Dr. Peter Gray, research professor of psychology at Boston College, is author of an internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook (Psychology, Worth Publishers, now in its 7th edition), which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. His recent research focuses on the roles of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his recent book,Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life (Basic Books, 2013). Dr. Gray’s keynote presentation will be “What Exactly Is Play and Why Is It Such a Powerful Vehicle for Learning?”

Kevin Ross Emery, known by many as “Dr. Kevin,” is a national expert in the ADD/HD field and recognized as an early innovator who integrated the concepts of coaching and counseling seamlessly into a single process known as synergetic catalysm. Dr. Kevin is known for viewing ADD/HD as a “gift” that is “here to broaden the bandwidth of humanity.” He is also an accomplished author as well as a regular media resource. Dr. Kevin’s keynote will be “Managing the Gift of ADD/HD Through Play and Creativity.”