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Articles include: PROGRAM DESCRIPTION SPIN is co-sponsored by the Disability & Communication Access Board and the Special Education Section of the Department of Education. Services include a phone line for information referral and support, a quarterly newsletter, an annual conference and community workshops. SPIN is guided by an Advisory Committee made up of parents, teachers and people with disabilities. SPIN PHONE FAX E-MAIL WEB Ahoy matey! SPIN is taking
on provisions for a cruise into the sea of opportunities for
children and teens with disabilities and their families. It's
our 18th Annual SPIN Conference, and we set sail on Saturday,
April 12th from the University of Hawaii Campus Center. Hawaii Families as Allies (HFAA)
is also putting out the call to families and youth with emotional
and behavioral challenges to attend their Annual Conference.
The Youth Conference will be on June 14 and the Family Conference
on June 21--both at the UH Campus Center. This is a popular conference,
so call early for an application at 487-8785 or toll-free at
1-866-361-8825. EVIDENCED BASED SERVICES AND ANXIETY Evidence based services
or interventions (EBS)
are those that have been scientifically proven to have a positive
effect in the treatment of a particular disorder. In our last
issue we began sharing information from an important Hawaii report*
about EBS for children and teens with mental health disorders
that was released in December, 2002. *The "Summary of Effective
Interventions for Youth with Behavioral and Emotional Needs",
by the EvidenceBased Services Committee is available on-line
at www.state.hi.us/doh/camhd). Anxiety is a natural part of
every child's life. It normal for infants and toddlers to be
distressed when they have to leave their parents, or for young
children to be afraid of the dark. Teens worry about how they
appear to others and about speaking up in class. Anxiety only
becomes a mental health problem when it is persistent and severe
enough to interfere with the child's normal functioning. Separation Anxiety Disorder involves fear of being away from parents or other caretakers. Often the child will be afraid of something bad happening to a parent and be reluctant to go to school, stay at friend's houses or sleep alone. Stomachaches and headaches are common. Generalized Anxiety Disorder causes children to worry excessively about all sorts of things--upcoming events, grades, friends, family, being on time, even natural disasters. Other symptoms can include trembling, dizziness, stomach upsets, trouble sleeping and irritability. Phobias are extreme fears of things or situations (such as spiders, heights, getting a shot, dogs, and flying). The level of fear is usually inappropriate to the situation and can lead the child to avoid common, everyday situations. Social Phobia is the most common anxiety disorder in teens. It involves an ongoing fear of being embarrassed in social situations or in class. This anxiety can cause the teen to have trouble talking in class, taking tests or meeting new people. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder causes frequent and uncontrollable thoughts or impulses (obsessions) about bad things happening. These thoughts lead the child to perform a ritual or routine (compulsion) like hand-washing or checking locks to relieve the anxiety caused by the obsession. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur when children experience a physical or emotional trauma such as witnessing a disaster (like 9/11), being sexually or physically abused or being in a car accident. The child "re-lives" the trauma through nightmares or flashbacks, may be irritable, and have trouble eating, concentrating and sleeping. What works in anxiety disorders? THERAPY. In reviewing
the most current studies, the Evidence Based Services Committee
found the BEST SUPPORT for treating anxiety through
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), exposure and
modeling. Studies using CBT with parents included and Educational
Support met the criteria for GOOD SUPPORT. Services that work: Medications that work: Where do I go for help? If you are concerned that your child may have an anxiety disorder you should check with your family physician or ask the school for help in evaluating whether school based behavioral health services are needed. Early intervention can prevent future difficulties, such as a loss of friendships, failure to reach social and academic promise and feelings of low self-esteem. Thanks to Dr. Bruce Chorpita for his help with definitions for this article. The Aloha Special Technology
Access Center (Aloha STAC) will be holding it's annual assistive
technology fair on May 3, 2003 at Shriners Hospital. Hands-on
workshops, speakers, vendors, and numerous organizations will
focus on technology that can enhance the lives of persons with
disabilities. Registration is required. Call 523-5547 for more
information. The AUTISM SOCIETY OF HAWAII
presents "Basic Autism Training: Is There Mental Health
in Autism?" The Therapeutic Recreation Unit of the Department of Parks and Recreation will be holding the 7th Annual Family Camp on March 21-23 at Kualoa Regional Park. The purpose of the camp is to provide an opportunity for individuals and their families and friends to have an enjoyable camping experience. Costs of the camp are only $20 for 13 years to adults, $15 for 8-12 years, and $10 for 3-7 years (2 & under are free). Deadline for registration is February 14! For more information and a registration form contact Colleen Casey at 692-5750. Here's your chance to acknowledge
some key parents and professionals whose efforts make a positive
difference in the lives of children and young adults with disabilities
and their families in Hawaii. These outstanding individuals will
be honored at our SPIN Conference on April 12, 2003. "SEAS
THE OPPORTUNITY" 9:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m.
-Dr. Richard Radtke, Sea of Dreams Foundation
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 a.m. Buffet ** Award Presentation ** Tide Phase 2 12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Networking
Break The Perfect Storm- The process of positive behavioral supports-Behavior Plans(repeat) Ports of Call (disability specific workshops) *Deafness - Communication & Deaf Culture *Externalizing Emotional Disorders (ADHD, ODD, etc.) *Internalizing Emotional Disorders (anxiety, depression, etc.) *Learning Disabilities 2/7 Real Choices Promising
Practices Institute PacRimPre Conference 2/10 PacRim Conference 2/12 Professional Employment
for Individuals with Disabilities: Issues of Preparation &
2/22 "Every Child Deserves
a Medical Home" 2/14 '03 Pacific Basin Learning
Disabilities Conference 2/27 Building the Bonds of
Attachment (workshop on attachment-resistant disorder) 3/8-9 Family Leadership Conference
(co-sponsored by Hawaii Families As Allies & Easter Seals) 4/12 2003 SPIN Conference 6/14 Hawaii Families As Allies
Youth Conference |