Professional Development

Workshops & Presentations for Schools, Clinicians, and Businesses

As a long-time workshop presenter, I visit schools, businesses, universities, conference sites, speaking venues and more to deliver presentations for groups.  I am often hired by HR professionals or event planners and my work is requested by academic institutions and mental health or education professionals as well.

Below you will find a small sample of the presentations I regularly offer as workshops. All workshops are tailored to the audience and if you want me to present, I will spend a little time with you understanding the audience and their needs so we put together the best workshop for your group.

I am always open to new ideas and brainstorming. Including custom talks and workshops.

Please explore what’s below and when you’re ready, contact me to discuss one-on-one what you need and your budget. Together, we’ll create something magical for your group.

When Worrying Takes Over: Helping neurodiverse learners overcome anxiety and build resilience in an age of uncertainty

Living in a world that’s increasingly unpredictable, today’s kids are more anxious than ever before. In this presentation, I dive into the grip of anxiety and what you can do to help reduce worries in neurodiverse students of all ages.

After reviewing how anxiety works, I will show you how to help your students change their relationship to worry, realistically evaluate situations and calm themselves down. You’ll learn easy, effective tools to help these young people worry less and feel more confident.

“Every time Dr. Saline speaks at one of our conferences, she fulfills my expectations and then some.”

Building Better Brains: How to improve executive functioning skills in neurodiverse learners

In this dynamic and interactive workshop designed for teachers, administrators and school personnel, participants will learn concrete strategies to meet different learners and thinkers where they are.

With current research on the developing brain and real-life case examples, I will lead you through the “how and why” of executive functioning skills, going in-depth with your audience to understand the various learning processes for all students.

This workshop includes discussion on innovative tools to improve focus, organization, planning and motivation will also be covered. Exercises designed to improve participants’ understanding of living with learning differences, teaching students with these challenges and brainstorming about specific classroom challenges are threaded throughout the workshop. You will leave this workshop with practical, tangible strategies for identifying and nurturing cognitive strengths in all students.

“I enjoyed Sharon’s faculty workshop on teenage brains and improving executive functioning skills in our students. It was very informative and was presented, as usual, with humor and energy. She is clearly interested in kids and how they learn, and she knows her stuff. Teachers walked away with take-home points they could use immediately. Sharon is a tremendous resource.”

Confident and Curious: Innovative interventions and effective social-emotional support for neurodiverse students

For neurodiverse children and teens with ADHD, LD, ASD or more, the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the academic and social-emotional challenges they already face. With increased academic and social anxiety, there are greater risks for depression and higher incidents of family conflict, parental stress and teacher frustration.

As a veteran psychologist and author, I offer you practical, collaborative tools for addressing and supporting the educational and mental health concerns of creative, yet heterogeneous, learners in an unusual school environment that’s filled with novel transitions and uncomfortable change.

“Working with Dr. Saline was so worthwhile for all of us in Northampton schools. Dr. Saline has a deep insight into the challenges facing children and families when there are struggles in school and a wonderfully compassionate and direct approach in facilitating successful interventions. Always available to the faculty, she offered a range of trainings and professional development experiences that improved our response to mental health issues for children and adolescents. Teachers appreciated her expertise, clarity, and sense of humor. They took away many specific strategies and plans that were immediately useful. We are so fortunate to have her as a local resource.”

You’ve Got This: Motivating neurodiverse students for all types of learning environments

Do you know children and teens with ADHD, ASD or learning disabilities who have a tough time starting and completing things they have to do? Are you wondering about how these students will fare as we blend in-person and online education? Successfully motivating and supporting these students in learning relies on a strength-based collaborative approach that includes them in creating solutions to academic challenges.

In this workshop I explore the challenges of teaching neurodiverse students and the strategies to offer effective support for their unique brains and learning styles. You’ll gain tools for helping young people from kindergarten to post-secondary school develop personal accountability, stronger executive functioning skills and increased levels of independence.

“Sharon Saline’s trainings have the perfect combination of expertise and a compassionate, caring approach that reassures and informs teachers and administrators. She has generously shared her vast knowledge of ADHD, child development and behavioral issues with our faculty. In doing so, she has reassured them, encouraged them, and given them hope as well as many useful interventions.”

What Kids with ADHD Wish You Knew and How You Can Help: Understanding ADHD and executive functioning in children and teens

This training provides clinicians with the tools they need to work comfortably and competently with children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and their families.

After reviewing biological, psychological and social factors related to ADHD and common coexisting mental health issues, I share innovative, strength-based strategies to teach much-needed executive functioning skills and reduce conflict between kids and parents. Along with the material, I also integrate opinions and reflections from children and teens with ADHD about what pulls them through. This presentation is both didactic and experiential in nature.

“I would highly recommend Dr. Sharon Saline as a speaker. She presented to our clinical staff on the topic of ADHD and disorders of executive functioning. She was well-organized and demonstrated a breadth of knowledge about her topics. While she conveyed confidence in her work, she did not present herself as sole expert. Instead, she presented with collegiality, encouraging us to interact with her, ask questions and make suggestions.”

Are you interested in a different topic? Want to explore working together?
Please contact me to discuss your vision and ideas.

Additional Praise from Educators,  Clinicians & Professionals On Working With Dr. Sharon Saline

“Dr. Saline gave me what I needed to plan for next school year and to return to fight the battles I have fought for years on behalf of children and families. What she does is so meaningful and helpful. I believe in empowering parents to fight for their children by giving them information and sending them to sources of information. In one day, Dr. Saline gave me many insights and tools to do this.”

“Dr. Saline’s “Dr. Saline shared a thorough overview of adolescence which connected brain development to environmental, social and emotional development. She’s an engaging instructor who used videos, breakout sessions and relevant slides to teach. She facilitated engaging discussions, used humor and kept a steady, quick pace. I learned a lot and the time flew by! It was so great to attend a workshop that delivered what it said it would.”