Performance Fears in Grades K-12: From Selective Mutism to Social Anxiety

September 23, 2016

CORA Services
8540 Verree Road,
Philadelphia, PA 19111

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Registration for this class is closed.

Purpose: Selective mutism is currently conceptualized as an anxiety disorder, usually identified in early childhood around entry into preschool or kindergarten, though it often persists into later grades.  These children speak normally at home but do not speak in other situations where speech is expected, most typically at school with teachers, other school personnel and peers.   Selective mutism is thought to be an early and pernicious form of Social Anxiety Disorder and typically does not spontaneously remit without treatment.  It can cause serious derailment of development, with interference and functional impairments in academic achievement, social skills and social-emotional growth.  Selective mutism is a fascinating disorder that has long had a reputation as difficult-to-impossible to treat.  However, relatively simple behavioral techniques can be readily employed by school personnel to help a child begin to use speech to communicate.  This presentation will focus on typical presentations of selective mutism in school-aged children, as well as evidence-based interventions recommended by one of very few specialists for this disorder in the state of Pennsylvania.

Objectives:  As a result of this interactive workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the typical presentation of selective mutism in the school setting
  • Describe empirically supported interventions they can use with these children and recommend to teachers and parents

Intended Audience:  This program will benefit Psychologists, Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, Educators, Principals, Teachers, Graduate Students, and other practitioners within mental health and education who provide direct services and/or parent/teacher consultation for this population.

Presenter:  Katherine Dahlsgaard, Ph.D. is lead psychologist of the Anxiety Behaviors Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania and New York with expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy for children, adolescents and young adults.  She specializes in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety disorders, particularly selective mutism, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, panic disorders and generalized fears.  She is a frequent lecturer and guest speaker and has published widely in scientific journals and books on the topics of child development, psychopathology, mental health and human virtue.

Dr. Dahlsgaard completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Pennsylvania.  She did an internship at the Departments of Pediatrics and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota and a Fellowship at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University.

Schedule:

    8:30 Registration

    9:00 Conference

10:30 Break

10:45 Conference

12:45 Evaluation and conclusion

Credits Offered:

  • NBCC:                      3.5
  • Psychology Credits:  3.5
  • SW, MFT & PC:       3.5

Cost of Program:  $70.00

CORA Services

CORA is a multi-funded, community-based, non-profit agency, which offers professional services to children, youth and their families. Among the many services provided are: psychological and educational evaluations; speech and language services; individual, family, and group counseling; vocational and career counseling; remedial education; parent education; resource and referral assistance; job training and pre-employment skills.  The service approach of CORA is based upon a belief in the value of the person, and apprizing of the individual’s unique potential for growth.

www.coraservices.org

Location

CORA SERVICES
8540 Verree Road
Philadelphia, PA 19111

CORA Building offers ample parking and is wheelchair accessible.

Register Today

To pay by check, complete the registration form and submit with payment to

Ceil Hanas
CORA Services
8540 Verree Road
Philadelphia, PA   19111

Phone (215) 701-2629
Email:  chanas@coraservices.org
Fax (215) 745-9857


Continuing Education Credits

CORA Services, is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists. CORA Services maintains responsibility for the program and its content.

The PA Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors has approved the credit hours for this conference.

CORA Services has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5802.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  CORA Services is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Certificates of attendance will be awarded to participants who attend the entire workshop and complete the evaluation form.  Partial credits will not be awarded.  Late arrival or early departure will preclude awarding of CE credits.