News from the Child Development Program (CDP) and the Preschool Consultation Project (PCP)

Our annual event occurred on January 26th, 2013. We had the pleasure of hearing clinical psychologist Stephanie Pass and pediatric physical therapist Janet Green Bab present on the physical and emotional development of preschoolers with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Through use of video and case vignettes, Janet and Stephanie illustrated ways to identify each child’s unique sensorimotor and communication profile, and explored ideas about how to support the development of attention, engagement, and social interaction. Mental health professionals, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and early childhood educators attended this workshop. The talk was very well received and demonstrated the rich benefits of an interdisciplinary approach.

The Preschool Consultation Study Group continues to work on developing presentations for parents of preschoolers on common challenges of parenting young children.  On February 3rd we met with Mirta Berman-Oelsner to discuss “Understanding and Handling Aggression in Preschoolers.”  Mirta’s presentation focused on how to understand aggression from a Kleinian perspective.  The discussion then focused on how to talk to parents to help them normalize and contain their children’s anger and aggressive behaviors.