Understanding behaviour and mental health problems
Presenter: Dr Jane Waite
Date of Presentation: 22nd June 2019
Conference of Event: SYNGAP1 Family Meet-up
Venue: Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh West, Edinburgh, Scotland
Overview of the talk
In this presentation Dr Waite discussed the current approaches to assessing behaviour and mental health in children with intellectual disability. She described traditional behavioural approaches to understanding these behaviours as well as the importance of considering genetic aetiology, underlying health difficulties and emotional difference.
About the Presenter
Dr Jane Waite, Lecturer in Psychology, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
Jane Waite is a Lecturer in Psychology at Aston University and a Clinical Psychologist. Jane completed her PhD at the University of Birmingham, which focused on the behavioural and cognitive phenotype of Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome. Following her PhD, she continued her research into behaviour and cognition in rare genetic syndromes including Williams, Kleefstra, Lowe and Bardet-Biedl syndromes.
Jane’s current research focuses on understanding the development of mental health difficulties, and improving the identification of these difficulties, in people with intellectual disabilities, rare genetic syndromes and autism spectrum disorder. She is currently developing clinical assessment tools for use within the NHS.
Jane has also worked extensively on online resources (Further Inform Neurogenetic Disorders (FIND); www.findresources.co.uk) with the aim of improving knowledge exchange between families and professionals.
Resources
Self-injurious Behaviour Guide
Managing behaviours that challenge
Anxiety Guide: A Guide for Parents