Presented by Amy Cobb, MD., University Medicine Associates

In understanding and supporting children with ADHD, an understanding of executive functions, the neuroscience behind ADHD, and the diagnostic criteria are essential to gain valuable insights into improving outcomes. This presentation will discuss practical strategies to scaffold tasks at home and school, and will explore the impact of diet, exercise, and medication on ADHD management. 
 

Presentation Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

• Increase understanding: To enhance attendees' knowledge of executive functions, ADHD/ADD, and their relationship. 
• Provide practical strategies: To equip participants with actionable strategies for supporting children with ADHD in academic and home settings.
• Address common concerns: To clarify misconceptions about ADHD and its treatment, including the role of diet, exercise, and medication.
  
   

Bio of presenter

Dr. Amy Cobb is an internal medicine/pediatric specialist in San Antonio, Texas, and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Post Acute-Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital of Allen and University Health-San Antonio. She received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and has been in practice between 6-10 years.
 

Presented by Heidi Johnson, M.Ed., School Counselor at The Winston School San Antonio

School avoidance is a complex issue that affects students of all ages, and has become a crisis post-pandemic.  The impact it has on students and families is profound.  This presentation will delve into the signs of developing school avoidance as well as various factors that contribute to school avoidance including academic difficulties, social challenges, mental health concerns, and life changes.  The discussion will include the potential impact of school avoidance on students’ academic performance, social development, and overall well-being. Additionally, the presentation will explore effective strategies for addressing school avoidance, such as early intervention, counseling services, and creating a supportive learning environment. By understanding the causes and consequences of school avoidance families and schools can work together to collaborate on strategies that promote positive school attendance and student growth and success. This session is great for parents and teachers!
 

Presentation Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

• Define school avoidance and its signs & characteristics.
• Identify the various factors that contribute to school avoidance, including academic, social, emotional, and life changes.
• Discuss the potential consequences of school avoidance on students' academic performance, social development, and overall well-being.
• Explore the impact of school avoidance on families.
• Identify strategies for schools and families to explore together to help school-avoidant students
• Share resources for schools and families
   

Bio of presenter: 

Ms. Heidi Johnson graduated from Siena College in Loudonville, NY and the University of Maryland, College Park where she earned a Master's in Education in School Counseling.  She has had the opportunity to live and work in a number of different states to include Maryland, Georgia, Tennessee, New York, and Texas.  She is a Texas Certified School Counselor and a member of the Texas Counseling and Texas School Counseling Associations, additionally, she recently was awarded the CREST from the Texas Counseling Association which recognizes model school counseling programs from across the state.  She is thrilled to be serving her second year as The Winston School San Antonio’s School Counselor. Go Eagles!

Presented by: Rebecca Juarez, LMSW - Assistant Professor of Practice, Social Work at UTSA

Have you ever been in a situation with a child or teen with challenging behavior and found yourself saying, “What were they thinking?!” This session will discuss child and adolescent brain development and how to be effective in working with children and teens. The presentation will cover development, trauma, and common mental health needs that arise in this age range before moving into motivational interviewing and other tools to utilize in a classroom. This session is great for teachers!

Presentation Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

Participants will:
 •  Understand how brain development and developmental stages impact and shape the behavior of children and adolescents. 

•  Understand how trauma can impact behavior and developmental trajectory

 •  Learn how to respond to challenging behaviors, trauma responses, and common mental health needs of children and youth.
 

Presenter's Bio:

Being born and raised in San Antonio has given me a passion for appreciating and serving in this beautiful community. I received both my Bachelor's and Master's in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University and have had the opportunity to learn and work in a variety of roles since graduating. Throughout my time in the field, I have worked with children and young people displaying challenging behaviors, survivors of intimate partner violence, several school districts in and around San Antonio, the Bexar County court system, as a campus social worker at a middle school, and now as an Assistant Professor of Practice with the UTSA Social Work Department. Across all of these roles, I have always had a passion for teaching and training and have focused on topics such as trauma and brain development, early childhood development, working with children and adolescents in the school setting, responding to challenging behaviors in the classroom, responding to suicidal ideation in children and youth, and other similar topics.

Presented by Grizelda M. Anguiana, MD, FAAP from Anchored

Anxiety and depression are common challenges that affect students, particularly those
that are neurodiverse with ADHD or learning differences. These mental health issues
can profoundly impact students’ ability to focus, retain information, and regulate
emotions, making learning an even greater struggle.

This presentation will explore the ways in which anxiety and depression activate the
sympathetic nervous system, impair cognitive functioning, disrupt sleep, and affect
nutrition—all of which contribute to further learning difficulties.
By understanding these impacts, educators and families can work together to create
supportive learning environments that empower students to succeed academically and
emotionally. Practical strategies for managing stress, improving sleep, and supporting
overall mental health will also be discussed.

Presentation Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

● Define anxiety and depression and how they manifest in students.

● Understand the connection between the sympathetic nervous system and learning impairment.
● Explore how sleep disruption, emotional dysregulation, and poor nutrition impact students' academic performance.
●  Identify strategies to support students in overcoming the challenges posed by anxiety and depression.
● Share resources and collaborative approaches for educators and families to support student success.
 

