Supporting the ADHD Brain
Strategies for Home, School, and Practice
Saturday, November 14th, 2026
10am-12pm PST
Non-Contact (Online)
Uncover what’s really going on behind ADHD behaviors in children.
This 2-hour interactive session equips participants with the tools to look beyond surface-level traits, understand executive function challenges, and apply practical supports across classroom, clinical, and home environments.
Presented by Layla Hansen and Colleen Russell of Spirited Minds
Hosted by The Redwood Center for Play Therapy Education, LLC
Course Description
This comprehensive 2-hour workshop goes beneath the surface behavior to examine the core cognitive, emotional, and executive function factors driving ADHD presentation.
Children with ADHD often navigate complex demands that look vastly different at school compared to home, leading to misunderstandings about their intentions, abilities, and behavior.
Participants will explore how symptoms vary across different settings, debunk common myths, and learn how to identify less obvious presentations, including quiet or inattentive profiles. By shifting the perspective from "Why won't they?" to "What skill or support is missing?", attendees will gain practical, actionable strategies to improve communication between families and schools, establish effective accommodations, and provide meaningful support across settings.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this three-hour training, participants will be able to:
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Identify common and less obvious signs of ADHD in children.
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Understand how ADHD may present differently at school versus at home.
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Recognize the connection between ADHD, executive functioning, and behavior.
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Identify common emotional regulation challenges associated with ADHD.
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Apply practical strategies in the classroom, office, and home.
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Communicate more effectively with schools and families.
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Understand basic supports and accommodations that can help students with ADHD.
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Shift from a "Why won't they?" mindset to a "What skill or support is missing?" mindset.
All payments are final and non-refundable. If an unexpected emergency prevents you from participating, you may email us at trainings@theredwoodcenter.org to request an exception. If a program is canceled by The Redwood Center, participants will receive a full refund. For our complete cancellation and refund policy, click the link below.
Meet Your Trainers
About Layla
With over 11 years of dedicated service in the school district, Layla Hansen brings deep expertise and a compassionate approach to supporting students with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
As a certified ADHD coach, behaviorist, and parent trainer, Layla specializes in working with elementary-aged children, helping them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Layla’s work is grounded in both professional knowledge and personal understanding. She has a deep connection to the neurodiverse community and is passionate about empowering students and their families.
Her strengths lie in creating individualized strategies, fostering collaboration between home and school, and building environments where all students feel seen, supported, and successful.
Driven by a commitment to equity and inclusion, Layla is a strong advocate for neurodiverse learners and a trusted resource for both staff and families.
About Colleen
Colleen has had the privilege and pleasure of supporting neurodiverse individuals and community members with disabilities for over twenty years.
They are one of the founders and former managers of the Kid Quest Social Center, a program that brought together children and young adults with special needs and their typically developing peers to foster collaboration, build life skills, and engage in enriching experiences like SCUBA diving, theater, music, cooking, and gardening.
Currently, Colleen has the pleasure of serving on the behavior support team at Boulder Creek Elementary School. For nearly a decade, they have been a certified trainer in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), equipping educators and support staff with the tools to effectively de-escalate challenging behaviors and promote emotional co-regulation strategies.
Beyond the classroom, Colleen provides individualized support to children and adults with disabilities. She collaborates with families throughout Santa Cruz County to develop person-centered behavior plans and support strategies, with a focus on crisis communication, positive behavior interventions, and strengthening school-family partnerships.