Assessment and Differential Diagnosis of Children

This four day webinar seeks to enhance the clinician's ability to diagnose child mental disorders accurately and comprehensively. We will address two major topic areas: 1) the key factors in accurate assessment, including developmental perspectives, the use of multiple data sources and standardized assessment tools; and 2) major diagnostic categories, including disruptive behavior, reactive attachment disorder and early character dysfunction in children. The workshop will include didactic presentation and case-centered group exercises. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring sample vignettes that illustrate diagnostic difficulties and puzzles. It is suggested that participants bring a copy of the DSM-5, if possible. *This is a four-part webinar, attendees must attend all four sessions to receive a certificate of completion. [Required for Child & Adolescent Mental Health Certificate Program]

Fee: $240.00
Continuing Ed. Hours (CEH): 12.00 Clinical

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Instructor: Susan Esquilin, PhD, ABPP-Clinical Dates: 2/16/23, 2/17/23, 2/23/23, 2/24/23 Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm ET Location: Zoom (Interactive Webinar) Online Live Webinar, Online, NJ

Webinar Objectives

At the conclusion of this webinar, attendees will be able to:
• List five major sources of data used in the assessment of children and a strength and weakness for each
• Explain what is meant by a neurodevelopmental disorder and the differences between intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and specific communication and learning disorders
• Describe the distinct core features of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, trauma and stressor related disorders, and somatic symptom disorders
• Distinguish the differences among bipolar disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and persistent depressive disorder

Webinar Outline

Day 1: 2/16/23
10:00 am Welcome and introduction
10:05 am Overview of Assessment Issues: clinician’s perspective, developmental stage, length of assessment
10:30 am Interview with Primary Caregiver: significance of caregiver, cultural issues; working with non-dominant groups; social identities
11:00 am Child’s History: developmental milestones, attachment and separation, medical, mental health, ACEs, education
11:30 am Context: extended family, parenting, support system, community involvements, sex and gender issues
12:00 pm Contacts with Pediatrician and School, Request for Records
12:30 pm Observation and Interview with Child, Testing

Day 2: 2/17/23
10:00 am Overview of Diagnosis: Purpose, Use of DSM-5-TR, ICD-11, WHODAS 10:45 am Formulations: Description, Vignette (Activity)
11:15 am Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Overview, Intellectual Developmental Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Specific Neurodevelopmental Disorders
12:00 pm Disorders of Eating, Elimination, and Sleep: Overview and Discussion, Vignette (Activity)

Day 3: 2/23/23
10:00 am Anxiety Disorders: Separation Anxiety Disorder, Selective Mutism, Specific Phobias, Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder
11:00 am
• Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders: Diagnoses in this category, Factitious Disorder
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as Separate Category, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and other related diagnoses in this category
11:30 am Disorders associated with pattern of insufficient care in early childhood: Reactive Attachment Disorder, Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder, Attachment Therapy Caveat
11:50 am Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders: Vignette (Audio) and Discussion, PTSD, Complex Trauma, Adjustment Disorders, Prolonged Grief Disorder
Dissociative Disorders: General discussion of dissociation, types of disorders 12:40 pm Vignette (Activity)

Day 4: 2/24/23
10:00 am Depressive Disorders: Major Depressive Disorder, Specifiers, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Suicidality
10:45 am Disorders with Mood Shifts: Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Manic and Hypomanic Episodes, Bipolar Disorders, Cyclothymic Disorder
11: 30 am Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders: Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Vignette (Activity)
12:30 pm Gender Dysphoria in Children
12:45 pm Psychotic Disorders, Hallucinations
12:55 pm Conclusion/Q&A

Target Audience

Social Workers and Allied Health Professionals

Content Level

Beginner - Intermediate

Webinar Completion Requirements

To earn CE credit, social workers must log in at the scheduled time, attend the entire course and complete an online course evaluation. Certificates of completion will be emailed within 10 business days of course completion.

System Requirements

• Operating Systems: Windows XP or higher, MacOS 9 or higher, Android 4.0 or higher
• Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 9.0 or higher, Google Chrome, Firefox 10.0 or higher
• Broadband Internet connection: Cable, High-speed DSL & any other medium that is internet accessible.

About the Instructor

Susan Esquilin, PhD, ABPP-Clinical, is a licensed psychologist, trained in developmental and clinical psychology at the University of Chicago, with a diplomate in clinical psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. She has served on the faculties of Montclair State, Rutgers, and University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ. Dr. Esquilin has testified as an expert in criminal, family court, and civil matters. She was part of a faculty that developed and taught a decade-long course sponsored by Rutgers School of Social Work and the NJ Department of Children and Families that trained psychologists and psychiatrists to function as expert evaluators in child protection matters. Dr. Esquilin has presented at both state and national conferences, and regularly teaches continuing education programs at Rutgers School of Social Work, for the NJ Children’s System of Care through University Behavioral HealthCare in NJ, and for Court Appointed Special Advocates in Essex County. Dr. Esquilin serves on the Model Court Committee in Essex County and is a member of the Equity and Fairness as well as the Child Well-Being Subcommittees. In the NJ Psychological Association (NJPA), she currently as the co-chair of the Immigration Emergency Action Group, and she is President of the Essex-Union County Association of Psychologists. NJPA recognized Dr. Esquilin as New Jersey Psychologist of the Year for 2017 and awarded her its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.