Parents, caregivers, teachers and therapists: if there’s a child in your life with learning differences, chances are you are seeking some advice. Discover the Lab School's popular Speaker Series! Our monthly lectures are rich with information, insights and tips that will help you nurture the opportunities—and navigate the challenges—learning differences can present.
At our Wednesday night events, you'll have the opportunity to listen to - and learn from - leading LD and ADHD specialists as they address early childhood, adolescent, and adult challenges and opportunities. Our speakers are outstanding, recognized professionals in the learning differences field. Just as important, each is accessible and ready to answer your questions.
All events are open to the public and offered free of charge – and now virtual! Registration is required – see registration links below.
Speaker Series events will be 60-minutes long, 6:30-7:30 PM.
"What We Know About Brain Plasticity: Why Effective Teaching Matters"
Joanna Christodoulou, EdD Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston
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"Getting Past The Jargon: Helping Parents Make Sense of Neuropsychological and Psychoeducational Evaluation Reports"
Mary Jo Coiro
Director of Reservoir Psychology Group
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"Straight Talk about ADHD Treatment: The Pros and Cons of Medication"
Catherine McCarthy, MD
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"No Brakes, No Breaks: A Parent's Guide to Healthy Use of Digital Technology in ADHD/LD"
Clifford Sussman, MD in private practice in psychiatry for children, adolescents, and young adults in Washington, DC since 2008
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"When to Worry About Your Worrier – A Roadmap for Recognizing and Supporting Children and Adolescents Struggling with Anxiety"
Kevin Young, PhD Founder of Maryland OCD and Anxiety Therapy
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"Strengths of the Dyslexic Mind"
Brock Eide, MD, MA and Fernette Eide, MD Co- Founders of Dyslexic Advantage and Neurolearning.com Co-Authors of The Dyslexic Advantage (revised and updated, 2023) and The Mislabeled Child Edmonds, Washington
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“Preparing for College when your Child has ADHD or learning differences”
Mary Jo Coiro, PhD, ABPP Director of Psychological Services at The Lab School of Washington Director of The Reservoir Group Washington, DC
Trudy Fleisher, MSpED College Advisor The Lab School of Washington Washington, DC
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"Supporting Attention and Executive Functioning from Early Childhood to Young Adulthood"
Katia Fredriksen, PhD Pediatric Neuropsychologist The Stixrud Group | Silver Spring, MD
Yael Rothman, PhD Pediatric Neuropsychologist The Stixrud Group | Silver Spring, MD
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“Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in Children, Teens, and Young Adults: What Parents and Educators Can Do”
William Stixrud, PhD
Neuropsychologist, Founder of The Stixrud Group, Professor at Children’s National Medical Center and Assistant Professor at George Washington University
Silver Spring, MD
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"Belonging & The Adoptee Experience: In conversation with Angela Tucker"
Angela Tucker
Adoption expert, educator and transracial adoptee
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“From Studio to Academic Classroom: Art as a Tool for Student Success”
Rebecca Alberts
Director of Visual Arts, The Lab School Upper School
Sara Hawkins
Director of Visual Arts, The Lab School Lower and Middle Schools
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"Leading with Differences: Best Practices for Fostering Student Leadership in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging"
Anthony Perry, PhD
Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging
The Lab School
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"‘It’s (not just) Academic’: Preparing for that Impending Post-Secondary Phase"
Salya Namazi, PhD
Clinical Neuropsychologist
Michael Reiter, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
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“Cultural Bias in the Special Education Evaluation Process”
"When to Worry: Pediatric Emotional Problems in a Time of Stress"
Daniel Pine, MD
Chief, Emotion and Development Branch
NIMH Intramural Research Program
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"A Healthy Mind and Body: The Modern Interplay of Psychotropic Medications, Medical Foods, and Physical Wellness"
Lance D. Clawson, MD, FAACAP
Psychiatrist, Private Practice
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“Raising Resilience: Helping Our Children and Ourselves Bounce Back”
Mary K. Alvord, Ph.D. Psychologist and Director of Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC
Colleen Cummings, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist and the Director of Research at Alvord, Baker, & Associates, LLC
Nina Shiffrin, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist and Associate Director of Research at Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC
