This conference promises to bring together different professionals mainly within CAMHS and Intellectual Disability and present their latest work.

A two day annual conference where CAIDPN members and other delegates will have the opportunity to hear from experts about their focussed area of work and get updates on:

• The holistic management of Self-Injurious Behaviour in Children & Young People with Autism and Learning Disability
• Autism, Ethnicity and Culture
• Sensory integration in Learning Disability and Mental Health
• ‘Understanding and Treating OCD in young people with ASD’ along with adaptations in those with Intellectual Disability
• Catatonia, shutdown and breakdown in autistic individuals

The event is open to all clinicians working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Intellectual Disability and other groups with special interest in the topics being presented.

This is a two-day event which aims to present the knowledge and latest research by national and international experts. It would provide an opportunity to learn about novel developments, exchange ideas on key topics between clinicians/other professionals who have shared interests and facilitate a space to get together/socialise.

Dr. Caroline Richards, Senior Lecturer in Neurodevelopmental Disorders & Clinical Psychologist, University of Birmingham

Dr. Richards leads a programme of research at the University of Birmingham which aims to improve clinical outcomes for children with intellectual disability, autism and rare genetic syndromes. She use experimental, epidemiological, single case and meta-analytic techniques to delineate risk markers, improve precision in models of mechanism and develop novel, proactive interventions. Her work on self-injurious behaviour in children with intellectual disabilities is funded by the Medical Research Council, Medical Research Foundation, Cerebra and the Baily Thomas Charitable Fund. https://carolinerichards.net/ https://www.cerebranetwork.com/

Dr Ken Greaves, Chartered Psychologist, KMG Consultancy Ltd. London

Dr. Ken Greaves specialises in working with children, young people and adults who have Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or related neuro-diverse conditions. He has worked as a Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist for many years and as a Specialist Consultant Psychologist for Cambridge University.

Ken currently provides therapeutic support for adolescents and adults who have Asperger Syndrome. He is part of the clinical diagnostic team at the Lorna Wing Centre and a consultant for the National Autistic Society (NAS). He has extensive experience in working with people from Minority Ethnic communities and is currently writing a chapter on Autism, Ethnicity and Culture for a book on EP practice.

Ros Urwin, MSc (Rehabilitation Science) Dip COT (Consultant Occupational Therapist)

Clinician, Lecturer, Mentor, Research Active (EASI Lead England) and mother, gardener, dog walker and sailor…

Ros is a Director of Mindsenseability MSA, an innovative, independent practice in the New Forest, England. An integrated education and therapy practice, working with young people (aged 25 years and under) who have Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism and associated diagnoses, including Sensory Integration (SI) difficulties, Ros works within a multi-disciplinary health and education team; Ros also works with adults. As an occupational therapist, Ros has sought to engage individuals with difficulties participating in daily life (self-care, leisure and learning/work) to be able to reach their goals; latterly focusing on how difficulties in sensory processing and integration contribute to the underlying foundations for successful occupation and participation.

Ros completed her MSc (Rehabilitation Science) at Southampton University in 2003. Published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy in 2005, she explored the effectiveness of Sensory Integrative Therapy on five adults with learning disabilities and sensory modulation disorders.

Ros has worked for over 30 years in the NHS in Dorset and Hampshire, latterly as Professional OT Lead and the clinical for Intellectual Disabilities across the lifespan. She was previously a recognised teacher, mentor and e-mentor with Ulster University, while the Education Director at SI Network.

Ros’ Sensory Integration (SI) journey began when working with adults with profound intellectual disabilities and mental health problems in the 1990s.

Ros has held various roles on the Board of Directors at SI Network including Postgraduate Education Director, with responsibility for the development of the Masters’ pathway in Sensory Integration with Ulster University. She continues to present at national and international conferences to occupational therapists and wider audiences.

Ros provides invaluable supervision and mentorship to colleagues, staff and students. In recent years, Ros has volunteered with a local charity, taking students and OT students to work with Romanian volunteers and OT students on summer projects with disadvantaged young people with disabilities in Romania.

ASI Wise was established in 2017 to deliver Ayres’ Sensory Integration education to occupational therapists in the UK and Ireland. This organisation delivers the CLASI CASI programme and has membership of ICEASI.

