ADDventure Conference

Choose Your Own ADDventure Conference 2025

Since 2009, LEP has partnered with other DU departments as well as community resources to host "Choose Your Own ADDventure" for learning differences (LD)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) families and professionals.  It's a FREE, half-day conference that explores and increases the understanding of the many nuances of ADHD and LD.

Event Information

Date: Saturday, April 12th, 2025

Time: 8:45am-3:00pm

Location: Katherine A. Ruffatto Hall, 1999 E. Evans Ave, Denver, CO 80208

 

REGISTER HERE

 

2025 Keynote Speaker: Marcus Soutra, For The Good Consulting

 

 

2025 Conference Schedule:

  • 8:45am: Welcome
  • 9:00am: Keynote Introduction
  • 9:30am-10:30am: Keynote Q&A
  • 10:35am-11:35am: Breakout Session 1 with Q&A
  • 11:40am-12:40pm: Breakout Session 2 with Q&A
  • 12:40pm-1:40pm: Lunch Anthony's Pizza & Salad
  • 1:40am-2:40pm: Breakout Session 3 with Q&A

Interested in Presenting?  Please contact Nathaniel Ellison at nathaniel.ellison@du.edu.

Conference Presenters for 2024 Breakout Sessions:

  • Marcus Soutra 2025 ADDventure Conference Keynote
    Marcus Soutra

    Soutra is a dynamic, award-winning advocate, leader, and trailblazer in the field of neurodiversity (ND). An ND individual himself and former classroom teacher turned social entrepreneur, he co-founded and led Eye to Eye,scaling the organization’s impact on thousands of schools and individuals across the United States. A sought-after speaker, Soutra has delivered compelling talks on stages worldwide, from Harvard to Tokyo, has appeared in dozens of television broadcasts and podcasts,  and has been featured in leading publications including Forbes, The Hill, and Philanthropy Digest. In recognition of his transformative work, he received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater in the spring of 2024.

    As the founder of For The Good Consulting, Soutra now supports organizations dedicated to driving systemic change for individuals furthest from opportunity. He resides in Brooklyn, NY, with his wife, an educator and learning specialist, where together they continue to advocate for a more equitable world for all students.

  • Pioneer Leadership Program: OK2BX Inclusivity Non-Profit

    Luke Pettigrew, Brasen Marlin & Aidan McNally of the Pioneer Leadership Program

    Present...

    Students in the Pioneer Leadership Program will discuss a year long community engagement project involving a partner non-profit organization OK2BX.  This organization focus on integrating various affinity groups with the goal of creating a more interactive community to facilitate increased change and participation in traditionally underserved communities.  

    Students will discuss the process of working through PLP and the leadership process here at the University of Denver.

  • Kendra Richard, MFA & Monterey Buchanan: Assistive Tech & Tutoring

    Kendra Richard, LEP Tutoring Coordinator 

    Kendra grew up in southern Maine and currently lives in Evergreen, Colorado with her Catahoula Leopard dog, Tala. She received her Interdisciplinary BA in Writing and Theatre from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore, and an MFA in Creative Writing and Poetics from the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University in Boulder. She was also a Freelance Lighting Designer and Technician for 15 years— designing and operating lighting and sets for Theatre, concerts, and dance performances. She has been with the LEP since January 2022.  

    Monterey Buchanan 

    Monterey has ten years of tutoring experience, two of them spent supporting and learning from DU LEP students. She has also presented at several tutoring conferences, though this is her first con at DU. Monterey earned her BA in English from Earlham College in 2012, and her MFA in Creative Writing from Regis University in 2019. When she is not tutoring, Monterey enjoys reading YA novels, working on her own creative writing, attending plays, exercising, and playing with her dogs, Zorro and Cassie. She also has mild cerebral palsy. 

