SEN Explained: ADHD & Emotions with Stephanie Camilleri

Welcome! Our information and guidance events aim to empower parents, carers, and upskill professionals with knowledge and capacities to close gaps in knowledge in the community and improve whole-family well-being. Our speakers have first-hand knowledge and experience across special educational needs (SEN). We want to share first-hand expertise and experiences to impact not only our families, but educators, academics, voluntary and statutory sector professionals, and the public-at-large for more equitable understanding, treatment, and practices. What will be covered in this session? ADHD has a huge impact on ADHDers’ ability to regulate their emotions. This causes havoc within them, their relationships and their learning. Surprisingly, the diagnostic criteria for ADHD is silent on the emotional dysregulation component of ADHD which doesn’t help. Dr William Dodson describes the two types of emotional problems ADHDers experience: Intense, passionate emotions that are normal in every way except their intensity. Intense vulnerability to rejection and criticism that is unique to people who have ADHD (ie "Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria). In this way, the highs are higher and the lows are lower. Moods are almost always triggered by events and perceptions. Like a storm, the mood leaves just as quickly as it moves in (although often leaving destruction in its wake). When you add a parent with ADHD to the mix – the storm moves up to the next level. It becomes even more important (but equally more difficult) to look through the ADHD lens to keep perspective and tame these often overpowering emotions. Join us to explore how you and your child can better navigate your way through the turbulence of managing emotions with ADHD. The ADHD Advocate provides certified ADHD coaching, training, and advocacy, educating and inspiring young people and their families, schools and organisations to understand and embrace ADHD. Taking a strengths-based, holistic and collaborative approach, the certified ADHD Coaches have helped many young people and their families tell a new story, one of empowerment and hope for the future. Biography Stephanie was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult following the diagnosis of two of her daughters. A former Magic Circle Lawyer working in Banking, Stephanie is the founder of The ADHD Advocate and co-founder of the ADHD Unlocked Membership Community. She has helped educate and inspire students and their parents, professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives to understand and embrace their ADHD, helping them to create the structures and strategies they need to achieve their goals. Stephanie is also a former Primary School Governor for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (“SEND”), former Chair of trustees of ADHD Action, and runs the London ADHD Support Group on Facebook. Stephanie is passionate about raising awareness of ADHD, particularly in the Healthcare and Education sectors. To learn more about Stephanie, please visit: www.theadhdadvocate.com www.adhdunlocked.co.uk To learn more about our work at Sen Talk, please visit: www.sentalk.org