Disorders of Attention: Rethinking Attentional Dysfunction Across Neurodevelopmental And Mental Health Conditions (7 Nov 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Speaker: Theodore Wasserman, PhD, ABPdN, ABPP

3 CEs Available

Level of Activity: Intermediate

Abstract:

Attention is a foundational neurodevelopmental process that emerges early in life and becomes increasingly integrated with executive functioning, emotional regulation, motor development, and broader cognitive systems. Because attention is embedded within nearly all aspects of human behavior, attentional disruption rarely occurs as an isolated or unitary deficit. Instead, attentional problems may appear across a wide range of neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions, including ADHD, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other clinical presentations.

This workshop will examine attention as a complex, heterogeneous, and context-dependent process. Particular emphasis will be placed on differentiating attentional dysfunction associated with ADHD from attentional disruption that occurs secondary to mood, anxiety, obsessive- compulsive, or other neuropsychological processes. The workshop will also address cases in which attention is not inherently disordered, but is instead inefficiently allocated, misdirected, or disrupted by competing cognitive-emotional demands.

Participants will be introduced to a more nuanced framework for conceptualizing disorders of attention beyond a singular ADHD model. The presentation will review the heterogeneity problem in current diagnostic approaches and discuss implications for assessment, differential diagnosis, research, and clinical formulation.

Objectives:

Identify distinct patterns of attentional dysfunction associated with ADHD, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other clinical conditions.
Distinguish between primary attentional impairment and attentional disruption related to emotional distress, cognitive load, inefficient allocation, or broader executive functioning demands.
Apply a differential diagnostic framework to improve interpretation of attentional symptoms during neurological and psychological assessment.

About Dr. Wasserman:

Dr. Wasserman is a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist specializing in the treatment of clinical and neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Wasserman’s certification in clinical psychology is from the American Board of Professional Psychology and his board certification in pediatric neuropsychology is from the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology as a result of this board certification. Dr. Wasserman, a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Florida, completed his doctorate at Hofstra University. He completed an internship in pediatric neuropsychology at North Shore University Medical Center. Postdoctoral training was completed in Cognitive Behavior Therapy at the Institute for Advanced Study of Rational Psychotherapy under the supervision of Albert Ellis PhD. Dr. Wasserman holds memberships in the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the International Neuropsychological Society. He is a founding member and past president of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology.

Dr Wasserman’s clinical practice includes the provision of Neuropsychological assessment and treatment for a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders, ADHD, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other issues impacting the mental health of children.

Dr. Wasserman has co-authored seven books on neuroscience, neural network theory and mental health and contributed chapters to various books on clinical issues related to family law, autism, attention deficit disorder and learning disorders. Topics of his numerous published papers include children’s development, attention, language and executive function, behavior management and cognitive behavior therapy. He has given invited lectures and provided consultation regarding pediatric neuropsychology throughout the United States and internationally.

The American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology (AAPdN) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. AAPdN maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

AAPdN is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board of Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0059. AAPdN maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

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Cancellations made within 10 days of the event will not be eligible for a refund.

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Disorders of Attention: Rethinking Attentional Dysfunction Across Neurodevelopmental And Mental Health Conditions (7 Nov 2026)