    "Assistive Tech & Tutoring" 

    LEP Tutoring Coordinator, Kendra Richard, and LEP Tutor Monterey Buchanan will present on using Assistive Technology in tutoring sessions. We will look at Kurzweil 3000, and best practices for incorporating Assistive tech into your tutoring sessions using UDL principles that could work for all students. We will break into small groups for active learning and practical take-aways and strategies for using Kurzweil or another Assistive tech software with tutors, with students, or on your own.

     

  • L.E.P. Peer Leaders...

    Neurodiversity from a Student's Perspective

                  Join a group of LEP Peer Leaders as they discuss what its like being a neurodiverse student in both K-12 and post-secondary education.

    LEP Peer Leaders are second through fourth year (sophomore through senior) LEP students. They lead and create social skills programming, support other LEP students, and guide a cohort of first year students through their transition into college. These Peer Leaders have a unique experience within the educational community, as they have both experienced neurodiversity as a student and as an advocate for other students.

    This will be a moderated panel focusing on the educational experience of neurodiverse students, the secondary (high school) to post-secondary (college or university) transition, and what they have learned throughout their time as a student, but we might get a little off tracked.

     
  • Christina Crow, Executive Functioning Specialist
    The Question

    Christina Crow, Executive Functioning Specialist

    Remind Brain Training www.remindbraintraining.com

    The Answer is in the Question 

    How to Use Questioning to Enhance Executive Functioning 


    Research has identified specific lines of questioning that have the ability to: increase motivation and creativity, enhance goal-directed persistence, and improve all of the other thinking, reasoning, and problem solving abilities that we refer to as executive functions. So why is this extremely effective strategy so underutilized? Now, that’s an excellent question! Join us for this session as we explore how to use effective questioning strategies to target and enhance executive functioning skill development. 


    Christina Crow is an Executive Functioning Coach and the founder and CEO of ReMind Brain Training. Christina specializes in executive functioning, brain development, learning differences, disabilities, types of neurodiversity, and how to use research-based strategies to intentionally target and effectively enhance intentional neurological development. Through her work with ReMind Brain Training, Christina provides executive functioning coaching and consulting services for students, families, educators, and professionals of all ages.

  • U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) – Ensuring Equal Access for Students With Disabilities

    The presentation will cover the civil rights of students with disabilities, transitioning from high school to college, as well as OCR’s mission, the laws it enforces, and complaint processes.

    Angela Martinez-Gonzalez is the Program Manager and a Supervisory Attorney with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Denver enforcement office.  She has worked on OCR cases involving disability law for 33 years and is a parent of a student with Dyslexia.There will be time for questions.

  • Nathaniel Ellison, MA - Is 'Focus' actually a Proxy of Success, the Realities and Strengths of ADHD

     

    The common wisdom that if we just focus or apply ourselves, is addressed in this interactive forum designed to reframe ADHD. The ability to recognize our skillsets and optimize strategies appropriate to each person with ADHD is what allows the opportunity to access success.

    In this interactive session we will look at the strengths of ADHD and work to enhance our understanding of "focus" to provide a template for positive experiences for future success.

  • Donald Maloy, MA "Tools For Success: Thoughts From a Green Beret."

     

    Captain Donald Maloy has received three Bronze Stars, a Unit Valorous Medal, and several duty awards for his service in the Army. Over the course of five years in the Infantry and the last five years in Special Forces Captain Maloy has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan serving over 32 months in a combat environment. During Captain Maloy’s career he has struggled with an LD but was able to maintain his competitive nature with the help of personal commitment, and empathy. Captain Maloy explains his strategy   toward maintaining positive self image and self esteem while in adverse conditions.

  • Michelle De Nooy, MSW LCSW, Calm in the Chaos: Stress Management for Parents of Kids with ADHD
    Michelle De Nooy

     

    Parenting a child with ADHD comes with unique challenges, and managing your own stress is key to creating a calmer home environment. In this talk, we’ll explore how stress impacts the nervous system, practical tools to regulate your own emotions, and strategies to help your child manage their stress as well. Walk away with actionable techniques to bring more balance and ease into your family’s daily life.