2014), the first book of its kind to focus on information processing speed weaknesses in children. Recently (2019), she published the second edition of The Child Clinician’s Report Writing Handbook, which has been called “the most comprehensive child assessment handbook available.” She is the author of How to Find Mental Health Care for Your Child (2010), the co-author of Straight Talk about Psychological Testing for Kids (2003), and the author of the newly released Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less (2023).

Dr. Braaten received her MA from the University of Colorado and her PhD from Colorado State University. She is a mother of two and resides in Boston, MA.

Objectives

• The participants will be able to define and describe at least 3 of the signs and symptoms of dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and nonverbal learning disabilities.
• The participants will be able to identify and describe at least 2 new findings from current research in dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and NVLD.
• The participants will identify 2 reasons for the controversies around NVLD.
• The participants will be able to identify and summarize the most effective treatments and accommodations for students with dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and NVLD throughout the lifespan.

Schedule

EASTERN TIME

Part I: Math Disorder/Dyscalculia

11:00 to 11:20 Definition/LD intro,Understanding mathematical reasoning

11:20 to 11:45 Approaches to assessing math abilities, Etiology and comorbidities

11:45 to 12:10 Treatments and Case Presentation, Q and A

12:10 to 12:15 BREAK

Part II: Disorder of Written Expression

12:15 to 12:20 Understanding Writing/Writing and the Brain 

12:20 to 12:35 Defining Dysgraphia/Disorder of Written Expression

12:35 to 1:10 Assessment of Dysgraphia, Interventions and Case Presentation

1:10 to 1:20 Q and A

1:20 to 1:25 BREAK

Part III: Nonverbal Learning Disorder 

1:25 to 2:05 Definition, Comorbidities and controversies, Assessing NLD

2:05 to 2:30 Interventions

2:30 to 2:45 Q and A

Professional Development Offerings