ACA 2017 Conference & Expo ACAC Featured Sessions

Past Events

Tips and Tools for Counseling Youth with Sensory Processing Disorder

60-Minute Education Session
Emily Goodman-Scott, Melanie Burgess, Simone Lambert

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a neurological disorder impacting the behavioral, emotional, and social functioning of nearly 20 percent of youth. However, SPD is largely unrecognized in the counseling profession. Counselors serving youth in mental health and school settings attend this session to learn more about SPD and gain strategies for screening, diagnosing, treating, and collaborating with related stakeholders. Come prepared for a wealth of tips and tools to help you best serve the youth on your caseload.

  • Friday, March 17
  • 3:00pm – 4:00pm
  • ACAC Featured Session
  • Program ID #173, Room 2022

More than Just a “Bad Kid”: Exploring Positive Self-Concepts with Students

90-Minute Education Session
Shanice N. Armstrong, Richard J. Ricard

Have you ever met students who have given up on themselves? Who felt so powerless that they lose hope and see no point in even trying? This mentality is a small component of the “Why Try” Effect. The “Why Try” Effect involves self-stigma and stereotype threat, mediators such as self-esteem/efficacy, and their effect on goal-related behavior. This session will guide attendees in understanding the underlying research of this phenomenon and evidence-based practices to combat internalized hopelessness.

  • Saturday, March 18
  • 10:30am – 12:00pm
  • ACAC Featured Session
  • Program ID #248, Room 2002

Identifying and Addressing the Needs of Refugee Adolescents in Schools

30-Minute Poster Session
Amanda D. Rumsey 

With the growing number of refugees being resettled in the U.S., schools are seeing an increase in the numbers of refugee students and counselors are faced with providing appropriate services to support the needs of these youth. Information gathered from school counselors who currently work with refugee adolescents was collected and will be shared with attendees. Suggestions for providing support and ideas for future research will be discussed.

  • Saturday, March 18
  • 5:00pm – 5:30pm
  • ACAC Featured Session
  • Program ID #785, 2nd Floor, Poster Area 1

Can We Play Too: Including Children in Family Therapy

30-Minute Poster Session
Jennifer Pereira

Therapists often struggle when working to appropriately include young children in family sessions due to differences in cognitive, emotional, and social understanding. This poster outlines various methods for including young family members in sessions in ways that allow them to benefit from therapy and add to the positive outcomes.

  • Sunday, March 19
  • 10:00am – 10:30am
  • ACAC Featured Session
  • Program ID #818, 2nd Floor, Poster Area 41
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