Youth Mental Health First Aid

Youth Mental Health First Aid is a valuable program that empowers adults to support young people facing mental health challenges. By increasing awareness and providing practical skills, YMHFA contributes to early intervention and the overall mental well-being of communities.

In this webinar you will learn (Learning Objectives):

  • Mental Health Resources and Course Logistics
  • Course Overview and Importance of Support
  • Challenges and Goals of Youth Mental Health First Aid
  • Introduction to Youth Mental Health First Aid
  • What is Youth Mental Health First Aid, and many more!

About the Speaker: Dr. Andrea Matheson

Dr. Andrea Matheson is a school psychologist with experience practicing in schools and behavioral pediatric settings. In her 25 years at Heartland AEA, she has served as a school psychologist, assessment consultant, professional learning provider, and currently holds the position of an Agency-wide lead for Social Emotional Behavior Mental Health (SEBMH). Andrea is passionate about assisting schools to build multi-tiered systems of support focusing on SEBMH. She is a certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor and holds a doctoral degree in School Psychology from Iowa State University. Andrea lives in Johnston with her two teens and enjoys supporting them in their activities.

Tags:

best of the internet, developmental Disabilities, Early Intervention, Mental Health, Supporting Teens, YMHFA Training

Working With Families of Children With Developmental Delays: For Home Visitors

Home visitors play a crucial role in supporting families of children with developmental delays. By conducting early screenings, providing tailored resources, and adopting a family-centered approach, they help empower families to effectively support their child’s development.

Child development is a crucial aspect of a child’s life, and one in four children between the ages of 0 and 5 are at moderate or high risk for a developmental, behavioral, or social delay. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine developmental screening and surveillance at every well-child visit, including home visits, to identify potential developmental delays. Tracking milestones in four domains – social-emotional, cognitive, movement and physical, and language and communication – is essential to identify potential developmental delays. Protective factors, such as parental resilience, social connections, and knowledge of parenting and child development, can help support development and can be learned and developed.

In this webinar you will learn (Learning Objectives):

  • Developmental Delays and Disabilities
  • The Role of Home Visitors in Supporting Child Development
  • Working with Families of Children with Developmental Delays
  • Addressing Barriers and Providing Support
  • Accessing Services and Resources, and many more!

About the Speaker: Fran Goldfarb, MA, MCHES, CSPS

Fran Goldfarb, MA, MCHES, CSPS is excited to be joining Purchin Consulting. Fran recently retired as the Director of Community Education at the USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Research, Education and Service at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (USC UCEDD CHLA).

She served as the Family Support Discipline Director in LEND, their advanced level interdisciplinary training program. Ms. Goldfarb has a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and a master’s degree in Social Science. She is credentialed as a Master Certified Health Education Specialist.

She was also the first person in California credentialed as a Certified Family Peer Specialist. Together with her husband, she founded and facilitates the Los Angeles Asperger Syndrome Parent Support Group. Most importantly, she is the parent of an adult son with a developmental disability and other psychiatric disabilities.

Tags:

best of the internet, Child Development Resources, Developmental Delays, developmental Disabilities, Family-Centered Care, Home Visitor Support, Mental Health, Supporting Children with Disabilities

Mental Health Needs and Supports for the Entire Family of a Child with a Developmental Disability

Supporting the mental health of families with a child who has a developmental disability is crucial. Parents and siblings often experience significant emotional challenges, including stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation. Access to comprehensive mental health services and resources is essential to address these challenges effectively.

Early intervention and tailored support can significantly improve the well-being of both the child and their family members. Collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, educators, and community organizations are vital in creating a supportive environment that fosters resilience and positive outcomes for the entire family.

In this webinar you will learn (Learning Objectives):

  • Family Adjustment and Adaptation
  • Strengths and Talents of Children with Developmental Disabilities
  • Family Support and Experiences
  • Positives of Raising a Child with a Disability
  • Challenges and Family Dynamics, and many more!

About the Speaker: Dr. Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, M.D., Ph.D.

Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola is Professor of Clinical Internal Medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis. He is also Founding Director of the newly developed Center for Reducing Health Disparities at UC Davis Health System. Dr. Aguilar-Gaxiola is the on-site Principal Investigator of the Mexican American Prevalence and Services Survey (MAPSS), the largest mental health study conducted in the U.S. on Mexican Americans. He is a member of the National Advisory Mental Health Council (NAMHC), National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Tags:

best of the internet, Child Disability Resources, developmental Disabilities, Developmental Disability Support, family mental health, Family Well-Being, Mental Health, Supporting Parents and Siblings

The Anxious Generation and the Epidemic of Childhood Mental Illness

Picture of Jonathan Haidt

Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and Thomas Cooley professor in Ethical Leadership at New York University, and his latest book, “The Anxious Generation,” explores the disastrous consequences of social media on teenage mental health and the rise of political dysfunction.

The book is a call to action for what parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and government must collectively do to end the crisis, and it offers concrete suggestions for change.

Tristan Harris, co-founder and executive director of the Center for Humane Technology, emphasizes the importance of understanding perverse incentives and their impact on society, citing Charlie Munger’s statement, “If you show me the incentive, I will show you the outcome”.

