ADHD EXPERT PRESENTS VALUABLE LESSONS IN HOW STUDENTS LEARN TO AREA SCHOOL PROFESSIONALS AND FAMILIES
Dr. Walt Karniski recently addressed school professionals and parents at Barnstable Academy in Oakland about how to educate and encourage students who have ADHD. With him, left to right, are Elizabeth Baumel, Barnstable’s director of admissions and outreach, Bridget Devine, a Barnstable parent, and Celia Kahn, director of social services.
OAKLAND, N.J., April 19, 2011 – Barnstable Academy recently hosted a lecture by Dr. Walt Karniski, a noted expert in ADD, ADHD, and learning disabilities. Karniski serves in an advisory role to Barnstable Academy; he spoke to school faculty and administrators as well as parents from throughout northern New Jersey about issues that affect how students with these conditions actually learn, and how to develop strategies in the classroom to facilitate their school success. Karniski discussed the challenges students face in terms of their executive function—their ability to organize themselves in various levels, prioritize tasks, shift from one activity to another, and monitor their own behavior. The presentation is one of many hosted by Barnstable Academy throughout the year which are free and open to the public as well as education and mental health professionals.
“The role of executive function is not normally addressed in a traditional public or private school,” noted Karniski. “All students with ADHD have challenges in this area but these skills can be taught to help the student overcome difficulties with school work.” He added that approximately 60% of children with ADHD have an associated learning disability.
Karniski advised concerned parents to have their children undergo a comprehensive evaluation by a psychologist, and to seek out a developmental pediatrician or psychiatrist who truly understands the intricacies of appropriate medication management, along with an educational program that emphasizes executive function. H
“Dr. Karniski has provided Barnstable’s faculty with invaluable advice and expertise in his field for several years, which helps us be more responsive to our students’ needs,” said Head of School Lizanne Coyne. “With each presentation we all learn how to be better educators for students facing these challenges.”
Photo caption:
Dr. Walt Karniski recently addressed school professionals and parents at Barnstable Academy in Oakland about how to educate and encourage students who have ADHD. With him, left to right, are Elizabeth Baumel, Barnstable’s director of admissions and outreach, Bridget Devine, a Barnstable parent, and Celia Kahn, director of social services.