Co-presenting 2 sessions at the Rutgers 31 Annual Let’s Talk Adoption Conference on November 3, 2012. Rutgers 31 Annual Let’s Talk Adoption Conference
1:45-2:45pm
24. “Inattentiveness and Hyperactivity in Adopted and Foster Care Children;; Not All ADHD is Bouncing Off the Walls” [AF, ED, FP, HC, MP, PA, SW-2] Inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the most common behavioral problems in adopted and foster care children. The effectiveness of any preventative and/or therapeutic intervention greatly depends on accurate diagnosis of the underlying issue. A general pediatrician and a speech/language pathologist, both specializing in adoption/foster care as well as in educational issues, will discuss the multi-faceted problem in the ‘at-risk’ population, children and their caregivers. Special emphasis will be made on major medical, developmental, educational, and/or mental health causes of hyperactivity and inattentiveness in children and teenagers beyond the ADHD diagnosis, including FASD, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and other entities. Alla Gordina, MD, FAAP and Tatyana Elleseff, MA CCC-SLP (1 CEH)
3:00-4:00pm
33. “Sobering Thoughts on Attitudes Towards Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders” [AF, ED, FP, HC, MP, PA, SW-4] The group of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, affecting up to 10% of adopted and foster care children, is the single most common preventable cause of mental retardation in the United States. Yet it is one of the least diagnosed and worst managed conditions by medical, mental health and educational professionals. A general pediatrician and a speech/language pathologist, both specializing in adoption/foster care as well as in educational issues, will discuss the approaches to evaluation and management of individuals affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, as well as recommendations on local resources and advocacy strategies. Alla Gordina, MD, FAAP and Tatyana Elleseff, MA CCC-SLP (1 CEH)