This is an On-Demand course that includes a video recording and a handout of slides that accompany the talk.
In this ABCT webinar, Candice Alfano discusses how adequate sleep is essential for all age groups, but that sleep during childhood is particularly critical based on its temporal overlap with brain development and physical growth. In addition to sleep problems that persist into adulthood, insomnia in childhood is a potent risk factor for a wide range of negative outcomes including overweight/obesity, inattention, hyperactivity, learning problems, conduct problems, substance use, anxiety, and depression. Unfortunately, up to 70% of children in the U.S. age 10 and under experience a sleep problem several times per week. Effective, evidence-based treatments are available, but the number of providers with training in behavioral sleep interventions is limited.
This webinar provides a comprehensive overview of insomnia in children. Following a brief review of the essential role of sleep in childhood and specific factors that give rise to poor sleep, validated assessment tools that provide a comprehensive understanding of children's sleep problems are discussed. Evidence-based treatment strategies are then presented and discussed in the context of a case example.
After completing this course participants will be able to:
- Describe prevalence rates, risk factors for, and impairments associated with insomnia during childhood.
- Apply evidence-based assessment practices for diagnosing insomnia in children.
- Apply evidence-based treatment strategies for children with insomnia.
Dr. Candice Alfano is Associate Professor of Psychology, a licensed clinical psychologist, and Director of the Sleep and Anxiety Center of Houston (SACH) at the University of Houston. Dr. Alfano's research program and clinical practice focuses on the role of sleep in the development of anxious and affective psychopathology and evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Dr. Alfano is a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and has served on the board of directors for the Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine (SBSM). She has published more than 70 scientific papers, articles, chapters, and books. She is co-editor of the book, Comprehensive Evidence-based Interventions for Children and Adolescents (John Wiley & Sons).
Licensing and Continuing Education Requirements
The Evidence-Based Practice Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. The Evidence-Based Practice Institute maintains responsibility for the program and its content. The Evidence-Based Practice Institute allocates 1.5 CE credits for this course following APA guidelines. After you successfully complete the course, fill out an evaluation form, and pass an exam, your CE certificate will be emailed to you.
Licensing and continuing education requirements vary by state. Please contact your state's regulatory authority to verify that this course meets your licensing and/or continuing education requirements.