CBA welcomed Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D., an internationally recognized authority on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) in children and adults, as keynote speaker to our 4th Annual ADHD Symposium. Dr. Barkley has dedicated his career to widely disseminating science-based information about ADHD and we are pleased to share his presentation on Executive Functioning, Self Regulation and ADHD with our community. Presentation includes DSM-5 criteria on the diagnosis of ADHD, understanding the symptoms of ADHD, neuropsychological deficits, hyperactivity and impulsivity, and executive attention. Dr. Barkley reviews the current status of executive functioning, and the serious problems with its current construct. In addition, Barkley examines how the neuro-anatomy and neuropsychology of ADHD virtually guarantee that ADHD is actually Executive Function Deficit Disorder (EFDD). Through neuro-imaging findings including delayed brain growth, early cortical maturation and executive brain networks, Barkley builds on his theory of executive functioning as he links inhibition and self-control to executive functions. By breaking down the five executive functions used in daily life (self-restraint, time management, self organization and problem solving, self motivation, and emotional self-regulation), Barkley explains that executive functions create four development transitions in controlling behavior. Barkley’s presentation also includes a two-level view of self-regulation, what engages the executive functioning system, how self-regulatory strength may be a limited resource pool, understanding the ADHD brain, and treatment implications for someone with ADD/ADHD.