Haidt notes that around 2011-2012, people were techno-optimists, believing the internet would bring about a new age of democracy, but this optimism blinded them to the potential negative effects on children

In this webinar you will learn (Learning Objectives):

  • The Shift in Childhood and Rise of Mental Health Issues
  • Social Media’s Impact on Mental Health
  • Proposed Solutions and Addressing the Harms
  • Social Media as an “Inexperience Blocker”
  • Practical Steps and Strategies for Change, and many more!

About the Speaker: Jonathan David Haidt

Jonathan David Haidt is an American social psychologist and author. He is the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at the New York University Stern School of Business. Haidt’s main areas of study are the psychology of morality and moral emotions.

Haidt’s main scientific contributions come from the psychological field of moral foundations theory, which attempts to explain the evolutionary origins of human moral reasoning on the basis of innate, gut feelings rather than logic and reason. The theory was later extended to explain the different moral reasoning and how they relate to political ideology, with different political orientations prioritizing different sets of morals. The research served as a foundation for future books on various topics.

Tags:

best of the internet, Childhood Mental Health, developmental Disabilities, Mental Health, Social Media and Teens, Supporting Anxious Generation, Teen Anxiety Epidemic, Youth Mental Health Crisis

What You should know about raising an Autistic child

Manning-Courtney’s message is one of optimism and reassurance, affirming that despite challenges, families can thrive and find fulfillment in raising an autistic child. She encourages maintaining high expectations, building supportive communities, and recognizing the unique value each child brings.

A developmental pediatrician shares her experience of evaluating 3-year-old twin boys with autism 20 years ago. The boys had limited verbal communication and were efficient at getting their needs met without adult help. The pediatrician referred the boys for additional evaluations, including speech language testing and developmental assessments.

In this webinar you will learn (Learning Objectives):

  • Expecting children to progress
  • Maintaining expectations
  • Support and understanding
  • Uncharted Territory
  • Prejudice of low expectations, and many more!

About the Speaker: Dr. Patricia M. Manning-Courtney, M.D.

Dr. Patricia M. Manning-Courtney is a pediatrician in Cincinnati, Ohio and is affiliated with Cincinnati Children’s. She received her medical degree from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years. Dr. Patricia M. Manning-Courtney accepts insurance plans – see insurance accepted below. Dr. Patricia M. Manning-Courtney is highly recommended by patients.

Tags:

Autism Support for Families, best of the internet, developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood Autism, Expectations for Autistic Kids, Mental Health, Parenting Autistic Children, Raising an Autistic Child

Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Myths, Advantages, and Simple Accommodations

Courtney Zinder is an employer branding specialist who aims to build a culture where people can bring their true selves to work, including their neurodiversity.

Taylor Heaton, a late-diagnosed autistic mom, shares her story to help develop an updated understanding of neurodiversity and how it affects individuals.

Heaton’s diagnosis changed everything for her, giving her vocabulary to describe her experiences and leading to feelings of validation, relief, and inner peace.

Neurodiversity refers to the differences among all people and how their brains work, causing them to experience and engage with the world in different ways, and is not considered a deficit or deviation.

The goal of neurodiversity is not to “fix” neurodivergent individuals to fit in with society, but to acknowledge and appreciate their unique strengths and perspectives, allowing them to contribute fully in their own way.

In this webinar you will learn (Learning Objectives):

  • Understanding Neurodiversity
  • Neurodiversity in the Workplace
  • Learning More and Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals

About the Speaker: Taylor Heaton – Mom on the Spectrum

Taylor Heaton is not a licensed psychologist or specialist healthcare professional. Her services do not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals.

At the age of 31, I finally discovered a term to help me understand my unique experience of the world: autism! My diagnosis came after years of therapy and being misdiagnosed as “anxious” and “stressed.” Now, I finally have a framework for understanding my life, and I use that knowledge to create resources for the autistic community.

Tags:

best of the internet, developmental Disabilities, Inclusive Workplace Practices, Mental Health, Neurodivergent Strengths, Neurodiversity at Work, Understanding Neurodiversity, Workplace Accommodations

Is That Clear? Effective Communication in a Neurodiverse World

Picture of Joe Butler

The book “Is That Clear?” focuses on effective communication in a neurodiverse world, particularly between autistic and non-autistic people, and is based on the concept of double empathy by Damian Milton.

Double empathy refers to the challenges both autistic and non-autistic people face in understanding each other’s communication styles, which can lead to misunderstandings.

The book was written in collaboration with autistic people and aims to help non-autistic people adapt their language to be more inclusive and clear for autistic individuals.

Autistic readers, including Dean Beadle and Erin, have praised the book for helping to flip the narrative and promote better understanding and communication between autistic and non-autistic people.

In this webinar you will learn (Learning Objectives):

  • Understanding and Adapting Language
  • Specific Communication Strategies
  • Contact and Workshop Information

About the Speaker: Joe Butler from Special Educational Needs and Disability

My name is Joe Butler (pronouns: she/her), and I’m an education consultant specialising in autism and all aspects of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) support for education, youth and adult settings. 

