FREE MEMBERS EVENT

ADHD and Focus Strategies

Miriam Unruh

Miriam has been working with PSE students since 1990, first as a coordinator of the Student Accessibility Lab at the University of Winnipeg, then as Coordinator of the UW SAS for two years, before moving on to coordinate the Academic Learning Centre (formerly the Learning Assistance Centre) at the University of Manitoba. No longer director, but still in the same department, Miriam works with graduate students on writing, Health Services students as a Learning Specialist, and as an ADHD coach. She also teaches a credit course (Introduction to University) that fulfills the UM writing requirement every fall.  Miriam loves working with students and the variety of work required by all her different “hats.”

Session Description:

This workshop explores Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its impact on students’ learning and behaviour. I will focus on the interaction between emotion, working memory, and attention through the lens of current neuroscience research on ADHD. 

Learning outcomes:

• Develop a basic understanding of ADHD and executive functions.
• Learn how impaired emotional regulation can impact a student’s ability to focus and get work done. 
• Understand how the task-positive network (TPN) and the default mode network (DPN) impact neurodiverse students’ ability to study/learn
• Gain strategies on positive reframing, student overwhelm, and developing the students’ ability to leverage their interests (vs. importance) when faced with daunting tasks.