About Us
What we do, Who we are, Why we do it
Our team believes in a creative approach to helping kids and their families work to maximize ADHD strengths to move forward in the world with confidence!
Meet Donna
Our founder and director!
Donna is a professional working in the field and was diagnosed with ADHD at age 43. Donna has been an SLP for over 28 years and has also become ADHD coach. Donna works both professionally with ADHD and lives it on a day-to-day basis.
She has founded two multi-disciplinary private practices: Vancouver Language Therapy 4 Kids and Therapy 4 Kids Okanagan. Her approach is based on a strong foundation in neuroscience and years of experience in Trauma-Informed Practice and ADHD/ASD.
Donna has additional training in the following areas:
Ecotherapy Training (how to maximize using nature therapeutically)
Sensory smart strategies for children with Sensory Processing Disorder
Movement for self-regulation
Proactive and prosocial support for challenging behaviour associated with Tourette’s and Co-occurring conditions
Degree in Psychology from Trent University
Masters of Science Degree in Speech Sciences from UBC
28 years of clinical practice as a Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Director
Contact Us
You can reach us by email anytime, or follow us over on Instagram to stay connected with valuable content daily!
/adhd_understood
team@adhd-understood.com
Meet The Team
Samuel Zattera
Speech Language Pathologist
Sam joined us from the University of Alberta in 2024. Originally from Minnesota, he’s since lived in BC, Ontario, and Alberta. Most recently, he’s been in Victoria supporting children ages 3 -19 alongside a team of occupational therapists, behavioural interventionists and, of course, speech language pathologists. Sam is interested in working with clients of any age and committed to customizing his approach to affirm their experience. He’s an adamant believer in the kind of client centered therapy that encourages interests, strengths and personality to flourish.
Prior to pursuing speech language pathology, Sam was supporting hard-of-hearing clients within an audiology clinic and assisting in the research of cross-cultural language change and an AI for supporting medical diagnoses. Now, he spends any time outside session finding new routes to run and new trails to hike.
Education
Sam received his B.A in Speech Sciences from the University of British Columbia in 2020.
Sam received his MSc in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Alberta in 2024.
Brett Needham
Kinesiologist & Transdisciplinary Therapist
Brett was born and raised in Penticton B.C and moved to Calgary Alberta where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Calgary in 2019. Brett is a registered Kinesiologist and is provincially licensed by the BC Association of Kinesiologists (BCAK).
Brett brings a breadth of experience with neurodiversity and a particular interest in trauma informed care to her work with children. Brett enjoys being a part of a multidisciplinary team, and wants the opportunity in her career to help individuals reach their full potential, helping them achieve confidence and independence in their own lives.
In her spare time, Brett enjoys exploring the outdoors, hiking, travelling, and spending time with her family and friends.
Rob Giachino
Occupational Therapist
Rob has been an occupational therapist for 21 years. He has experience working within the age ranges of preschoolers up to adults. He has training working with kids and adults with Sensory Processing Disorders, anxiety, and Neurodiversity. Rob is also the founder of Emerge OT, an Occupational Therapy & Kinesiology private practice located in the Okanagan.
Rob has additional training in the following areas:
Bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy
Certified in the PEERS® Curriculum for School Based Professionals: Social Skills Training for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Certified in Learning Without Tears
Experience in working with social and emotional learning goals.
Our Goal for ADHD Understood
We want ADHD Understood to be an accessible resource for ADHD individuals and their families. Our I’M ME program is a dynamic program that can be as self-directed or intensive as you’d like with the goal of helping children and teens as well as their families understand ADHD, maximize the strengths that come with ADHD, manage the challenge of living in a neurotypical world, and be willing to explore a whole world of options out there to help us thrive.