I have worked with children and young people in both special and mainstream schools for over twenty years. For the majority of that time I taught and led in an autism specialist school for pupils aged 4-19, latterly as head teacher.

I set up SEND Support to provide consultancy and bespoke training, promoting the highest standards in inclusive practice. I am passionate about supporting those in the neuromajority to better understand and include neurodivergent people, and to together build cultures where neurodiversity and difference are celebrated.

Tags:

Autism Communication Strategies, best of the internet, developmental Disabilities, Double Empathy, Effective Communication for Autistic People, Inclusive Language, Mental Health, Neurodiverse Communication

Hiding in Plain Sight: Girls With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Speaker Dr. Karen Barnes

Hiding in Plain Sight: Girls With Autism Spectrum Disorder

The presentation is about girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and features Dr. Karen Barnes, Dr. J. Peterson, and Natasha Lewis Harrington, who is on the autism spectrum herself.

The presentation will cover the rates of autism diagnosis between males and females, how autism presents differently in females, challenges specific to females with ASD, and strengths and supports for females with ASD.

In this webinar you will learn (Learning Objectives):

  • Diagnosis
  • How do females receive a diagnosis
  • Autism Prevalence
  • Social Camouflage
  • Masking Symptoms, and more!

About the Speaker: Karen Barnes, Ph.D. from Seattle Children’s Autism Center

Karen Barnes, Ph.D. (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides comprehensive evaluations for toddlerhood through young adulthood.

Dr. Barnes conducts psychological and learning evaluations with a focus on identifying both strengths and challenges to provide a practical roadmap of supports/intervention. She enjoys collaborating with families in a neurodiversity affirming manner to develop a framework to better understand their child’s brain style which leads to more insight and ability to advocate for their needs.

Tags:

Autism Diagnosis, Autism Masking Symptoms, Autism Prevalence in Females, best of the internet, developmental Disabilities, Female Autism Spectrum Disorder, Girls with Autism, Mental Health

Autism Spectrum Disorder in Infants and Toddlers

Speaker Katazyrna Chawarska

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how children interact with others and produces unusual behaviors, such as rigidities, repetitive motion, and stereotyped interests

It is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders, affecting one in 68 children in the general population

There are no biological markers or medical tests to determine whether a child has autism, so diagnosis is based on a close analysis of symptoms and behaviors

In this webinar you will learn (Learning Objectives):

  • Core Characteristics
  • When Does Autism Emerge
  • What Does Autism Look Like
  • Autism Siblings
  • Autism Preemies, and more!

About the Speaker: Katarzyna Chawarska, PhD, from Yale School of Medicine

Katarzyna Chawarska, PhD, specializes in child psychiatry. She is the director of the Social and Affective Neuroscience of Autism Program and the Yale Toddler Developmental Disabilities Clinic at the Yale Child Study Center.

Chawarska’s research focuses on understanding and improving treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her work explores the impact of medications on children with ASD, how early signs can predict language development, and interventions used to support children with ASD in educational settings.

Chawarski’s research has been supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Mental Health, and Autism Speaks.

Chawarska is the Emily Fraser Beede Professor of child psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine.

Tags:

Autism Diagnosis, Autism in Infants, Autism in Toddlers, best of the internet, developmental Disabilities, Early Autism Signs, Early Intervention Autism, Mental Health

What Is the Autism Spectrum?

Speaker: Hank Green

Autism spectrum disorder is estimated to affect at least one in 100 people, according to the World Health Organization, although some estimates suggest it could be twice as many

Autistic people form a diverse group, and individuals may have varying characteristics, such as communication styles, interests, and abilities

Autism affects people in different ways, and it is not a single condition, but rather a spectrum.

The understanding of autism has evolved over time, with researchers and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) updating the definition and diagnostic criteria.

In this webinar you will learn (Learning Objectives):

  • Evolution of Autism Diagnosis
  • The Autism Spectrum and Support Needs
  • Genetic Underpinnings of ASD
  • Epigenetic Factors and Autism
  • Other Potential Factors in Autism Development, and more!

About the Speaker: Hank Green from Sci Show

He’s a science communicator, video creator, and entrepreneur. In 2007, he and his brother started a video blog called Vlogbrothers that continues to this day. That year, they also created The Project for Awesome, a charity project that has raised over $10M for charities to date. In 2008, Hank launched DFTBA.com with his friend Alan Lastufka, that company now helps dozens of creators create and sell products including Nathan Zed, Kurzgesagt, and The McElroy Brothers. In 2010, Hank created VidCon, which has become the world’s largest gathering that celebrates the community, craft, and industry of online video.

VidCon was acquired by Viacom in 2018. In 2012 Hank and John launched SciShow and Crash Course and created their educational media company, Complexly, which produces content that is used in nearly every high school in America and has produced videos that have been viewed more than two billion times.

Tags:

Autism Spectrum Disorder Explained, Autism Support Needs Across the Spectrum, best of the internet, developmental Disabilities, Genetics of Autism, How Autism Is Diagnosed, Mental Health, Understanding the Autism Spectrum