News

As teenagers enter high school, they face increased demands for independent academic work coupled with the need to establish new social networks. In this work, we demonstrate that youth with executive function challenges are more likely to experience a decrement in their sense of well-being upon entering high school; however, this effect is lessened if they feel connected with others (e.g., peers and family). This work, undertaken with youth residing in Waterloo Region, has just been published in the Journal of Happiness Studies.

This study presents preliminary findings on the feasibility and potential utility of an intervention for adolescents with ADHD who have challenges with executive functions (EF). This pilot included 6 teens from across Ontario who participated in an online modified version of Goal Management Training, initially developed by Dr. Brian Levine and colleagues at the Rotman Research Institute in Toronto for use with adults. Our findings show that youth who participated in most of the 6 sessions experienced success in reaching their goals, were less impaired in day-to-day life, and had some improvement in EF. This work has been published in the journal Applied Neuropsychology: Child.

Congratulations to MA student Brianna MacPherson and PhD student Fatima Wasif on their receipt of a highly competitive Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS-M and CGS-D, respectively) awarded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada! These awards are intended to support students who demonstrate high achievement and future potential in their graduate training. Way to go Brianna and Fatima!

Congratulations to doctoral student Fatima Wasif, who has been matched for an external neuropsychology practicum at Community Head Injury Resource Services (CHIRS) in Toronto. In this setting, Fatima will be extending her extant neuropsychology work with children and youth to adults who have acquired brain injuries. Congratulations Fatima!

Congratulations to our senior doctoral student, Eleenor Abraham, who has matched at the Surrey Place predoctoral residency in Toronto this year! Eleenor, we are proud of this accomplishment and wish you the very best in this next phase of your clinical training.

Congratulations to Mahsa Sadeghi, who successfully defended her doctoral work in an oral examination today. Mahsa's research consists of three studies examining the interplay of executive functions and motivation in youth, including those diagnosed with ADHD, and includes a version of Goal Management Training that was modified for use with ADHD youth online. Mahsa, the lab is very proud of this wonderful accomplishment - though we will miss you when you leave for your residency.

Congratulations to PhD student Fatima Wasif, who has matched for a part-time neuropsychology assessment practicum at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto this year. Fatima will split her time between the pediatric oncology and liver transplant rotations. Way to go Fatima!

Congratulations to our two senior doctoral students who matched at predoctoral residencies this year! Mahsa Sadeghi will be joining child and youth psychological services at Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary and Rebecca Trossman will be heading to Baycrest in Toronto to continue her clinical neuropsychology training. Way to go!!!

Congratulations to second-year MA student Fatima Wasif, who has matched for a full-time neuropsychology assessment practicum in the pediatric epilepsy program at Hamilton Health Sciences this summer. Belated congratulations also to our two senior students, Rebecca Trossman - now nearing the end of a part-time year-long practicum in neuropsychological consultation at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, and Mahsa Sadeghi - now nearing the end of a part-time year-long assessment practicum at Lutherwood Children's Mental Health Centre. Way to go students!

Congratulations to Eleenor Abraham, a PhD student in the CAN Lab who was awarded a CPA Student Reserach Grant to support her doctoral work examining the contribution of rumination, exective functions, and familial factors to depressive symptoms in youth. Way to go Eleenor!