What motivated you to get involved in the special education/ADHD field?

Facing and overcoming my own learning- related issues as a child was the spark that initially fueled my desire to become an educator, so I could help kids having a hard time in school like I once did. I’ve always been interested in finding new ways to assist kids dealing with various learning challenges, but after becoming a mother and seeing firsthand how frustrating it was to access important resources to help my own children with special needs learn effectively, my mission become quite personal and I felt compelled to get more involved in this field. I took a deep dive and spent a lot of time researching everything I could find out about ADHD as I had already worked in the special education field in New York, Moscow, and Jerusalem. While children with ADHD look “typical” from the outside, I needed to first study the history of ADHD and treatment options, which then prompted me to share my learnings with a wider audience.

What prompted you to become an author and what is the focus of the two books you wrote?

Becoming an author felt like a natural next step as I had many years of experience working in clinics that taught me invaluable lessons that I knew I could pass on to other people to help them. I also wanted to create an intervention program that was accessible to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status. My first book, "HyperHealing," offers a comprehensive intervention plan for children struggling with ADHD symptoms. The second book, "HyperHealing, Show Me the Science," pinpoints the lack of information parents receive after a diagnosis, providing necessary information to empower them when making decisions about interventions and treatments to help a child with unique needs. My goal was to bridge the gap in understanding and provide accessible resources for parents to act as advocates for their children.

What is the holistic approach to ADHD treatment and how do you implement it?

My commitment to offering holistic care to children with ADHD was the catalyst to developing treatment options that consider a range of factors including sleep, screen time, trauma and communication skills. I strongly believe in analyzing the core sources of ADHD symptoms and partnering with parents to create individualized intervention plans. It’s imperative that parents are active participants who are armed with the knowledge needed to improve their children's health. When I meet a parent for the first time, we discuss things like discipline in the household, how to create a safe environment with rules, implementing daily exercise, and instilling healthy eating habits as these factors all play a huge role in the life of a child with ADHD. Once I have determined a diagnosis for a child, I work in partnership with their parents to enhance their parenting skills, improve healthy habits to benefit their entire family.

Can you describe the teacher's training program you developed and the needs it addresses?

The teacher training program I developed at the Israel-based Herzog College was designed to equip educators with a deeper understanding of ADHD and effective strategies to support their students. The program emphasizes putting ADHD students at the center of the learning experience, incorporating exercise into the classroom, and providing discipline and rewards that are tailored to the needs of these students. The aim is to work alongside teachers to create a conducive learning environment for every child, regardless of their ability.

Can you share some memorable experiences or moments from your time at Touro's Graduate School of Education?

My time as a Touro student was a transformative experience. One memorable moment was my first research paper presentation, which helped me to discover my love for public speaking. From the small class sizes and dedicated professors who truly took the time to get to know me as a person not just as a student, to my supportive classmates who provided great constructive criticism that I still think about to this day, my graduate school journey contributed to both my personal and professional growth and helped me become more confident in my teaching abilities.

Overall, my time at Touro provided me with the foundation and practical methods that I still utilize on-the-job. I will never forget learning about the teachings of Professor Forstein who advises approaching children with curiosity and a desire to understand their individual needs, which has shaped my approach to education and the intervention methods I leverage currently.

What lessons have you learned in your academic journey that would be helpful to current students?

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of taking your studies seriously and not cutting corners. As a student, you need to put in the effort to learn about a variety of subjects, develop key critical thinking skills, and resist the temptation to rely solely on technology like AI or other shortcuts. By doing the work, any student willing to work for it can become a well-rounded professional who is ready to change the educational landscape for the better.