Candice Alfano Recorded Webinar: Behavioral Treatment of Insomnia in Children: Beyond the Basics

Original Air Date: June 22, 2017

Abstract:
Adequate sleep is essential for all age groups, but sleep during childhood is particularly critical based on its temporal overlap with brain development and physical growth. In addition to sleep problems that persist into adulthood, insomnia in childhood is a potent risk factor for a wide range of negative outcomes including overweight/obesity, inattention, hyperactivity, learning problems, conduct problems, substance use, anxiety, and depression. Unfortunately, up to 70% of children in the U.S. age 10 and under experience a sleep problem several times per week. Effective, evidence-based treatments are available, but the number of providers with training in behavioral sleep interventions is limited. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of insomnia in children. Following brief review of the essential role of sleep in childhood and specific factors that give rise to poor sleep, validated assessment tools that provide a comprehensive understanding of children’s sleep problems will be discussed. Evidence-based treatment strategies will then be presented and discussed in the context of a  case example.

Learning objectives:
1) Participants will learn about prevalence rates, risk factors for, and impairments associated with insomnia during childhood.
2) Participants will learn to apply evidence-based assessment practices for diagnosing insomnia in children.
3) Participants will learn to apply evidence-based treatment strategies for children with insomnia.

About the Presenter:
Dr. Candice Alfano is Associate Professor of Psychology, a licensed clinical psychologist, and Director of the Sleep and Anxiety Center of Houston (SACH) at the University of Houston. Dr. Alfano’s research program and clinical practice focuses on the role of sleep in the development of anxious and affective psychopathology and evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Dr. Alfano is a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and has served on the board of directors for the Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine (SBSM). She has published more than 70 scientific papers, articles, chapters, and books. She is co-editor of the book, Comprehensive Evidence-based Interventions for Children and Adolescents (John Wiley & Sons).

Suggested Readings:
1. Clementi, M., Balderas, J., Cowie, J.  & Alfano. C.A. (2014).  Treatment of Childhood Insomnia and Nighttime Fears. In C. Alfano, & D. Beidel (Eds.), Comprehensive Evidence-Based Interventions for Children and Adolescents. Wiley; Hoboken, NJ.
2. Mindell, J.A. & Owens, J.A. (2009). A Clinical Guide to Pediatric Sleep: Diagnosis and Management of Sleep Problems (2nd Edition). Lippincott Williams & Wilkens; Philadelphia, PA.
3. Byars, K & Simon, S (2014). Practice Patterns and Insomnia Treatment Outcomes from an Evidence-Based Pediatric Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 2, 337–349.

All attendees will receive a certificate of completion when the course requirements are satisfied. Certificates of completion is included in the cost of the webinar

ABCT is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. ABCT maintains responsibility for this program and its content

The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5797. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs

The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies is recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) to offer continuing education as Provider #4600