Understanding Autism w/ Sherry Mergner, MSW, LCSW
Date: November 16, 2016, Wednesday, 10 am – 12 pm
Location: Northwest AHEC, 475 Deacon Blvd, Winston Salem, NC 27105
Presenter: Sherry Mergner, MSW, LCSW
Title: Understanding Autism: The Impact of Emotional Regulation Issues and Social Cognitive Challenges on Behavior and Academics
Continuing Education: 2 hours
Fee: $25
**Free for Current Students, Faculty, Staff, Field Instructors and Task Supervisors** (Field Instructors please get coupon code from Field Office)
Description: Social cognitive challenges and emotional regulation issues are cited as core challenges for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As a result, children with ASD are prone to a higher incidence of behavior problems at home or at school. Social cognitive challenges not only impact interpersonal relationships, but also academics. This session will provide an overview of these core deficits and outline a number of social and emotional strategies, which can be implemented to help improve the lives of children and teens on the autism spectrum.
Presenter Bio: Sherry Mergner, MSW, LCSW is a Clinical Assistant Professor and the AHEC Liaison at UNC-CH, School of Social Work, where she coordinates continuing education programs for mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability professionals. She is also clinical social work faculty for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (LEND) grant at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, where she recruits social workers for this specialized training in Developmental Disabilities. Sherry also provides clinical services to families at the CIDD. From 2010-13, Sherry served as the Project Coordinator for an Autism Masters Training Grant through UNC-CH, School of Medicine, Department of Allied Health Services. The purpose of this training grant was to educate occupational therapy, speech, and language pathology master-level students on Autism Spectrum Disorders. She is the proud mother of Noah, 17 years old with High Functioning Autism and Nathan, 14 years old who is typically developing. Sherry has served as a Mother’s Mentor for UNC-CH, TEACCH and was on the board of the Orange/Chatham Chapter of the Autism Society of NC from 2005-2007. She is very active in her community and within her children’s school promoting autism awareness and education.
Objectives:
Participants completing this event will be able to:
- Explain the emotional regulation challenges faced by children and teens with ASD;
- Describe the origins of social cognitive deficits in children with ASD and how these challenges can affect behavior, relationships and academics.
- Discuss the emotional regulation and social cognitive strategies that can be taught to children and teens with ASD to help improve behavior and flexibility throughout their day.
Each Winston-Salem Clinical Lecture Series event provides the following credit: 2.0 Contact Hours from Northwest AHEC, 2.0 contact hours of (Category A) continuing education for North Carolina psychologists, 2.0 contact hours from the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board. This program does not provide specific NBCC credits. However, per LPC licensure guidelines, you may submit up to 15 contact hours of continuing education by attending programs by affiliates of the National Area Health Education Center Organization (NAO). Northwest AHEC is a member of NAO.
Refund Policy: No refunds are given but registration can be transferred to a colleague for the same event. Please contact Theresa Palmer at palmermt@email.unc.edu or 336-416-5096 to make arrangements.
ADA Statement: If you require any of the auxiliary aids or services identified in the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to participate in this program, please call us at 336-416-5096 no later than ten business days before the program.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
DO NOT LOG IN/REGISTER WITH YOUR ONYEN if you are a:
– UNC employee for any Department or School other than UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work
– Field instructor/Task supervisor who is not otherwise employed as a faculty of UNC School of Social Work
ONYEN LOG IN is ONLY for UNC-CH SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK current students, staff and faculty.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING REGISTRATION PLEASE CONTACT:
CAROL ANN HINCY 919-962-6540 or chincy@email.unc.edu