Debra Ann is dedicated to tirelessly spreading the good news that Amazing Things Can Happen (both in schools and at home) When We Rethink Challenging Children.  She presents Collaborative Problem Solving to those interested in helping children with challenges, including school in-services, social worker & intern training sessions, support groups, and parenting programs.

Debra Ann's experience includes presenting “Helping the Behaviorally Challenging Child” 6-week class series at United Cerebral Palsy in Irvine, California. Facilitator of the Greater Orange County CHADD Chapter for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other co-morbid challenges. Teaching Critical Skills to students in a pull-out program at a private Jr. High school in Orange, California where she works closely with them, their parents and teachers to see that their challenges are understood. 

Debra Ann has acquired her extensive knowledge attending numerous workshops, seminars and trainings from top professionals in the field of treating children on the spectrum.  She has read countless books in understanding solving problems that face children on the spectrum.  Most importantly, she has lived in the trenches with her own child and has found solutions that work!

Collaborative Problem Solving helps children with a wide range of learning differences, including, but not limited to: Asperger’s, Intermittent Explosive Rage, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Bi-polar, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, ADHD, ADD, General Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Autism, etc.  All children benefit from Collaborative Problem Solving, but the focus is on helping challenging children reach their maximum potential.

Debra Ann’s life experiences combined with education, community involvement and contact with families and other professionals who follow science-based practices, gives her a unique perspective and insight into the challenges faced helping challenging children. Debra Ann’s passion is to make sure that no other parent feels the isolation, misconceptions and lack of direction that can come with raising a challenging child.

Debra Ann Afarian lives in Southern California with her husband and two sons.  She developed a passion for learning more about children on the spectrum when her oldest son was diagnosed with an alphabet soup mixture of challenges, as he did not meet many of the “behavioral” milestones at certain ages.  Although a smart student scoring in the 99th percentile on standardized tests, he was always challenged doing homework and displaying disruptive, challenging behaviors. 

Meeting the daily demands of life became a constant struggle. His self-esteem lowered because he was misunderstood and the stress level in their home rose.  What to do?  In her desperate search to understand her son so they could parent him effectively, Debra Ann found “The Explosive Child” by Dr. Ross Greene and “Treating the Explosive Child” by Dr. Stuart Ablon & Dr. Ross Greene.  

When she and her husband started to implement the Collaborative Problem Solving method, AMAZING things began to happen. Pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place and peace was restored in their home allowing them to truly help their son find his way.

Today, Debra Ann presents Collaborative Problem Solving classes as a way to let other parents know that they are not alone in their struggles and there is another way to deal with challenging children when conventional punishments and rewards fail to produce durable results.  She also finds teaching the classes and meeting other families with similar struggles therapeutic and rewarding.