2012 Speakers and Sessions
2012 Breakout Sessions
Workshop A
All Kids Like Cookies Anne Cerruto
All Kids Like Cookies is an interactive workshop that allows participants to understand that we are all different but we are all the same. Participants will look at their own challenges and strengths and what supports they need to be independent. Participants will look at and experience what it could be like as a child with a disability. In the end, participants will be able to identify how they as an individual and as part of the community can support a child and their family in living a personally valued life.
Workshop B
Exploring Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Amy Wagner, LCSW-C
This workshop will explore the history of EMDR, a brief overview of the stages of the technique, cases examples and discussion of how learning this technique will enhance therapy with trauma clients.
Workshop C
What’s Eating Your Child? The Link between Food and Behavior Lindy Ford
What children eat affects how they thrive. Parents can become nutrition detectives and help their children overcome anxiety, hyperactivity, sleep disorders and many other childhood ailments. This workshop is filled with surprising facts based on cutting-edge science.
Workshop D
Making Sense of Executive Function – Understanding How to Approach Attention, Organization, and Initiative with Children. Paula Moraine, M.Ed
Executive functions are an essential component of all learning as they are the functions of the brain that control attention and behaviors. This presentation will outline approaches to understanding and implementing a variety of skills to strengthen and enhance executive function in children of all ages.
Afternoon Sessions
Workshop E
Recognizing and Working with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Mary Cahilly, MA
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1 in 10 pregnant women drink alcohol and 40,000 babies are born each year with an FASD, or “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.” The thinking and behaviors of children and youth with FASDs often confound parents and professionals because they do not respond to typical intervention approaches. In this workshop, participants will gain an understanding of FASDs, identify resources families need, and learn effective intervention tools.
Workshop F
Caught in the Crossfire: When Animal Abuse Co-Occurs with Family Violence Allie Phillips, J.D.
Over 71 million American homes have a pet, and more children are growing up with pets than with two parents. When a child is abused, the pet may be, too. This workshop will delve into the research and theories addressing how animals and children can be caught in the cross fire of family violence and how failing to address animal abuse can contribute to continued violence in the home. Issues to be discussed include: the psychological impact of animal abuse on children, working as a multi-disciplinary team to prevent, investigate and cross-report all forms of abuse, and how child protection professionals can talk to children and incorporate questions about animals into protocols. Investigation and prosecution strategies will be discussed on dealing with crimes that involving cross-over abuse, as well as practical tips on how to help abused families with pets.
Workshop G
Navigating the Transition Years: Help for Families of Older Adolescents with Mental Health Disabilities Ann Mahling Geddes
This workshop is for caregivers of transition-age youth (16-24) who have a primary diagnosis of a mental health disorder. Topics covered will include high school transition planning, services available through the Division of Rehabilitation Services, employment and continuing education, health care, and benefits programs.
Workshop H
The Trafficking of Children in America Jeanne Allert
This session provides a harsh but real look at the second largest criminal enterprise in the world: the trafficking of human beings. Specific focus on how this crime manifests in Maryland and how it affects children and youth will be presented.
