Tourette Syndrome and Developmental Disabilities
Presenter: Lawrence W. Brown, MD — Dr. Brown defined what Developmental Disabilities were and discussed the prevalence of them as related to Tourette. He spoke about different neurodevelopmental conditions and how they disturbed the same brain networks in the growing child disrupt the as affected in primary Tourette syndrome.
Impulse Control Problems and Tourette Syndrome
Presenter: Cathy Budman, MD — Dr. Budman discussed that people living with Tourette Syndrome often struggle with impulse control disorders. She spoke about the most common features of impulse control observed among children and adults and some treatment options along with the efficacy of those treatments.
Using Creative Arts in Therapy: Benefits of Music, Dance/Movement and Art Therapy
Presenter: Kathleen Nace, MT-BC, NMT — Ms. Nace explained how Creative Arts Therapy is used to help in reducing anxiety, as well as lifting mood, and self esteem building. She also explained how it can help with expressive language, memory, relationship development and pain management.
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors: Helping Teens and Young Adults Manage Stress and Anxiety
Presenter: Rachel Strohl, Psy.D. — Dr. Strohl discussed ways teens and young adults who have trichotillomania or other related body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) to learn to improve their management of stress and worries. She also spoke about stress management tools, such as relaxation paced breathing, sensory grounding, cognitive therapy, and
Getting Unstuck: How to Overcome Anxiety and Mood Problems with Behavioral Activation and Exposure
Presenter: Brian Chu, Ph.D. — Dr. Chu discussed Behavior Activation as a program that takes a comprehensive, and focused, approach to helping youth and families address depression and anxiety. He gave examples of how teens could use techniques to develop a more active coping approach towards life.
Treating Specific Phobias: When & How?
Presenter: Martin E. Franklin, Ph.D. — Dr. Franklin talked about the differences between phobias and age appropriate fears, such as monsters under the bed. Dr. Franklin discussed how exposure therapy is used in the treatment of specific phobias, such the fear of spiders & dogs. He discussed the process of the
Accommodations, Strategies and Techniques for Working with Students with Tourette Syndrome
Presenter: Susan Conners, MEd. — Sue Conners discussed many creative accommodations and strategies for working with children with Tourette Syndrome in the classroom and at home. Ms. Conners also include strategies for accompanying disorders such as OCD, ADHD, Executive Dysfunction. Sensory Issues, Learning Disabilities and Dysgraphia (writing deficits).
504 Accommodation Plan vs. IEP (Individualized Education Plan)
Presenter: Susan Conners, MEd. — Ms. Conners discussed the differences between the 504 and IEP plans, in order help parents and educators understand which is most appropriate for a student with TS, an associated neurological disorder or other special-needs condition. She discussed what children are eligible and why and how the
Holiday Stress: Coping Skills for Parents and Kids
Presenter: Dr. Michael Osit, LP — Dr. Osit discussed helping parents identify signs of stress in themselves and their children, causes of stress, and ways to prevent and manage Holiday related stress.
The NJCTS Tourette Syndrome Program at Rutgers University: A Model Resource for the TS Community
Presenter: Shawn Ewbank, Psy.D. — Dr. Ewbank, clinic director, explained how the NJCTS Tourette Syndrome (TS) Clinic works and the services it provides from counseling to research to training of doctoral students. Dr. Ewbank went more in depth on the treatments offered at the clinic such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, Exposure