Westmead Feelings Program 2

Seeing a need for an evidence-based program to support the social emotional development of children on the autism spectrum, Dr Michelle Wong embarked on a 20 year journey which included a collaboration with leaders in the field such as Dr David Dossetor, Dr Belinda Ratcliffe and Anita Gardner. The result is the award winning Westmead Feelings Program, published through the Australian Council for Educational Research.

On 23 and 24 March (Sydney), Dr Wong and Anita Gardner will be facilitating an accreditation workshop for practitioners interested in delivering Westmead Feelings Program 2: Emotion-based learning for children with autism spectrum disorder without accompanying intellectual impairment. This is the first time that this workshop will be offered and the hands-on workshop will draw on the facilitator’s 30 years of experience working with children on the autism spectrum on how to deliver Westmead Feelings Program 2. Places are limited and registrations can be made via this link:

http://createsend.com/t/r-467DBCAA752337FD2540EF23F30FEDED

Westmead Feelings Program Workshop Offer

The Children's Hospital at Westmead are excited to be delivering a two-day workshop on Westmead Feelings Program 1: emotion-based learning for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and mild Intellectual Disability on 19-20 November 2019. The interactive workshop, delivered by Westmead Feelings Program authors Dr Michelle Wong and Anita Gardner, provides gold standard learning and certification to facilitate the Westmead Feelings Program to children with autism, their parents and teachers.

Now is a good time to register as ACER are currently running two promotions for the Westmead Feelings Program: a $100 discount to celebrate the 2019 Aspect Advancement Award for the Westmead Feelings Program team, and 10% off the RRP of Westmead Feelings Program kits until 31 October 2019. This is a total savings of $190. 

To take advantage of these current offers, please click on the link below. Enter the coupon code WFPscholarship to access the $100 waitlist discount.

http://createsend.com/t/r-3AAB3BB4611452282540EF23F30FEDED

 

New e-Learning module on mental wellbeing is now available for disability professionals

 

“Supporting Good Mental Health in People with Intellectual Disability”

This  module develaims to further disability professionals’ understanding of good mental health and how to promote mental wellbeing in people with intellectual disability.

It covers topics such as:

• What is meant by good mental health and the factors that promote mental wellbeing
• What is meant by resilience and how it can be developed
• A positive psychology approach to support
• A strengths-based approach and how disability professionals can support this approach
• How good mental health is measured
• How disability professionals can maintain good mental health while supporting a person with intellectual disability

The free e-learning resource can be accessed by a quick registration at www.idhealtheducation.edu.au. 

3DN's e-learning modules have been specifically tailored to disability professionals and their unique role in providing support. Other modules available in this resource can be found here.

The e-learning site www.idhealtheducation.edu.au was launched in 2013 to educate people about intellectual disabilities and mental health. The modules have been developed by The Department of Developmental Disability Neuropsychiatry (3DN) and funded by Ageing Disability and Home Care, Family and Community Services.

Our latest journal edition is ready! Volume 10, Issue 1, 2019

Welcome to our new journal edition, Volume 10, Issue 1 for 2019. This is a fairly large edition, with many useful and informative topics including;

Some personal guidelines for prescribing for the mental health needs of children and adolescents with intellectual disability and/or autism by Dr David Dossetor

The Medicine Cabinet: Pregabalin by Judy Longworth

A Pilot study of short-term outcomes of a community based weight management program for culturally diverse children with Intellectual Disability by Helen Ho, Leah Spink, Delfa Kaabi, Pankaj Garg, Denise Campbell, Gail Tomsic, Natalie Ong and Natalie Silove

Group Stepping Stones Triple P in Schools: An Evaluation of a Parenting Program for Children with Developmental Disabilities in the School Setting by Dr Phil Ray, Dr David Dossetor, Jodie Caruana, Lisa Gomes, Hebah Saleh & Lesley Whatson

Differences in Side-effects in Autism by Dr Helen Puusepp-Benazzouz

Book Review: Girls and Autism: Educational, Family and

Personal Perspectives Reviewed by Dr David Dossetor 

We hope you enjoy this edition and welcome any feedback or contributions. Happy reading!

Children with intellectual disabilities and emotion regulation study

Mary Girgis is a psychologist attempting to better understand how children with intellectual disabilities regulate their emotions, and how emotion regulation can impact their mental health. 

This Univeristy of Technology Sydney study is currently looking to interview parents of children with an intellectual disability between the ages of 4-18, with an aim of discussing how your child regulates their emotions. All participants are reimbursed $20 Coles-Myer gift voucher for their time. There is also an opportunity for children to participate in a focus group, which will include a brief reading and language comprehension assessment.  

If you are interested in participating, please register your interest here: https://utshealth.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3kISVYyYLLYKoG9.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Mary either via email at mgpsychologylab@gmail.com or via phone on 0466971432.