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

Registration Is Now Closed

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

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.

April 12th ADDventure Breakout Room Schedule

Hello All,

First I want to thank everyone for participating in our event this weekend, without your help these types of events would certainly not happen, and I appreciate all that you have done for me. I’m really happy that we are still able to offer this as a FREE event that is open to the community, and it would never happen if you all didn’t generously donate your time. Having said that, here is the overall plan for the day on Saturday.

We will begin the day with an opening by Marcus Soutra and an interactive Keynote with a Moderated Q & A session. The format will remain largely the same as it has been in years past. We will have 3 Breakout Sessions, 2 in the morning and 1 following lunch. These will begin after the keynote opening, and last until lunch at 1240, see the schedule below.

Following the opening keynote, feel free to go to the breakouts. I have allotted an hour for the lunch, time to check out the vendors, our lunchtime location will be in the commons of Ruffatto hall, same location as the keynote.

Lunch will be provided with Pizza from Anthonys Pizza…

Following Lunch, the afternoon breakout will start at 140 and last until 240. We will come together again in the afternoon at 240 to wrap up. Still have a bit of logistics to sort out but I’m pretty sure that the schedule attached will not change much, if at all.

Parking is going to be in the lot across from Ruffatto Hall in the pay lot S of Evans, there is also on street parking, however please be mindful of the 1 hour time limit on most streets immediately surrounding campus.

Please bring and or consider questions for the Q & A session with Marcus for our opening Keynote Session.

ADDventure 2025 Room Assignments and Breakout Schedule

Below you will find a list of the conference schedule with the presenter’s information as well as the room where they will be presenting.

8:45	SELECT BREAKOUTS	SIGN IN
Sign in and Registration for Breakouts

9:00 - 9:10

WELCOME

COMMONS

Nathaniel Ellison

Welcome and Thank You

9:10 - 10:30

KEYNOTE WITH Q & A

COMMONS

2025 Keynote Speaker: Marcus Soutra, founder of For The Good Consulting, supports organizations dedicated to driving systemic change for individuals furthest from opportunity.

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.

10:35 - 11:35

BREAKOUT I

ROOM #

Room # 105

Nathaniel Ellison, MA 

"The Realities of ADHD, is 'Focus' a Proxy of Success?"

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.

Room # 122

Dr. Ana Dodson, MP, PsyD

Unpacking the Overlap: ADHD and Trauma Symptoms in Children

In this session, we will dive into the overlap of ADHD and trauma symptoms and the importance of understanding the similarities and differences in the development of effective intervention strategies. Participants will experience strategies that are supportive for children who have been diagnosed with ADHD or who have experienced trauma or chronic stress. With this knowledge, parents, teachers, and mental health practitioners have a unique opportunity to develop more individualized approaches for each child. We'll explore how behaviors that appear similar may stem from different causes, highlighting the importance of a careful, differentiated diagnosis and treatment plan. This will be an informational and interactive workshop that will connect research to practice.

Dr. Ana Dodson, MA, PsyD, is a psychologist specializing in trauma-informed care and social-emotional learning (SEL). She is certified in EMDR therapy for adults and children and in the Neurosequential Model of Education developed by Dr. Bruce Perry. With a background as a school psychologist, teacher, and reading specialist, Ana focuses on translating research to practice, transferring SEL into practical but meaningful activities for the classroom. She created the Summer Mental Health Academy for Teachers and currently consults with schools and organizations on implementing trauma-informed practices. Contact her at ana@nurturingheartsandminds.com

Room # 204

Philippe Ernewein, Director of Education, Denver Academy, What’s So Funny About Peace, Love & Executive Functioning?

Too often the conversations and training in the teaching world are focused on “what” we should learn and not “how” we should learn it. Focused on how, specifically in the realm of executive functioning, this framework will add to the toolkit of support you are already doing in your classrooms.

A webpage dedicated to this presentation is here.

Room # 302

Christina Crow, Executive Functioning Specialist

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.

Room # 304

Allison Morris, U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) -Ensuring Equal Access for Students with Disabilities

Allison Morris is an attorney at OCR, a neutral investigative agency that enforces federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on disability, race, color, national origin, sex, and age in schools that receive funding from the Department. Allison earned a JD/MSW from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law and Graduate School of Social Work, respectively, and a BA from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she was a double major in Public Policy and Spanish and Hispanic Studies. Prior to joining OCR in 2015, Allison worked at an elementary school, college, and university providing various levels of support to students and staff. 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. There will be time for questions

Room # 409

Luke Pettigrew & Elisabeth Hoyen DU Eye To Eye Mentor Coordinators

DU Project Eye To Eye Mentoring Coordinators

Students will discuss the process of working as mentoring coordinators for the past few years and the impact it has had on both mentors and mentees during this interactive session.

