ADHD & Dyslexia with Dr. Leslie Hawkins
Listen to MindWell Psychology’s Dr. Leslie Hawkins discuss ADHD & Dyslexia on the podcast
More Than Words: Treating the Whole Child
Contact MindWell today to get information about scheduling a talk.
The Power of Structure & Movement for Kids with ADHD with Dr. Lisa Bennett
• 19th November, 2025
Is School Harder Than It Should Be? A Psychologist Explains When Testing Can Help
• In this conversation, Ann Dolin, M.Ed., Founder of Educational Connections Tutoring sits down with Dr. Rachna Varia, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist at MindWell Psychology, to demystify the testing process. Together, they explain what testing looks for, how it works, and how it can uncover the root causes of a child’s academic challenges.
October, 2025
Understanding the Phonological and Orthographic Underpinnings of Dyslexia: Dyslexia Testing
• Decoding Dyslexia, Fairfax, November, 2019
Psychoeducational Testing: Understanding Results and Seeking Accommodations
• Future Quest, George Mason University, October, 2019
Promoting Grit but not Grind
• Auburn School, October, 2019
Understanding stress and anxiety in the classroom
• St. Joe’s Catholic School, Teacher training, October, 2019
Promoting Grit in your teenage daughter
• National Charity League, September, 2019
Understanding Orthographic Dyslexia
• Fairfax County Public Schools, School Psychologist In-Service Training
Understanding Dyslexia Testing
• Dyslexia Edge Conference, March, 2019
Understanding Dyslexia Testing in the Context of a Full Learning Profile
• Sliding Doors Saturday Science Event, December, 2018
Motivation Meltdown: When parents care but kids don’t.
• Webinar hosted by Educational Connection with guest speaker, Dr. Rachna Varia
March, 2018
What to look for in testing for Dyslexia
• Decoding Dyslexia, Loudoun Chapter, May, 2018
Red Flags for Dyslexia
• Green Hedges School Staff, April, 2018
Red Flags for Dyslexia
• Auburn School Staff, February, 2018
Promoting Grit, Motivation, and Engaged Learning
• Parent Group, Nysmith School for the Gifted, February, 2018
Transitioning from High School to College: Recommendations, Strategies, and Accommodations
• Future Quest, George Mason University, December, 2017
Understanding Testing Results
• Rivendell School Staff, November, 2017
A Circle Of Support
• Resource Fair, Conference for Families of Children with Special Needs
• The ARC of Greater Prince William, November, 2017
Understanding Testing Results
• National Reconnaissance Office, November, 2017
Decoding Dyslexia 5K Race
• Fun Mile Sponsor, October, 2017
Navigating the Path to Student Wellness
• Resource and Vendor Fair, Loudoun County Public Schools, October, 2017
Grit: Promoting Engaged Learning in our Students
• Presented for Alexandria City Public Schools Parents Association, October, 2017
Dyslexia Round Table
• Haymarket Decoding Dyslexia Meeting, October, 2017
• Presented for rheumatology staff and patients at Children’s Hospital, April, 2017
• Presented at Commonwealth Academy, International Dyslexia Association, DC Chapter: Next Steps, March, 2017
• Presented at the Academic Language Therapy Association, March 2017
• Presented for staff at Oakwood School, February, 2017
• Presented at Madison High School, February, 2017
• Presented for the staff at McLean Country Day School, February, 2017
• Presented for Mosby Wood Elementary School PTA, February, 2017
• Presented for Parents at Auburn School, February, 2017
Executive Functioning – Strategies for Supporting Your Student
• LCPS Special Education Advisory Committee, November, 2016
• Presented for Parents at Next Steps: A Dyslexia Family Networking Forum, Lab School
• Webinar for Parent Educational Advocacy Center (PEATC)
• Presented at Decoding Dyslexia Parent Group – Fairfax Chapter
• Presented to the staff at Auburn School
• Presented at Decoding Dyslexia Parent Group – Loudoun Chapter
Promoting Grit and Executive Functioning
• Presented for the PTO, Green Hedges School, February, 2016
• Presented for the PTO, St. Andrews School, February, 2016
• Presented for Decoding Dyslexia, Loudoun, February, 2016
• Presented to Decoding Dyslexia-Virginia Parent Group, October, 2015
• Presented for the Field School, admissions departments, October, 2015
Your Child’s Mind: Promoting Grit, Motivation, and Engaged Learning
• Commonwealth Academy, October 2015
Behavioral Management in the classroom
• Presented to staff at Reston Montessori School, August, 2-15
Your Child’s Mind: Promoting Grit, Motivation, and Engaged Learning
• March 9th@6 PM at St. Veronica’s School and March 18th@7 for Oakton pyramid schools
• Presented for Flint Hill School counseling, learning specialists, and admissions departments, Feb, 2015
