The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Annual Meeting is scheduled to take place from October 14-19, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. This event is the largest gathering of child and adolescent psychiatrists worldwide, offering a unique opportunity to connect with and learn from colleagues and friends from over 60 countries. The AACAP’s 2024 Annual Meeting is anticipated to be one of the most exciting events of the year.

If you have not yet registered for this year’s meeting, we strongly encourage you to do so by clicking here. Attending this event will enable you to advance your career, expand your professional network, gain insights from industry leaders, and acquire the knowledge needed to improve patient care.

Highlighted below are some of the key sessions at AACAP 2024 focusing on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including management strategies, empowering your patients, pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for challenging cases, and more. These sessions are organized in chronological order for your convenience.

An Update in Psychopharmacology: Focus on Pragmatic Management Strategies

  • Date/Time: Tuesday, October 15, 2024 @ 1:30
  • Description: There has been a noticeable increase in the number of children and adolescents seeking treatment from child and adolescent psychiatrists. Many of these individuals require ongoing medication management strategies due to the chronic nature of their conditions. The primary goal of this Institute is to enhance understanding of medication usage, including neurotherapeutics, as well as to explore newer treatment options and approaches for managing medication-related challenges in complex cases involving children and adolescents with psychopathology. During the Institute, presenters will discuss practical strategies for addressing comorbid conditions such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, tic disorders, and mood disorders.

Dignity, Choice, and Empowerment: Shared Decision Making (SDM) With Diverse Youth and Families

  • Date/Time: Thursday, October 17, 2024 @ 1:30
  • Description: Adolescents facing psychiatric challenges are particularly vulnerable, as mental healthcare, intended to be empowering, can sometimes feel like an additional burden due to the stigma associated with mental health disorders, medications, and therapies. Shared decision-making (SDM) is a framework that emphasizes the importance of preserving dignity in the treatment process. Healthcare providers clearly communicate that decisions are to be made collaboratively, outlining who has the authority to make decisions and working alongside young individuals and their families to implement choices. SDM skills are honed through role-playing exercises, allowing for effective practice and application in real-life scenarios.

Updated Treatment Revisions and the Foundations for Treating Home and School Functional Impairments in ADHD: Empirically Tested Treatments for Organizational Skills and Executive Function Deficits in Children and Teens

  • Date/Time: Friday, October 18, 2024 @ 8:00
  • Description: Participants will receive training in two specialized treatments for children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. One treatment focuses on improving the ability to maintain a standing position, while the other addresses timing deficits. Research has shown a strong correlation between ADHD, anxiety, and increased postural sway, which can make it challenging for individuals to remain standing for extended periods. The second treatment involves utilizing music therapy, either actively or passively, to target deficits in organization, time management, and planning skills – collectively known as executive function. Participants will learn how to effectively implement these treatments to enhance the quality of life for children and adolescents who experience difficulties with standing and timing.

Mastering ADHD: Managing Comorbidities and Optimizing Medication Tolerability

  • Date/Time: Friday, October 18, 2024 @ 8:30
  • Description: ADHD often coexists with other psychiatric disorders and physical health impairments, which can complicate the assessment and management of this condition. Experts have developed a systematic, multimodal approach to improve the identification and treatment of these common complexities. They also explore the impact of stimulant medications on weight, growth, sleep, and cardiovascular parameters. The data utilized in this approach is derived from national survey studies, open trials, and clinical cases. The review includes a comprehensive analysis of literature, clinical case vignettes, treatment guidelines, and best practices in managing ADHD in individuals with comorbid psychiatric symptoms. Participants in this program will learn multimodal strategies that encompass both pharmacological and psychosocial interventions for effectively managing challenging cases of ADHD in youth with co-occurring psychiatric symptoms.

Treatment of Preschoolers: Where Evidence Meets Practice

  • Date/Time: Friday, October 18, 2024 @ 1:30
  • Description: Research indicates that approximately 12% of children aged five and under are diagnosed with a mental health disorder. During the Institute, experts will address three key considerations when determining appropriate therapeutic interventions for young children: developmental, cultural, and contextual factors. Additionally, they will discuss the unique differences in psychotherapy approaches between preschool children and older age groups, such as school-age children and adolescents. Real-world experiences will be shared to illustrate effective treatment strategies for common mental health issues in young children, including ASD, ADHD, anxiety, and disruptive behaviors.

Master Clinician James J. McGough, MD, MS: Clinical Management of Complicated and Uncomplicated ADHD

  • Date/Time: Saturday, October 19, 2024@ 7:00 AM
  • Description: Dr. James J. McGough, MD, MS, is a professor emeritus in the division of child and adolescent psychiatry at UCLA. He is widely recognized as an expert and educator in the field of ADHD assessment and treatment, as well as its comorbidities. Dr. McGough has a wealth of experience, having served as the past chair of AACAP’s Program Committee. Throughout his illustrious 30+ year career, Dr. McGough has been instrumental in establishing clinical programs in ADHD and general child and adolescent psychopharmacology at UCLA. He has also made significant contributions to the field through the publication of over 140 peer-reviewed research reports and by serving as the principal investigator for numerous NIH studies. Notably, Dr. McGough’s groundbreaking NIH-funded research on Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation led to the FDA’s first approval of a non-medication intervention for ADHD. His expertise has been sought after by prestigious institutions, as evidenced by his service as a member of the FDA’s Psychopharmacology Advisory Panel and NIMH Data Safety Monitoring Board.
  • In this session, Dr. McGough leads discussion and conducts an open forum on management strategies for common and difficult issues related to ADHD treatment in the clinical setting.

Superpower or Disability? Navigating ADHD While Doctoring

  • Date/Time: Saturday, October 19, 2024 @ 8:00 AM
  • Description: Physicians with ADHD may struggle to achieve the same level of success in their careers as their non-ADHD colleagues if they do not receive proper support. This lack of support can lead to burnout, leaving the medical field, as well as mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even suicide. During this presentation, the challenges that physicians face when it comes to being diagnosed with ADHD will be explored. This includes differences in symptom presentation according to the DSM-5 criteria, as well as the barriers that physicians encounter when seeking a diagnosis and treatment for ADHD. The potential consequences of leaving ADHD undiagnosed or untreated is explored. An ADHD diagnosis can actually benefit a physician, and examples will be provided to illustrate this point. Participants will be introduced to strategies and resources aimed at promoting success for students and physicians with ADHD in both academic and professional settings.

The AACAP Annual Meeting will showcase in-depth discussions on the most recent research on child and adolescent psychiatry. We invite you to click here to explore the comprehensive list of topics and sessions that will be addressed at this significant event. We eagerly anticipate your participation at AACAP 2024, where you will have the opportunity to engage with colleagues and top experts for a stimulating and informative gathering.

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