Nebraska Psychological Association
2024 Fall Conference
“Autism and ADHD Assessments for Youth and Adults”
Friday, Nov. 1, 2024
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Central
Hybrid event – Scott Conference Center (Omaha)
and via Zoom
Watch for registration opening soon!
Morning Presentation – Whitney Strong-Bak, PhD
Autism Spectrum Disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopmental issues of childhood, with 1 in 34 children receiving a diagnosis by age 8. The goal of this presentation is to build capacity within the workforce to provide diagnostic assessments and build confidence with applying DSM-5 criteria with cases involving various medical complexities. This talk will review developmental milestones in early childhood and common early characteristics of ASD using discussion and video illustrations. We will briefly review common diagnostic tools used as part of a comprehensive evaluation and discuss impacts of common co-occurring issues that can complicate the diagnostic process. Additionally, a framework for considering the impact of medical complexities on the diagnostic process will be discussed.
Afternoon Presentation – Lisa Neitzke, PhD, BCBA
This presentation will focus on practical insights to enhance diagnostic proficiency in evaluating adults for adult neurodevelopmental disorders. Differential diagnosis between autism spectrum disorders (ASD), ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and other mental health disorders in adults will be discussed. We will discuss how to effectively select evidence-based diagnostic tools, hone clinical interviewing skills tailored for adult ASD and ADHD assessments, and navigate gender and cultural variations in evaluation processes for culturally competent assessments.
Registration:
In-Person in Omaha:
NPA Member - $160
General Registration - $205
Student/Intern - $25
Virtual via Zoom:
NPA Member - $170
General Registration - $215
Student/Intern - $25
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Increase knowledge of diagnostic tools used in comprehensive evaluation of ASD;
- Increase knowledge of common co-occurring concerns and their impact on assessment;
- Understand diagnostic foreshadowing in medically complex individuals;
- Build tool kit for promoting positive long-term outcomes;
- Differentiate between autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and other mental health disorders in adults through an understanding of key diagnostic criteria and presenting symptoms;
- Utilize evidence-based diagnostic tools effectively to assess autism spectrum disorder and ADHD in adults.;
- Demonstrate proficient clinical interviewing skills tailored for the assessment of autism and/or ADHD in adults;
- dentify and navigate gender and cultural variations in the evaluation process for autism and/or ADHD in adults, ensuring culturally competent and sensitive assessments
Presenter Bios:
Whitney Strong-Bak, PhD is a licensed psychologist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Munroe Meyer Institute. Dr. Strong-Bak practices in the Developmental Pediatrics Clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Nebraska, where she provides behavioral therapy for children with a variety of developmental and medical conditions, including Autism, Intellectual Disability, ADHD, and medical and genetic conditions impacting development and behavior. She also specializes in diagnosis of Autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Strong-Bak has a strong interest in providing education on childhood development and autism assessment to professionals to promote early identification of neurodiverse youth. Research is showing that increasing provider knowledge and comfort with child development has been shown to increase access to early intervention and evaluation.
Lisa L. Neitzke, PhD, BCBA is a licensed psychologist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She received her PhD in School Psychology from Oklahoma State University. She completed her doctoral internship at the Nebraska Internship Consortium in Professional Psychology – Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities, and completed post-doctoral training at the Munroe-Meyer Institute Adult Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Behavioral Health Clinic. As part of her doctoral training, she completed an area of study in Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. Neitzke conducts her clinic at the Munroe-Meyer Institute and she provides services for adults and transition aged adults with developmental disabilities. Her clinical interests include developmental disability assessment, functional behavior assessments, and outpatient behavioral therapy. Dr. Neitzke works with individuals, families, and service providers such as Extended Family Home providers, group home staff, job coaches, and day service providers. She also provides supervision to doctoral practicum students in a clinical and community setting.
Continuing Education
The Nebraska Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Nebraska Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. Participants attending this conference can receive 6 CEs for psychologists. Full attendance at the workshop is required to receive CE credit for psychologists. No partial credit is awarded; late arrival or early departure will preclude awarding of CE credits for psychologists. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start time or leaving before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credits. This program meets the criteria of an approved continuing education program for mental health practice.
Cancellation Policy: Written notification is required on or before October 28, 2024, for complete refund of registration fee. All questions, comments and complaints should be directed to the NPA Central Office at npa@nebpsych.org, 402-475-0709 or 877-355-7934.
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