Many teens struggle with schoolwork avoidance when faced with academic, social, or emotional pressures. This pattern can lead to missed opportunities, increased anxiety, and family tension. “The Great Workload Escape” explores the reasons behind avoidance behaviors in teens, helping parents gain insight into the underlying causes and broad approaches for gently guiding their children toward engagement. This 45-minute talk aims to foster empathy, provide clarity, and offer a foundation for understanding and responding to avoidance in everyday life.
Objectives:
Explore the Roots of Teen Avoidance
Help parents understand why teens avoid tasks and responsibilities, including the roles of anxiety, overwhelm, and academic difficulties.
Recognize Signs of Avoidance
Identify common patterns and behaviors that signal avoidance, empowering parents to notice and respond thoughtfully.
Offer Broad Approaches for Support
Introduce general principles and perspectives for encouraging teens to engage, while maintaining trust and connection.
With Salya Namazi, Ph.D. of The Stixrud Group
This virtual presentation is free and open to the public, but reservations are required.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Dr. Salya Namazi, a clinical neuropsychologist, is the principal owner of The Stixrud Group, a leading practice of neuropsychologists and clinical psychologists specializing in evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults with learning, attention, social, or emotional challenges. As a neurodivergent-affirming provider, Dr. Namazi is dedicated to The Stixrud Group’s mission of alleviating suffering and helping clients understand themselves to achieve greater happiness and fulfillment.
Dr. Namazi approaches each client with empathy, guided by The Stixrud Group’s principle that people are always doing the best they can. She is committed to delivering clear, actionable assessments and recommendations, and stays current with the latest research in neuropsychology. When working with minors, Dr. Namazi meets separately with each child to discuss their results, focusing on strengths and validating their experiences. She also provides personalized letters written in accessible language, designed to motivate and empower each child.
With extensive experience across the lifespan, Dr. Namazi completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in adult neuropsychology while training in pediatrics under Dr. William R. Stixrud. She is also active in research and academia, recently publishing on early autism identification. Dr. Namazi is a frequent lecturer on topics related to neuropsychology and developmental differences.