Bill Stixrud: The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control

In this workshop, Dr. Stixrud will discuss a crucial link between high stress and low motivation, namely, a low sense of control. Topics will include fostering a strong sense of control to lower stress and build self-motivation; empowering kids to make their own decisions; the wisdom of parents being “consultants” to their kids; the benefits kids gain when parents are a non-anxious presence; and strategies for supporting kids who struggle in school without compromising their autonomy.

Dr. Stixrud is the founder of The Stixrud Group. He is also a member of the Adjunct Faculty of the Children’s National Medical Center, and he holds an appointment as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences, and Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Stixrud is a frequent lecturer, and he has published articles and book chapters on topics related to adolescent brain development, motivation, meditation, and the effects of stress and sleep deprivation on the brain. He is a long-time practitioner of Transcendental Meditation. Mr. Johnson is an author, speaker, and founder of PrepMatters, an educational company providing academic tutoring, educational planning, and standardized test preparation. He is a sought-after speaker and teen coach on study skills, sleep deprivation, parent-teen dynamics, and test anxiety, and his work is featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, BBC, and many others.