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SCMC Conference Focuses on Clinical Skills & Advances in Care

2016-10-14 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , , , , , , ,

Developmental behavioral pediatrics is a rapidly evolving field. However, in China it is still an emerging field with insufficient professionals and establishment of relevant programs. Both pediatricians and educators are confronted with serious challenges in diagnosis and treatment. In order to improve diagnosis of pediatric disorders and treatment quality, “Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Conference,” a national continuing medical education program, was held in Shanghai from 22nd to 26th June 2016. This conference was held by Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, affiliated with the School of Medicine at Shanghai Jiaotong University, attracting more than 100 healthcare providers devoted to developmental behavioral pediatrics. LIH HealthCare played a key role during the conference through the participation of several of our experienced clinicians.

The conference focused on clinical practical skills including standard treatment of pediatric disorders and differential diagnosis. Lecturers explained complex theories clearly and concisely. From basic introduction to clinical treatment, the content was well organized with prominent themes and a high-level of precision. All participants showed strong enthusiasm and took part in discussions. The conference was well received and questions put forward by participants were satisfactorily answered. In addition, the conference summarized new advances in developmental behavioral pediatrics in China to encourage healthcare providers to promote best practices.

img_2910A few experts were invited for this conference: Dr. Mark Simms, Director of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, who has helped to establish and advance developmental behavioral pediatrics in China over the past ten years; Professor Jin Xingming, leader of the National Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Group; and Professor Zhang Yiwen, Director of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics at Shanghai Children’s Medical Center. Meanwhile, Nelson Chow, CEO of LIH Healthcare, gave a keynote address at the conference, highlighting the mission of LIH Healthcare to support to support the field of developmental behavioral pediatrics in China.

Also, Dr. Susan Cadzow, Director of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics at LIH Healthcare, presented on Infant Mental Health. Dr. Cadzow is a Behavioral/Developmental and General Pediatrician from Australia, and has worked in China for more than five years, she has extensive clinical and teaching experience in the areas of developmental and behavioral pediatrics, general pediatric medicine, and neuro-disability. In addition, Dr. Cadzow undertook further training and research in child protection and infant mental health.

Clinical psychology in China is not as well developed as in the USA or Europe. When it comes to infant mental health, there are very few resources and research on this area here. Very few people are aware that babies may have mental problems and can benefit from mental health support as adults do. During Dr. Cadzow’s presentation, she introduced “What is Infant Mental Health?,” and “What is Attachment Theory” to an audience which included pediatricians, therapists, and other pediatric clinicians. Through case sharing, Dr. Cadzow explained the risk factors and effects of early adverse experiences. She also helped the audience to understand how to identify infant mental health problems and how to promote good infant mental health. With the data analysis, case sharing and demonstration, and theoretical explanation provided by Dr. Cadzow, the audience gained a better understanding what pediatricians and other clinicians who treat babies should know about infant mental health and where to find resources.

After the conference, Professor Mark Simms was invited by LIH HealthCare CEO Nelson Chow to visit LIH Olivia’s Place Shanghai. During the visit, Professor Simms was impressed by LIH HealthCare’s efforts to support the development of rehabilitation services in China. During the meeting, Professor Simms and Nelson had a great discussion on how to further Development Behavioral Pediatrics in China, how to support rehabilitative care, and how to work together to bring recent advances in theory and practice to China.

LIH Healthcare is dedicated to supporting the advancement of developmental behavioral pediatrics and will always contribute to the field of pediatric rehabilitation. We believe that pioneers in this field will apply what they have learned to clinical practice and attract more healthcare providers to improving children’s quality of life in China.


Doctors, Teachers, and Therapists Join Hands to Reach out to Shanghai’s Kids

2013-08-08 Olivia's Place Comments Off , ,
The following article was written by Dr. Laura Lofy.

 by Dr. Laura Lofy.

Currently, there is no systematic process to coordinate the identification, treatment, and education of young children with disabilities in China. Typically, professionals in the fields of medicine, rehabilitation, special education, and regular education work independently with little to no cross-discipline collaboration. This situation is somewhat akin to the Chinese tale about the blind men feeling the elephant, and mistaking each single part for the whole. In this case, it is the comprehensive understanding of the whole child that is lost.

The good news is that Shanghai Children’s Medical (SCMC) is trying to change this state of affairs. Under the leadership of developmental pediatricians Zhang Yi Wen, MD, and Jiang Fan, MD, SCMC is collaborating with public preschools throughout Pudong District (Shanghai) to pilot a system of early identification for children suspected of autism and other developmental delays. These doctors truly “get it.” While they know that children with severe disabilities usually find placements in China’s special education schools, they are also cognizant of the reality that there are many children with mild to moderate impairments who are not formally diagnosed and who struggle in regular education settings. Moreover, these health care professionals understand that regular education teachers and parents need training and support in order to raise and educate children who have extra challenges.

Olivia’s Place has been lending a hand to SCMC’s laudable endeavors by providing technical assistance and training related to autismSCMC 3 assessment, as well as participating in the first round of assessments. And, now that the channels of communication between the doctors and the educators have been opened, it is clear that there is more need and more desire for collaboration that will benefit Shanghai’s children.

SCMC is currently developing a series of parent and teacher trainings on topics that affect the lives of children on the autism spectrum. Olivia’s Place therapists may have a chance to play a meaningful role in the second phase of this project as well, by delivering trainings on topics in which they have expertise, such as positive behavior support, sensory processing motor planning, and effective instruction. We are excited to join hands with the compassionate physicians at SCMC and the motivated administrators in Pudong’s public preschools so that we can support their efforts to reach out to Shanghai’s children.


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