Bio of presenter:

Dr. Grizelda Anguiano is a board-certified pediatrician specializing in pediatric mental health and family coaching, with a focus on neurodiverse children and ADHD. She founded Anchored Pediatric Mental Health & Family Coaching to provide comprehensive, holistic support to families navigating mental health challenges.
While recognizing that medication can have an appropriate role in treatment, Dr. Anguiano emphasizes a holistic approach that empowers children and families with tools
they can use throughout their lives. Her approach addresses all facets of well-being, including sleep, nutrition, movement, emotional regulation, and mindfulness, helping
children thrive beyond the need for medication alone. 

Presented by: Anel Lamadrid, Reem Eissa, PhD, and , Will Archuleta, MS, from the Clarity Child Guidance Center

While exploring the complexities of adolescent identity development in a social media-driven world, this presentation emphasizes the role of parasocial relationships and the impact of online interactions on mental health and social functioning. Participants will learn about the unique challenges faced by youth in the digital landscape and how these can affect their self-esteem and social skills. Additionally, a practical toolkit will be provided for teens, parents, and educators, offering some strategies to promote safe and healthy social media use.

Presentation Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

1. Examine adolescent mental health trends: Discuss trends in the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and self-harm in adolescents with the rise of social media
2. Understand Social Media's Role in Identity Development: Explore how social media influences adolescent self-perception and identity formation, particularly through parasocial relationships.
3. Assess Mental Health Implications: Identify the positive and negative effects of social media usage on adolescent mental health and well-being.
4. Develop Support Strategies:  Formulate practical strategies for educators and parents to support adolescents in navigating social media and their challenges effectively.
    

About Clarity:

Clarity Child Guidance Center is the only nonprofit mental health treatment center for kids ages 3 to 17 in South Texas. Our staff of children’s mental health professionals is the largest in the region. When a child is in crisis, we work with families to get much-needed treatment regardless of their ability to pay.

The mission of Clarity Child Guidance Center is to support children and families in their pursuit of mental wellness.

Bio:

Anel Lamadrid is currently serving as a doctoral intern in the Department of Psychiatry at UT Health San Antonio, specifically within the Child, Adolescent, and Family Track at Clarity Child Guidance Center. She is in the final stages of her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Northern Arizona University. As a bilingual graduate student and intern, she actively seeks to provide services and advocate for mental health initiatives within the Spanish-speaking community. Anel’s clinical interests focus on supporting children and adolescents in enhancing communication within their family systems, while also offering psychoeducational support.

Will Archuleta, MS is a PhD candidate in counseling psychology and the University of North Texas (UNT). He is currently completing his clinical psychology internship at UT Health San Antonio and Clarity Child Guidance Center with a focus on working with children, adolescents, and their families. His clinical interests include interpersonal psychotherapy, complex trauma, physical and sensory disability, child and adolescent assessment, and family-based therapy. As a researcher, Will has published on developmental consequences to childhood maltreatment, complex PTSD, and sensory disability as it pertains to identity development. Will also holds a passion for spreading mental health education through public speaking, providing a variety of talks across venues, including community centers, churches, military installations, and anime conventions.

Reem Eissa, PhD obtained her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Detroit Mercy. She then completed her pre-doctoral internship at UT Health San Antonio in the Department of Psychiatry where she trained in the Child, Adolescent, and Family track before completing a post-doctoral fellowship at Clarity Child Guidance Center, where she provided outpatient treatment to children, adolescents, and their families. She started a staff and supervising psychologist position at Clarity in October 2024. Dr. Eissa’s clinical interests include play therapy, psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and providing access to psychoeducation for parents of young children in the San Antonio community. She is also active in teaching activities, particularly focused on making psychoanalytic concepts and psychodynamic theory more accessible to graduate students in psychology. As a bilingual psychologist Dr. Eissa is passionate about advocating for the mental health needs of immigrants and refugees with Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African (AMENA) descent. 
 

Presented by Lucretia Fraga, Ph.D.  Associate Professor at Incarnate Word University

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more integrated into our lives on a daily basis. This presentation introduces parents and families to the essentials of AI, focusing on how AI is used in everyday life, its impact on education, and ways to support responsible and informed AI use at home and in school. This session is great for teachers & parents!

Presentation Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the Basics of AI.
• Explain what AI is, how it works in simple terms, and its presence in daily life and education.
• Explore AI’s Impact on Education.

Discuss how AI influences educational experiences, skills, and development.

Provide Practical Tips for AI Guidance at Home:
Offer strategies for parents to foster safe, balanced, and informed AI use for their children.
Empower Families to Support Responsible AI Use in School Settings:
Equip parents with insights to advocate for thoughtful AI use in educational contexts.

Bio of presenter:

Dr. Lucretia M. Fraga is an Associate Professor of Instructional Technology at the University of the Incarnate Word. Her research centers on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into education, focusing on AI’s impact on instructional design and the preparation of preservice teachers. Dr. Fraga has published widely and presented at major conferences like SITE, ISTE, and EAAI. She co-chairs the SITE Teaching & Learning with Emerging Technologies SIG and was a 2023 Faculty Fellow for ISTE’s AI Explorations program. Dr. Fraga’s work is shaping the future of education, equipping educators and preservice teachers to thrive in a tech-driven world.