Asperger's Association of New England
in Partnership with MGH Aspire and Families for Depression Awareness
presents

A Conversation About
Asperger Syndrome and Depression  

March 14, 2014
Pine Manor College ~ Ellsworth Theatre
Chestnut Hill, MA

Speakers

Jean Frazier, MD
Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at UMass Medical School

 Mitch Abblett, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Jessica Minahan, MEd, BCBA
Behavior Analyst/Public School Consultant

Plus:
First-person presentations by adults with Asperger Syndrome (AS) and family members of children and adults sharing their experiences with AS/related conditions and depression.

AANE, MGH/Aspire, and Families for Depression Awareness have combined resources to address a poorly understood aspect of living with Asperger Syndrome (AS). The conference will focus on the intersection of AS and depression. Topics will include how to recognize signs of depression in those with AS; how AS and depression interact and influence one another; and approaches to intervention and treatment.

This conference is intended primarily for professionals in the fields of education, mental health, and social services. Adults with AS and family members are also very welcome. 

Conference Fees: professional:125.00 (includes CEUs); nonprofessional: $90.00; additional family member: $50.00. Fee includes coffee and pastries at check-in and box lunch.   
 

Conference Schedule
8:30 - 8:45 a.m.	Check-in, coffee, and networking
8:45 - 9:00 a.m.	Welcome
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.	Asperger Syndrome & Depression—Jean Frazier, MD
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.	Break
10:45 - 11:55 a.m.	Asperger Syndrome & Depression, cont.—Jean Frazier, MD
11:55 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.	Mindfulness, Awareness, and the Family Dynamic—Mitch Abblett, PhD
11:00 - 2:00 p.m.	Lunch
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.	Teaching & Understanding Students with Asperger Syndrome & Depression Jessica Minahan, MEd, BCBA
3:30 - 4:45 p.m.	Approaches to Intervention & Treatment—Jean Frazier, MD
4:45 p.m.	Conference ends. If you are receiving continuing education credits, you must pick them up in person at this time.

 

About the Speakers

Jean A. Frazier, MD, is the Robert M. and Shirley S. Siff Chair in Autism, Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, and Co-Director of the Child and Adolescent NeuroDevelopment Initiative (CANDI) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS). She is also Vice Chair and Director of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at UMMS and UMass Memorial Medical Center, and Medical Director of the Center of Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CANDO), which was formed in June 2013. Disclosure:  Financial—Dr. Frazier serves on the data safety monitoring board for a clinical trial for Forest Pharmaceuticals. She receives grants from GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Neuren, Roche, and Seaside Pharmaceuticals. Nonfinancial—No existing nonfinancial relationships.

Mitch Abblett, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and Clinical Director of the Manville School, a therapeutic day school in Boston serving children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral and learning difficulties. He maintains a private practice and is the author of several papers on youth mental health needs as well as the book The Heat of the Moment in Treatment: Mindful Management of Difficult Clients (Norton, 2013). He conducts national/international trainings on mindfulness and its applications. Disclosure:  Financial—Dr. Abblett receives a fee for speaking. Nonfinancial—No existing nonfinancial relationships.

Jessica Minahan, MEd, BCBA, is a board certified behavior analyst and special educator and Director of Behavioral Services at NESCA–Newton, MA, as well as a school consultant to clients nationwide (www.jessicaminahan.com). She is also co-author of The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students, with Nancy Rappaport (Harvard Education Press, 2012). Disclosure:  Financial—Ms. Minahan receives a fee for speaking. Nonfinancial—No existing nonfinancial relationships. 

Continuing Education Credits
To receive continuing education (CE) credits, you must register for the conference at the professional rate. If you request CE credits at conference check-out but did not register for the conference at the professional rate, the CE fee due at check-out is $15. You must attend the full day’s program and check out in person at the end of the day to receive credits. No credits/partial credits/certificates will be given if you need to leave early for any reason. Requests for credits/certificates will not be accepted after the conference ends, including if you forget to pick them up. Grievances: Call AANE after the conference to resolve concerns.

APA: Psychologists (American Psychological Association)              6 CE credits   
Child & Family Psychological Services, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Child & Family Psychological Services, Inc. (www.CFPSYCH.org) maintains responsibility for the program and its content.

ASHA: Speech-Language Pathologists (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) 
0.60 ASHA CEUs (introductory level; professional area)

MaMHCA/MMCEP: Licensed Mental Health Counselors (Massachusetts Association of Mental Health Counselors)       6 CE credits   

NASW: Social Workers (National Association of Social Workers):  
6 Category 1 continuing education hours   

A general Certificate of Attendance is also available: 6 contact hours

Advertising Opportunity for Product/Service Providers
Do you have a product or service of interest to the Asperger community? Would you like to reach a targeted audience of up to 400 adults with AS/related conditions, parents, and professionals? We are offering space on our conference literature display table for your company/organization brochure. Asperger and/or Depression-related products/services are especially encouraged but all are welcome. Important: Literature must be compatible with the sponsor's ethical and theoretical standards. The sponsors reserve the right to reject any advertising if deemed incompatible for any reason.

Fee: $35 per 8-1/2 x 11 inch space on the table; one type of brochure per 8-1/2 x 11 inch space; 150 piece maximum.

Deadline: Registration, payment, and materials must be received in the AANE office by March 6, 2014.  Register online by clicking the Register Now! button below.

Please note: AANE/MGH Aspire/Families for Depression Awareness cannot return materials left over after the conference ends.

Additional Information

Refund policy:
Refunds, minus a $25 processing fee per person, are available until March 7, 2014; no refunds after March 7. No refunds/credits for no-shows.

Financial Assistance:
If you are a parent or an adult with AS/related condition who needs financial assistance to attend this conference, funding may be available from your state’s Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC). In Massachusetts call (617) 770-7676, ext. 115. Residents in other states should check www.nacdd.org for financial aid. Apply for funding as soon as possible as funds are limited. You must pay your conference registration fee up front to AANE. If approved, the Council will reimburse you. If you are unable to access money through the DDC, please call AANE at (617)393-3824, ext. 10, to discuss financial aid options.

Register Now! Please note that you do not need a PayPal Account to register. When you get to the registration page, complete the registrant information and then click the "Check Out with PayPal" link at the bottom. This will take you to another page where you can enter your credit card information.