Helping The Behaviorally Challenging Child

MANAGEMENT

CEO/Executive Director

Debra Ann Afarian, CEO

CEO/Executive Director Experience

Debra Ann Afarian works to help adults understand children with behavioral challenges through a new lens. Being CPS® Think:Kids Certified, Debra Ann receives on-going supervision from Dr. Stuart Ablon in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on Collaborative Problem Solving®. Debra Ann is the CEO/Founder of Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child (HBCC), a 501©3 in Tustin. She teaches courses, workshops, holds support groups and does presentations for parents, teachers and service providers. Since 2008, Debra Ann has regularly spoken at Parent Support Groups, CAC/SELPA Meetings, public and private school & educator conferences, as well as to students looking to enter the education or mental health fields. Debra Ann served as the Greater Orange County CHADD Chapter Coordinator for well over a decade. Since 2011 she has worked with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) to help schools recognize early onset neurologically-driven behavioral challenges in children and adolescents. She also presents her testimonial as an advocate/activist at parenting programs. Debra Ann’s life experiences, combined with certifications, education, community involvement, contact with families and professionals who utilize evidence-based methodologies, gives her a unique perspective and insight into the challenges associated with supporting children with difficult-to-manage behaviors. Debra Ann’s passion is to make sure that misconceptions and lack of treatment do not continue to be barriers to maximizing a child’s potential.

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