Ros is the EASI Lead for England and has mentored and rated Fidelity for the Cardiff University NIHR SENITA Study, exploring the application of Ayres’ Sensory Integration for children with Autism in the UK.

Kathryn (Kath) Smith, Consultant Occupational Therapist, Research Active EASI UK and Ireland Lead

BSc (OT), MRCOT, Director ASI Wise and MBB Connections

Kath’s postgraduate education in Ayres’ Sensory Integration started in the early 1990s while she was working in a CAMHS setting in South Africa, including with young people with trauma and in secure accommodation. On moving to the UK, Kath’s passion for ASI informed the innovation of services and products to support clients across the lifespan with sensory integration challenges; including assessment tools, parenting skills card, care pathways and intervention resources.

Building on her experience using SI within learning disability services, Kath combined DBT and Sensory Integration creating practical solutions for use in acute mental health. In 2002, her development and application of Sensory Ladders to support clients with trauma was visionary. As a 2005 Medical Futures Award finalist, Kath established The Sensory Project to promote ASI across the lifespan; with the creation of the Parenting Through the Senses programme. Her All About Me sensory formulations to promote self-regulation in mental health; with reduced inpatient admissions, use of restraint alongside improved anticipation in everyday life. With her growing expertise and innovative practice of ASI across the lifespan, Kath was invited to collaborate with Ros Urwin to develop and lecture the application of SI beyond Childhood, an area as yet unchartered by SI Network. Kath has published in peer-reviewed journals about the application of Ayres SI across the lifespan.

‘In recognition of her clinical ability, innovative spirit and passion to develop Sensory Integration approaches for mental health settings’, in 2007 she was awarded ‘Occupational Therapist of the Year’ by the British Association of Occupational Therapy/College of Occupational Therapists. As an accredited university lecturer and researcher, since 2005, Kath has explored and developed innovative teaching and learning methods, combining face to face and online technology to create early blended learning solutions; including telehealth. A member of the ICEASI Committee, representing therapists from the UK and Ireland, Kath is EASI Regional Lead for UK and Ireland Research Project.

Established in 2017 to safeguard occupational therapist-led Ayres’ Sensory Integration across the UK and Ireland, ASI Wise delivers the ICEASI accredited CLASI Certification in Ayres Sensory Integration (CASI). Kath’s passion for supporting others to learn about Ayres’ Sensory Integration is evident in her enthusiasm for promoting and sharing ways of working alongside those with sensory integration and processing challenges.

Dr. Victoria Hallett is a Senior Clinical Psychologist at the National and Specialist OCD, BDD and Related Disorders Service for Children and Young People (South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust). She has worked at the service since 2015, providing specialist assessment and evidence-based treatment to children and young people with OCD across the country. This includes clinic-based treatment as well as intensive and home-based packages and consultation to clinicians across the UK.

Tori has a strong interest in clinical academic research, working with world-leading teams at the Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience and previously at Yale University. She is a peer-reviewed author, with research focusing on OCD, childhood anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). She is particularly enthusiastic about developing and delivering tailored psychological interventions for young people with ASD and their families.

Dr. Sasha Walters is a Senior Clinical Psychologist currently working part time in the South London and Maudsley National and Specialist CAMHS OCD, BDD & RD Team and part time with the Oxford Health Specialist Psychological Intervention Centre. Sasha completed a PhD at Cardiff University in 2010 exploring children’s cognitive and behavioural responses to inter-parental conflict. She then qualified as a clinical psychologist in 2015 from the University of Bath DClinPsy course, directed by Professor Paul Salkovskis. Sasha is a BABCP accredited practitioner and has spent her qualified career delivering specialist CBT to young people experiencing anxiety disorders, OCD and emetophobia.

Dr. Amitta Shah, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Leading Edge Psychology & Associate Consultant at the Lorna Wing Centre of the National Autistic Society.Dr. Amitta Shah is a Clinical Psychologist with over 40 years clinical and research experience in children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.  She has worked extensively in the NHS Psychology Departments and the Medical Research Council. Dr. Shah has been involved in various large-scale studies of Autism, Learning Disability and complex behaviour patterns including Catatonia with late Dr. Lorna Wing and colleagues at the Medical Research Council and The National Autistic Society.

