• understand the concept of diagnostic overshadowing in the IDD population and the impact it has on obscuring the recognition of an accurate diagnosis or diagnoses. Cognitive and behavioral concerns common in the IDD population will be discussed. 
• identify the possibility of other common co-occurring diagnoses including, autism spectrum disorder, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), conduct disorder (CD), anxiety disorder and others.  Recognizing and addressing these co-occurring conditions is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, as untreated comorbidities can worsen outcomes
• recognize that untreated co-occurring conditions can lead to poorer long-term outcomes and can affect how a person responds to ADHD treatments.
• understand the need for a comprehensive assessment to identify all conditions, which can include ADHD symptom checklists, standardized behavior rating scales, a detailed history of past and current functioning, and information obtained from family members or significant others who know the person well.
• understand the need for a comprehensive treatment plan addressing the various aspects of the diagnoses that includes the possibility of medications, behavioral support, and family and direct support training. 
• understand the role of executive functioning that impact school or work. The components of working memory, recall, arousal, effort, and emotion control as well as the role executive functioning plays in internalizing language to control one’s behaviors and complex problem solving.

About the Presenter: Susan Scharoun

Dr. Susan Scharoun has a Ph.D. in Psychology from Syracuse University. After graduating from S.U., she received a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) post-doctoral fellowship to do brain research in the Department of Anatomy and Center for Brain Research at the University of Rochester Medical School.

Dr. Scharoun was employed by NYS Office of People with a Developmental Disability as an Associate Psychologist and Treatment Team Leader for seventeen years before becoming a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Le Moyne College, where she was the chair of the department for over a decade.

Her research interests include autism and addressing challenging behaviors with positive behavioral support. Dr. Scharoun has taught courses such as Brain and Behavior, Childhood Disorders, Human Lifespan Development, Motivation and Emotion, Personality Theory, Human Lifespan Development, The Psychology of Disabilities and Health Psychology. She is a consultant psychologist for several not-for-profit agencies that serve children and adults with developmental disabilities.

Dr. Scharoun is on the Board of Directors of ARC of Onondaga and is the co-author of the e-publication of Dual Diagnosis, A Caregiver’s Guide. Dr. Scharoun is a sibling of a person with a developmental disability and a strong advocate for families.