Des Moines, IA Conference

Mental Illness in Children, with Christopher Okiishi, M.D.
Childhood is a time of many changes, challenges and, at times, confusion. This is even more so for children with psychiatric disorders. In this seminar, we will overview the most common childhood psychiatric conditions. At the end of the day, we will look at real world examples of behaviors a child may exhibit in the classroom, community or home and understand the possible mental health underpinnings of these behaviors. Dr. Okiishi will be addressing: Depression, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorders, grief, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, post-traumatic stress disorder, separation anxiety disorder, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, Tourette Syndrome, mental disabilities, learning disorders, elimination disorder, and Schizophrenia. Learning objectives for each disorder: Diagnostic strategies; symptoms and 'hallmark' behaviors; predisposing factors; co-morbid disorders and disorder comparisons; impact of symptoms on individual, family and friends; skill training for parents/teachers; statistics and prevalence of disorders; reasons to treat; how to treat, including medications, therapy and other interventions; when it gets dangerous; and things to avoid.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Building Social Relationships in Autism Spectrum Disorders, with Scott Bellini, Ph.D.
This engaging workshop will provide an overview of a social skill instructional model developed by Dr. Bellini. The workshop will provide research on social-emotional functioning as well as practical and effective strategies for teaching social interaction skills to children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). The model provides a systematic and comprehensive framework to guide parents and practitioners in the development and implementation of effective social skills programming. Learning objectives for participants: 1) Increase knowledge of social and emotional functioning 2) Increase awareness of the relationship between social skill deficits and social anxiety 3) Develop skills necessary to assess social functioning 4) Increase awareness of skill acquisition versus performance deficits 5) Increase awareness of available social skills strategies 6) Develop skills necessary to implement social skills strategies.