Dr. Shah’s clinical experience in autism is extensive and unusual. She has worked  with both children and adults and with individuals across the whole  Autistic Spectrum ranging from those with severe intellectual difficulties to those who are high functioning, and individuals with complex co-morbid presentations and needs. Dr. Shah has special expertise in the assessment and management of secondary behaviour and mental health breakdown in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.  It is in this context that she developed an interest and expertise in Catatonia and related breakdown conditions in Autism.  She now has a national and international reputation  as one of the very few professionals with extensive clinical experience and expertise on this aspect of autism. She has written a book to provide guidance on diagnosis, understanding and management of catatonia and associated shutdown and breakdown in autistic individuals.

Currently, Dr Shah works as an independent consultant clinical psychologist at Leading Edge Psychology and as an associate consultant at the Lorna Wing Centre of the National Autistic Society.   She is frequently commissioned to advise NHS teams on complex cases of Autism, and to provide expert second opinion, clinical consultancy and training.

Book Reference

Shah, A. (2019).  Catatonia, Shutdown and Breakdown in Autism: A Psycho-Ecological Approach. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Dr. Pru-Allington Smith. Pru was a Consultant Psychiatrist for Children with Intellectual Disabilities who worked both in a Community service based in Coventry and at the Brooklands Tier 4 Adolescent Inpatient Unit from 1998 till retirement in 2017.  Pru was previously secretary in CAIDPN and has had many leadership positions at the Royal College of Psychiatrists and other national bodies.  She was on the NHS England Children and Young People’s Mental Health Taskforce and has co-authored the College report on Psychiatric Services for Children with an Intellectual Disability.  She is currently Consultant Child Psychiatrist for specialist children’s homes run by Young Foundations, and several residential special schools in the SENAD group.

Dr. Sarah Bernard. Sarah has been Consultant Psychiatrist with the Mental Health of Intellectual Disability team, within National & Specialist CAMHS at the Maudsley Hospital for over 25 years. She is the Clinical Director for the CAMHS South London Partnership Provider Collaborative. She has an interest in rare disorders, including Prader Willi Syndrome and Neural Tube defects (Spina Bifida), complex physical disabilities associated with ID, the assessment of parents with ID, and the MHA and MCA in relation to young people with ID.  Sarah has been involved with the development of mental health services for children and young people with ID at a national and international level. She has links with a number of third sector organisations. She also has advisory roles with NHS England.

Dr. Karen Bretherton. Karen worked as the Consultant Psychiatrist for Children with Intellectual Disabilities at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust for nearly 22 years, retiring in April 2020. Her main interest was with service development and developing home based interventions to assess and treat children at home. Karen was previous Chair of the CAIDPN and worked on the NICE Guidelines for  Assessment and Treatment of Children and Adults with ADHD.  Following her retirement, she contributed to Care Education and Treatment reviews and then returned to work part-time at Chesterfield Royal CAMHS service from February 2021.

Dr. Ashley Liew. Ashley is Consultant Paediatric Neuropsychiatrist at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. He was previously a Clinical Lead and Psychiatrist for CAMHS-ID in Birmingham. He specialises in complex neurodevelopmental disorders comorbid with neurological disorders like epilepsy and neuroinflammatory conditions. Ashley is currently Secretary for CAIDPN and has advisory roles at NHS England, NICE and RCPsych. He has academic roles at the Universities of Birmingham and Warwick, and co-chairs the Scientific Committee of the Smith-Magenis Syndrome Foundation. He also has interests in medical education and digital technology.

CAIDPN is a group of psychiatrists across the UK and Ireland who work with children who have an intellectual disability and mental health needs. The role of the network is to encourage sharing of skills, knowledge and experience, to provide peer supCAIDPN is a group of psychiatrists across the UK and Ireland who work with children who have an intellectual disability and mental health needs.

This includes working with academic partners to advance clinical research that will benefit the care and services for this group of young people. We aim to arrange four conferences each year which support continuing professional development and allow networking and peer discussion of complex cases.