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Conference to focus on treatments for childhood mental illness
By JOHN DELLA CONTRADA
Contributing Editor
Renowned experts in the fields of childhood and adolescent mental-health problems will gather next month to discuss new and effective treatments for a wide range of mental illnesses affecting children and teens.
The fourth Biennial Niagara Conference on Evidence Based Treatments for Childhood and Adolescent Health Problems will feature presentations from leading practitioners and researchers who have studied and developed treatments for anxiety disorders, depression and bipolar disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, substance abuse and bullying, among other maladies.
In all, 19 highly respected, award-winning clinical specialists and researchers from the U.S. and Canada will present at the conference, to be held July 21-23 at Queen's Landing Inn and Conference Resort in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
"This is the leading conference in the world on evidence-based practices in child and adolescent mental health," says organizer William E. Pelham Jr., UB Distinguished Professor in the departments of Psychology, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, and a pre-eminent ADHD researcher.
"Leading scientists will present the latest information on treating children and adolescents, and attendees will leave well-equipped to work effectively with many different types of children and families."
The conference will be offered by UB and McMaster University. Featured speakers will include:
Thomas Ollendick, Distinguished Professor of Psychology and director, Child Study Center, Virginia Tech University. An expert in treatment of childhood phobias and depression, Ollendick will discuss psychosocial treatment of childhood anxiety disorders.
Debra Pepler, professor of psychology, York University. An expert in antisocial behavior of children and adolescents, Pepler will discuss school-based prevention of bullying.
Mark Wolraich, professor of pediatrics and director of the Child Study Center, University of Oklahoma. An expert on childhood ADHD, Wolraich will discuss pharmacological treatment of disruptive-behavior disorders such as ADHD.
Mary Fristad, professor of psychiatry, Ohio State University. An expert in childhood onset mood disorders, Fristad will discuss psychosocial treatment of bipolar disorder.
James Mulick, professor of pediatrics and psychology, Ohio State University. An expert on autism, Mulick will discuss psychosocial treatment of autistic spectrum disorders.
Gilbert Botvin, professor of psychology, Cornell University. An expert in tobacco, alcohol and drug abuse among adolescents, Botvin will discuss school-based substance-abuse prevention programs.
The conference is sponsored by the American Psychological Association's Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology and the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario.
According to Pelham, the conference is targeted to clinical and school psychologists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, educators, pharmacists, social workers, mental-health administrators and members of the media who cover new developments in the treatment of mental-health problems.
During conference workshops, participants will get an in-depth look at various evidence-based treatments and will be instructed on how to implement treatments and preventative programs.
Additional information about the presenters and their topics, as well as details about the Niagara conference program and registration, can be found at the conference Web site at http://www.ubevents .org/event/niagara.