Why You React, Spiral, and Snap... and How to Get Back in Control with the Animals of the Brain

About this event

💻 Event Details

📅 Tuesday, December 1st | ⏰ 5:30 PM CST | 💻 Online via Zoom

💸 FREE for all Middle and High School Students and their Parents

🔗 RSVP to get your Zoom link to join

Presented by Dr. Jennifer Dilts

Ever wonder why something small can suddenly feel HUGE? Why you sometimes say something you don't mean, get stuck in a negative thought loop, freeze when you need to act, or react before you have a chance to think?

Your brain isn't trying to make life difficult (even when it feels that way!). It's actually doing a lot of things at once, and sometimes its different systems don't work together quite as smoothly as we'd like.

Join us for an interactive workshop where we'll meet the Animals of the Brain and discover what they're doing behind the scenes.

We'll explore why your brain sometimes seems to work against you, how these different systems interact, and what you can do to help yourself get back in control.

This isn't a lecture about what you should do differently. It's an opportunity to understand what's happening inside your brain, recognize your own patterns, and learn practical ways to work with your brain instead of fighting against it.

🧠 Meet the Animals Running Your Brain

🐶 The Watchdog (Amygdala) – the part of your brain that scans for danger and sometimes barks at everything.

🐘 The Elephant (Hippocampus) – the memory keeper that reminds you of every awkward moment you’ve ever had.

🦉 The Wise Owl (Prefrontal Cortex) – the decision-maker that helps you pause, think, and choose what to do next.

🐜 ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts) - persistent negative thoughts that you need to shoo away to feel and perform better.

🦊 The Fox (Reticular Activating System) - the gatekeeper of sensory information.

🐢 The Turtle (Default Mode Network) - the quiet thinker and daydreamer.

🦎 The Chameleon (anterior cingulate cortex/gyrus (ACC) ) - how your brain shifts gears and changes direction when you get stuck.

And most importantly… what to do when the dog barks so loudly that it scares away the owl, elephant, and other animals.

Who Should Attend?

✔ Middle & high school students

✔ Teens with ADHD

✔ Teens with anxiety

✔ Teens who struggle with emotional intensity

✔ Teens who want better control over reactions

No diagnosis required. Just bring your curious brain.

Why This Matters

When emotions run high it’s because your watchdog is doing its job a little too enthusiastically.

Anxiety and ADHD often go together, but everyone is at risk of their dog being overprotective and keeping the other animals from doing their dogs.

The good news?

You can train the dog.

With practice, teens can learn to:

• Pause instead of react

• Respond instead of explode

• Think clearly even when stressed

• Build confidence in handling hard moments

This class gives practical tools youth can start using immediately.

Presented by Pediatric Experts

Kristen Stuppy, MD and Jennifer Dilts, DO - Pediatricians dedicated to helping teens understand ADHD and build practical, real-world skills moderate the ADHDKCTeen group.

Dr. Jennifer Dilts is a pediatrician who loves blending science, curiosity, and whole-child care. She has extensive experience in general pediatrics and additional expertise in headache medicine, medical acupuncture, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. She has also completed advanced training in pediatric hypnosis and medical education.

She brings a thoughtful, integrative approach to helping kids understand themselves, feel better, and thrive.

Dr. Kristen Stuppy is a Kansas City area pediatrician dedicated to helping kids understand and manage their ADHD. In her clinical work she prescribes medication when needed, but she also knows that many families face real barriers to accessing therapy or coaching. By leading these monthly ADHDKC events, she creates an accessible way for middle and high schoolers to learn practical tools, build lifelong skills, and feel supported along the way.

Important Information

This session is presented by a licensed physician and is intended to provide general information, guidance, and support around ADHD-related topics. While we’ll cover helpful strategies and leave time for questions and discussion, please keep in mind that this presentation is not a substitute for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

All participants must agree to CHADD’s Participation Agreement before attending:

CHADD Participation Agreement

If you have specific concerns about your own situation or that of a loved one, we encourage you to follow up with your healthcare provider or a qualified mental health professional.

We also ask that everyone respect the privacy of others and help us maintain a supportive, inclusive space for open dialogue.