11:40 - 12:40	BREAKOUT II	ROOM #
Room # 122 Dr. Anna Dodson, MP, PsyD Unpacking the Overlap: ADHD and Trauma Symptoms in Children In this session, we will dive into the overlap of ADHD and trauma symptoms and the importance of understanding the similarities and differences in the development of effective intervention strategies. Participants will experience strategies that are supportive for children who have been diagnosed with ADHD or who have experienced trauma or chronic stress. With this knowledge, parents, teachers, and mental health practitioners have a unique opportunity to develop more individualized approaches for each child. We'll explore how behaviors that appear similar may stem from different causes, highlighting the importance of a careful, differentiated diagnosis and treatment plan. This will be an informational and interactive workshop that will connect research to practice. Dr. Ana Dodson, MA, PsyD, is a psychologist specializing in trauma-informed care and social-emotional learning (SEL). She is certified in EMDR therapy for adults and children and in the Neurosequential Model of Education developed by Dr. Bruce Perry. With a background as a school psychologist, teacher, and reading specialist, Ana focuses on translating research to practice, transferring SEL into practical but meaningful activities for the classroom. She created the Summer Mental Health Academy for Teachers and currently consults with schools and organizations on implementing trauma-informed practices. Contact her at ana@nurturingheartsandminds.com Room # 202 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. Room # 204 Philippe Ernewein, Director of Education, Denver Academy, What’s So Funny About Peace, Love & Executive Functioning? Too often the conversations and training in the teaching world are focused on “what” we should learn and not “how” we should learn it. Focused on how, specifically in the realm of executive functioning, this framework will add to the toolkit of support you are already doing in your classrooms. A webpage dedicated to this presentation is here. Room # 304 Allison Morris, U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) -Ensuring Equal Access for Students with Disabilities Allison Morris is an attorney at OCR, a neutral investigative agency that enforces federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on disability, race, color, national origin, sex, and age in schools that receive funding from the Department. Allison earned a JD/MSW from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law and Graduate School of Social Work, respectively, and a BA from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she was a double major in Public Policy and Spanish and Hispanic Studies. Prior to joining OCR in 2015, Allison worked at an elementary school, college, and university providing various levels of support to students and staff. 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. There will be time for questions. Room # 401 Captain Donald Maloy Captain Maloy 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. Room # 408 Kendra Richard, MFA & Monterey Buchanan, MFA Best Practices: Tutoring Students with ADHD and other Learning Differences Learn some best practices, tips, and tricks for working with students with ADHD and other learning differences. Monterey has been an LEP Tutor for several years and will share from her own personal experiences working with neurodiverse students. This interactive presentation will include activities and takeaways that you can implement on your own, with your students, or tutoring programs.

12:40 - 1:40

LUNCH

COMMONS

LUNCH From Anthony’s Pizza

1:40 - 2:40

BREAKOUT III

ROOM #

Room # 202

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.

Room # 302

Christina Crow, Executive Functioning Specialist

The Answer is in the Question

How to Use Questioning to Enhance Executive Functioning

Room # 401

Captain Donald Maloy

Captain Maloy 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.

Room # 408

Kendra Richard, MFA & Monterey Buchanan, MFA

Best Practices: Tutoring Students with ADHD and other Learning Differences

Learn some best practices, tips, and tricks for working with students with ADHD and other learning differences. Monterey has been an LEP Tutor for several years and will share from her own personal experiences working with neurodiverse students. This interactive presentation will include activities and takeaways that you can implement on your own, with your students, or tutoring programs.

Room # 409

Luke Pettigrew & Elisabeth Hoyen DU Eye To Eye Mentor Coordinators

DU Project Eye To Eye Mentoring Coordinators

Students will discuss the process of working as mentoring coordinators for the past few years and the impact it has had on both mentors and mentees during this interactive session.

2:40 - 3:00

CLOSING & COLLABORATION & FEEDBACK

COMMONS

The Breakout sessions will all take place in the Katherine Ruffato Hall. The rooms that I have reserved for the day are all in the same building. The breakouts will take place in a classroom like setting in the main building where the conference is to take place.

Afternoon community gathering will be in the commons, and is largely designed for feedback, or the opportunity to connect with other folks.

Ideally, the last part of the day will serve as an informal chance for feedback and as an opportunity to get connected to presenters that you may not have been able to access during the course of the day.

Hope all is well!!

Thanks a lot for your support!!

Nathaniel Ellison Your friendly ADHD conference planner

DU Project Eye To Eye Mentoring Coordinators

Luke Pettigrew & Elisabeth Hoyen
Students will discuss the process of working as mentoring coordinators for the past few years and the impact it has had on both mentors and mentees during this interactive session.

Kendra Richard, MFA & Monterey Buchanan: Universal Design for Learning: Before, During, and After

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.
UDL: Before, During, and After" where we discuss best practices and practical applications for utilizing UDL principles and what that looks like "before, during, and after" particularly in Tutoring Appointments, but could also translate to other academic settings, student meetings, in the classroom, or other areas. This will be an interactive presentation with built in activities for applied learning and tangible tools and takeaways that can be implemented in your next tutoring session, meeting, or classroom!

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

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.

Ana Dodson, The Overlap of ADHD and Trauma Symptoms

In this session, we will dive into the overlap of ADHD and trauma symptoms and the importance of understanding the similarities and differences in the development of effective intervention strategies. Participants will experience strategies that are supportive for children who have been diagnosed with ADHD or who have experienced trauma or chronic stress. With this knowledge, parents, teachers, and mental health practitioners have a unique opportunity to develop more individualized approaches for each child. We'll explore how behaviors that appear similar may stem from different causes, highlighting the importance of a careful, differentiated diagnosis and treatment plan. This will be an informational and interactive workshop that will connect research to practice.
Dr. Ana Dodson, MA, PsyD, is a psychologist specializing in trauma-informed care and social-emotional learning (SEL). She is certified in EMDR therapy for adults and children and in the Neurosequential Model of Education developed by Dr. Bruce Perry. With a background as a school psychologist, teacher, and reading specialist, Ana focuses on translating research to practice, transferring SEL into practical but meaningful activities for the classroom. She created the Summer Mental Health Academy for Teachers and currently consults with schools and organizations on implementing trauma-informed practices. Contact her at ana@nurturingheartsandminds.com

Philippe Ernewein, Director of Education, Denver Academy, What’s So Funny About Peace, Love & Executive Functioning?

Too often the conversations and training in the teaching world are focused on “what” we should learn and not “how” we should learn it. Focused on how, specifically in the realm of executive functioning, this framework will add to the toolkit of support you are already doing in your classrooms.

A webpage dedicated to this presentation is here.