• Presented at St. Veronica’s Catholic School, 2014
Your Child’s Mind: Promoting Grit, Motivation, and Executive Functioning
• Presented at Oakwood School, 2014, Presented at Congressional Schools, 2014
• Presented at Nysmith School, 2014
Helping Your Child Manage Stress and Anxiety
• Presented at Auburn School, 2014
Understanding Dyslexia
• Presented at Virginia Chapter of Decoding Dyslexia Parent Support Group
Apsergers Disorder
• Presented at Auburn School
Learning Disabilities and Accommodations
• Presented at CHADD conference
Your Child’s Learning Style
• Presented At Fairfax County Public Elementary Schools
Behavioral Modification in the Classroom
• Presented at Montessori Schools in Fairfax and Loudoun County for Teachers
Siblings of Children with Special Needs
• Presented At Auburn School
How to understand Psychoeducational/Neuropsychological testing
• Presented for Flint Hill Learning Center Staff
Grief Process Groups
• At Middleburg Academy
Red Flags for Learning and Attentional Disabilities
• Presented at The Green Hedges School
Managing Challenging Behavior: Evidence Based Practices
• Staff training for Social Workers, Chantilly Virginia
Feedback from Attendees at MindWell Presentations
“I was also very pleased with the turn out last night! Good group of parents and all were very appreciative of you coming out and presenting."
“I was also very pleased with the turn out last night! Good group of parents and all were very appreciative of you coming out and presenting."
“Thank you so much for your time this morning. My team can't stop raving about how helpful your presentation was (and I agree!). Thanks again.”
“Thank you so much for your time this morning. My team can't stop raving about how helpful your presentation was (and I agree!). Thanks again.”
“They were very positive about your presentation and felt that it reinforced what they knew and gave them new information to work with their child at home.”
“They were very positive about your presentation and felt that it reinforced what they knew and gave them new information to work with their child at home.”
“Thanks so much for the presentation . . . it was perfect and seemed very well received”
“Thanks so much for the presentation . . . it was perfect and seemed very well received”
“Inspiring!”
“Inspiring!”
“The evaluations said it all, parents were thrilled . . .”
“The evaluations said it all, parents were thrilled . . .”
“Thank you so much!! You were fantastic . . . great presentation.”
“Thank you so much!! You were fantastic . . . great presentation.”
"Your presentation on children’s learning styles at our January PTA meeting was very informative and helpful to parents. As you could tell, we had a huge turnout.”
"Your presentation on children’s learning styles at our January PTA meeting was very informative and helpful to parents. As you could tell, we had a huge turnout.”
"I was really taken by your talk about grit and motivation for our children. I find your methods very helpful in teaching my kids grit and thinking for themselves. Thank you so much!"
"I was really taken by your talk about grit and motivation for our children. I find your methods very helpful in teaching my kids grit and thinking for themselves. Thank you so much!"
“I loved the talk, I will have you on my shoulder when I am doing homework with my kids, so much great guidance.”.
“I loved the talk, I will have you on my shoulder when I am doing homework with my kids, so much great guidance.”.
“We appreciated your thorough intake and review of our daughter’s past experiences and assessments, as well as your inclusion of us in your thinking process of what assessments to administer. We w...Read More
“We appreciated your thorough intake and review of our daughter’s past experiences and assessments, as well as your inclusion of us in your thinking process of what assessments to administer. We were especially pleased with how well you connected with her, making her comfortable and able to show you her best skills. Given her very reserved, shy nature this was of critical importance. It was important to us that you did all of the assessment yourself and that you scheduled additional sessions as needed to accommodate her attention and stamina. We also appreciated your prompt feedback, in-depth interpretation of the results and that most of the report was detailed recommendations with references and even suggested referrals to specialists in the area. Your assessment was critical in our understanding of our daughter’s true strengths and needs and in facilitating finding the educational and remedial programs that are right for her. Your phone contact with the director of a potential school placement helped us to choose the school our daughter is now thriving in.”