MSPA-West MA Fall Conference: Executive Functioning Interventions for a Changing Child and Adolescent Brain

Conference Description

The goal of this conference is to convey how cognitive neuroscience can be used to understand child and adolescent brain development; emotional and behavioral growth; and intervention approaches for children and adolescents.  The presentation will focus on growth and utilization of cortical and subcortical structures, gray and white matter development, and changes in neurotransmitter levels that occur during childhood and adolescence.   Emphasis will be placed on interventions that capitalize on these changes with regards to learning, executive functioning and social/emotional development.  

Goals of Presentation

Participants will:

1. Demonstrate knowledge about how neurological development impacts students' cognitive, emotional, and behavioral growth from childhood to adolescence,

2. Understand how neuroscience can be used to understand child and adolescent development,

3. Be able to list at least two neuroscience based interventions to support improved learning,

4. Be able to list at least two neuroscience based interventions to support improved executive functioning skills, and

5. Be able to list at least two neuroscience based interventions to support students in learning new, more effective behavioral repertoires.

About the Presenter, Jason Mathison, PsyD, NCSP, ABSNP

Dr. Mathison is a licensed psychologist and certified school neuropsychologist in Maryland and Virginia who has worked with children and adolescents for over 12 years. He earned his doctorate in school psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he published with faculty and served as an adjunct professor before graduating. He maintains adjunct appointments at both Loyola University in Baltimore and the Chicago Professional School of psychology. Dr. Mathison is also the owner and director of Psychoeducational Consultants where he provides neuropsychological testing and conducts workshops on brain-behavior relationships for educational staff and mental health professionals across the country. Dr. Mathison spends much of his time providing executive functioning coaching for both clients and their families. In addition to multiple publications on executive functioning, he has served on an expert panel at National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) on the teenage brain and recently appeared on PBS/WHUT. Dr. Mathison has served as a school psychologist for Prince George’s County Public Schools for 10 years where he works with students and teachers to diagnose and provide interventions to enhance executive functioning and maximize academic success.

Payment Information:

For those wishing to pay by purchase order/check, please complete registration, print the invoice, and mail invoice and district purchase order OR check PRIOR to the event to:

MSPA-West, P.O. Box 259, Hadley, MA 01035

*Please note that MSPA charges a $75 cancellation fee for cancellations received prior to the conference. *

The Massachusetts School Psychologists Association is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to offer contact hours. The DESE requires the completion of a pre-test, which is to be completed prior to the workshop start time. A post-test is also required and will be given at the end of the conference. Participants must attend the ENTIRE CONFERENCE and satisfy state regulations in order to receive 6 contact hours. Each participant is responsible for knowing and meeting the DESE licensure requirements.

CE HOURS: The Massachusetts School Psychologists Association is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to sponsor continuing education (CE) for psychologists. In keeping with NASP requirements, these are awarded in contact hours only. CE hours will be awarded at the close of the conference.  MSPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Arriving more than 15 minutes late or failing to stay for the entire program will result in the inability to obtain a PD certificate.  Certificates will only be distributed at the conclusion of the program.

Please arrive a bit early so you can complete registration prior to 8:30 AM so we can start on time. Don't forget to send your purchase order or check to MSPA-West, P.O. Box 259, Hadley, MA 01035. Also, please indicate disability accommodations as necessary. We look forward to your participation in this exciting conference.