Pre-Conference Intensives

*Additional Fee & Pre-Registration Required

There is a growing appreciation that older adults with cognitive deficits often are undiagnosed until they have reached an advanced stage of impairment. In fact, it has been reported that primary care physicians may be unaware of cognitive impairment in as many as 40 percent of their cognitively impaired patients. Patients who have cognitive deficits are often seen first by their primary care providers, and a large study found that more than half of patients with dementia had not received a clinical cognitive evaluation. Assessing cognitive deficits in the primary care environment is critical, as cognitive changes can be caused by medication issues, brain tumors, or other non-neurological medical causes which if addressed by the primary care provider, could mitigate a decline in functioning. Hence, medical professional societies are increasingly recommending that older adults be screened for cognitive impairment. Further, when diagnosed with dementia, clinical pathways can be established to assist the patient, their caregivers, and family members so that patients receive the most benefit from treatment options at the earliest point possible.

In this workshop the presenters will present the current state of dementia screening and assessment, address practical methods used to assess and then manage patients with cognitive impairment in the primary care setting. Share insights from disease management programs that focus on patients with cognitive impairment and discuss how to help patients and families navigate the disease and establish advance care planning to help people direct their preferences and goals for care.

Learning Objectives
As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. List five characteristics of ideal cognitive screening tools for primary care settings.
2. Discuss challenges to implementation of cognitive screening tools in primary care.
3. Describe the impact of diabetes on cognitive function.
4. Discuss key principles for primary care to counsel patients who are newly diagnosed with cognitive impairment using clear and compassionate language.
5. Explain the most important ways that primary care can make a difference to maintain cognitive function for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Instructional Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: Health practitioners who function in primary care, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, social workers and Family therapists.
 

This activity is approved for 3.9 contact hour(s) of continuing education (which includes 0 hour(s) of pharmacology) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners®. Activity ID# 24086820. This activity was planned in accordance with AANP Accreditation Standards and Policies.

*Additional Fee & Pre-Registration Required

In this workshop you will hear about the most common developmental and behavioral disorders impacting school-aged children, including ADHD, dyslexia, learning disorders, and concussion. Our panel of recognized experts will present the latest advances in understanding and assessing learning disorders in school-age children. Given the complexity and comorbidity of these disorders, it is important to learn about the neuroscientific research related to brain function and plasticity, along with ecological findings from classroom studies, to take away practical interventions. Identifying these issues early on facilitates timely support, allowing educators and parents to employ tailored strategies that address each child's unique needs. Acquiring insights into the intricacies of learning disorders enables the implementation of evidence-based teaching methods.

Learning Objectives
As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify different types of learning disabilities.
2. Determine when neuropsychological testing is necessary for ADHD evaluation.
3. List the components of a school-based intervention plan for children with ADHD.
4. Identify four significant linguistic risk factors and explain how they can affect reading and spelling development.
5. Describe the type of intervention that students with dyslexia need.
6. List common morbidities among pediatric ABI survivors.
7. Discuss various multidisciplinary approaches to optimize recovery in partnership with schools.

Instructional Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: School psychologists, neuropsychologists, school counselors