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"Supporting Adolescent Academic Challenges in Reading, Writing & Note-taking"
Melissa Wood, MS, CCC-SLP, SLDI
Executive Director of The Reservoir Group and the Director of Speech, Language & Literacy at The Lab School of Washington
Gretchen Kunz, MS, CCC-SLP
Associate Director of Speech, Language & Literacy at The Lab School of Washington
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"Executive Functioning and Dysregulation: Understanding and Supporting Neurodiverse Students"
David Black, PhD
Pediatric Neuropsychologist and Director of the Center for Assessment And Treatment (CAAT)
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"The Intersection of Learning Differences and Racial Identity"
Linda Fleming McGhee, JD, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
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"The Science of Reading: How Instruction Re-Wires the Brain"
Dr. Rebecca Resnik
Licensed Psychologist and Founder, Rebecca Resnik and Associates LLC
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"Talking to Kids with Learning Differences to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Peaceful Home"
Dr. William Stixrud
Clinical Neuropsychologist and Founder of The Stixrud Group
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"Using Classroom Reading and Writing Instruction as a Gateway to Address Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity: Practical Strategies and Examples for the Classroom"
Melissa A. Wood, MS, CCC-SLP
Director Speech Language and Literacy
The Lab School of Washington
Anthony Perry, PhD
Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Lab School of Washington
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“Playing with Math: Brain-Based Strategies to Improve Foundational Math Skills”
Steven G. Feifer, D. Ed., NCSP
Licensed Psychologist
Monocacy Neurodevelopmental Center
Frederick, MD
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“How Playfulness Can Help Us Use Change to Our Advantage”
Amy Oswalt
Elementary Division Head at The Lab School of Washington
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“When Stimulants Are Not Enough: Alternative Strategies to Manage ADHD beyond Traditional Pharmacology”
Gonzalo Laje, MD, MHSc
Director, Washington Behavioral Medicine Associates
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"Rediscovering Our Resilience: A Mental Health Perspective on Parenting During the Pandemic"
Doug Fagen, PhD Director, Reservoir Psychology Group The Lab School of Washington
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November 18, 2020
"Organized Chaos: Executive Functioning Strategies for Learning in a Variety of Environments"
Courtney Heldman, MS, OTR/L
Director of Occupational Therapy at The Lab School
presenting with
Martha Kiger, MA, OTR/L
Occupational Therapistat The Lab School
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October 21, 2020
"The Fire This Time: Building an Equitable and Inclusive Community"
Dr. Anthony Perry
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Lab School of Washington
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September 23, 2020
"Managing Stress, Anxiety and Parenting under COVID-19"
Lisa Damour, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, best-selling author, columnist and news contributor
Kim Wargo, Head of School, The Lab School of Washington
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April 22, 2020
Are Coronavirus changes making you stressed? 10 Simple and Powerful Coping Strategies for Parents
Elizabeth DuPont Spencer, LCSW-C
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February 5, 2020
Anxiety and Other Emotional Problems in Youth: Understanding and Treatment
Daniel S. Pine, MD
Chief, Section on Development and Affective Neuroscience
National Institute of Mental Health Intramural Research Program
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January 15, 2020
"Beyond Learning Differences and Executive Functioning Challenges: How to Solve Any Academic Problem with Study Skills and Time Management"
Paul Rivas, MA
Founder/Director, SMITH RIVAS Study Skills & Academic Coaching
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November 6, 2019
“Growing up with Learning Challenges: Emotional and Behavioral Consequences”
Judith M. Glasser, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
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September 25, 2019
Jonathan Mooney, Neuro-Diverse Writer and Advocate
Author: Normal Sucks - How to Live, Learn, and Thrive Outside the Lines” and “The Short Bus"
2025-2026 Speaker Series
October 15, 2025 Sharing the Diagnosis: Talking to Your Child About Their Neurodiversity
Katia Fredriksen, PhD, Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Director of Training, The Stixrud Group and co-author of Different Thinkers Yael Rothman, PhD, Pediatric Neuropsychologist and co-author of Different Thinkers
Devorah Heitner, PhD, Author of Growing up in Public: Coming Of Age In A Digital World and Screenwise: Helping Kids Thrive (and Survive) in Their Digital World
March 18, 2026 The Secret Power of a Growth Mindset at Home and School
Mary Cay Ricci, Educational Consultant, Author of NYT Best Selling Education Book, Mindsets in the Classroom and Ready to Use Resources for Mindsets in the Classroom
