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Working with Anxious and Demanding Parents

Dr. Robert Dawson

Anxiety and demandingness don’t always go together but when they do this mix can be particularly challenging. This is particularly the case when the mix is spiced with feelings of incompetence, guilt, low self-esteem and self-condemnation. The effect of mixing these ingredients can create so much discomfort that anger is often the most effective emotion to mask the discomfort. Parents worrying about their kids often get angry – at the kids, at the system (which includes professionals) and at themselves. Angry people don’t listen too well, tend to make us feel uncomfortable and are flat out difficult to deal with. We need a simple (doesn’t mean easy) straightforward approach in order to work effectively with angry customers. We also had better practice the approach with some regularity if we are going to get good at it. This talk outlines such an approach. Its focus will be on self-management first; followed by effective other-management second. People who are difficult should be difficult. Working from this basic notion, this presentation covers the how of frustration management; normalizing problematic emotions and generating optimism.

Connect 4: Connecting for Better Educational Outcomes for Students

Neville Bryce

Research into the prevention of childhood and subsequent adult mental health problems consistently stresses the importance of resilience and connectedness for young people, Resnik et al, (1997). If students are connected to the BIG 4, (schools, peers, family and their community) it reduces the risk of depression, suicide, alcohol and substance abuse. If Educators, and Professional/Therapeutic Workers can “Effectively Connect” we can also assist young people to achieve better educational and life outcomes. This presentation will examine some of the factors identified from contemporary Australian and Overseas sources that are causing students to be disconnected. Teacher, parent, school factors, generational warfare, poverty-language and social-economic issues will be illustrated. Systemic, organisational and practical individual ways therapeutic professionals and educators can make a difference in “connecting” on the Sunshine Coast will be explored.

Applied Neuroscience for Childhood Behaviour & Learning Disorders

Mark Darling

Neurotherapy, which is also known as EEG biofeedback or neurofeedback, is a treatment modality that utilises computer technology to address many neurologically-based conditions. Based on the principles of operant conditioning, it is a form of EEG training that rewards changes in brainwave activity towards that which is more characteristic of a functional brain. Sensors placed on the scalp for measuring the brain’s electrical activity combine with computer software to provide moment-by-moment visual and auditory feedback that lets the trainee know when they are producing appropriate brainwave patterns and when they are not. As the brain picks up on these cues and begins to function more appropriately, improvements are often seen in a number of areas, including sleep, behaviour, attention, communication and emotions. Historically, neurotherapy has been used in the treatment of epilepsy, ADHD, learning disabilities, mood disorders and alcoholism, but recent clinical experience and an emerging body of literature suggests promising results for those in the autistic spectrum, including Asperger’s Syndrome. Consideration will also be given to the related field of haemoencephalographic (HEG) neurotherapy, a technique that monitors and enhances cerebral blood flow. This presentation will provide participants with a historical, theoretical, and neurological perspective of neurotherapy.

Primary care management of Child Mental Health issues

Dr. Scott Parsons

This discussion aims to help the primary care professional approach child mental health. This starts with the initial consultation and the problems in engaging the parent and child, through to discussing treatment options. This is not a detailed medical discussion on child psychiatry but is more a way of approaching the issue in the general practice setting with its own unique challenges and time constraints. There will be a brief overview of the current available treatments including conventional medical and complementary therapy including a discussion on what works and what is questionable. In addition there will be a discussion on the appropriate use of the mental health care plan item numbers in the paediatric setting.

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