ADHD & Learning Differences Program Externship
The ADHD & Learning Differences Program at Children’s National Hospital is a specialized program dedicated to engaging in innovative interdisciplinary research and training, providing high quality services for children, adolescents and families, and working with school partners and community-based organizations to improve care for ADHD. We provide outpatient services to families and children/adolescents (ages to 3-18) with neurodevelopmental disorders including ADHD and specific learning disorders, as well as behavioral, anxiety and mood disorders. The extern will spend two days per week conducting empirically-based assessment and providing individual, group and family-focused treatment services through the ADHD & Learning Differences Program at Children's National. This externship offers rich clinical and research experiences, as well as the opportunity to contribute to program development.
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Potential experiences include:
- Diagnostic evaluations and assessment of ADHD, attention, learning and/or behavioral concerns for children and adolescents, comprehensive report writing and follow-up consultation
- Parenting interventions including individual and group-based therapy programs to empower parents to effectively manage a child’s attention and behavior
- Adolescent education support for youth ages 11 to 18 years old (middle and high school) to achieve success in school by improving organization, time management and homework performance
- Family therapy with parents/caregivers and youth to receive individualized training to manage ADHD and/or behavior concerns
- Group therapy for children and adolescents to build skills and practice with their same age peers
- Frustration management to promote effective coping with frustration and negative emotions for children ages 8 to 11 years old
- Additional externship opportunities include working with youth with medical illnesses histories and complex co-occurring mental health concerns
- In addition to formal, in-person supervision, externs will also have the opportunity participate in case conferences, attend behavioral health grand rounds, pediatric grand rounds, psychiatry grand rounds and clinical seminars (depending on the day of the externship)
- Externs also be invited to attend and present at weekly clinical research seminars on ADHD and have the opportunity to participate in research projects
- Additional research opportunities may be available for interested and motivated candidates. Clinical research topics may include topics relating to ADHD and learning including school interventions and mechanisms underlying social, emotional and academic functioning, substance use and other risk behaviors. Opportunities for providing school consultation, obtaining consent/assent, and preparing presentations and manuscripts are available and encouraged.
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Formal coursework and prior direct clinical experience in child/adolescent assessment and treatment is required. Preference will be given to advanced doctoral students with a strong knowledge of psychopathology and behavioral interventions including CBT and behavioral parent training (BPT) skills.
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Two positions will be offered.
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Please email a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and two letters of reference to:
Melissa Dvorsky, Ph.D. | Email
Interested applicants should also complete this survey one time, regardless of how many externships you are applying for.
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- Children's National Takoma Theatre, 6833 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012 (Metro accessible)
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Sixteen hours per week. The specific days will be worked out to suit the extern's schedule.