January 2024 

Message from the President:

As the current president of AAPdN 2023-2024, welcome to our website and hopefully soon to one of our workshops, Genetic Disorders in Children and Adolescents on Saturday, January 27, 2024 (register here), and/or the 10th Annual Conference, Complexities Beyond Simplicity: Relevant Issues in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, April 19-21, 2024, with a possible preconference workshop evening on April 18, 2024 (TBD). Some of the conference topics will be related to these disorders, such as the motor network, psychopharmacology, ADHD, ASD, epilepsy, and ethics. In all talks, the goal is to integrate our mission and vision into them.

Since the beginning of 2023, we have been working hard to meet our current mission by facilitating a more inclusive and diverse perspective in the field of pediatric neuropsychology. The fuel behind the AAPdN engine continues to be the energy and determination of several individuals who have a passion for maintaining a strong organization that facilitates training and research for the members of our field and related fields. I want to thank Dr. Grace Mucci for leading the team. Currently, this work has been focused on

1) Ensuring ongoing financial stability of the academy through fiscally responsible non-profit principles with the assistance of our Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by our treasurer, Dr. Judy Ho.




2) Continuing to be involved with support for different important issues relevant to pediatric neuropsychology by staying up-to-date with what is happening across the nation in legislation that potentially impacts our field, such as in women’s health care and the rights of individuals. We are relieved that Florida voted to allow the AP psychology high school course curriculum to be taught in its entirety, including topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity.




3) Following some of the September 2022 Minnesota Conference proposed guidelines for neuropsychology training by weaving these recommendations into the infrastructure of our organization.  Dr. Christy Hom, the current AAPdN Board’s secretary, is chairing the JEDI committee (i.e., Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion).  We would value your input to the committee by being on this committee and/or sharing your ideas and thoughts with the committee.




4) Updating the ABPdN boarding process to provide a clearer and more user-friendly format for those pursuing a diplomate.  This is being addressed through increasing mentoring for prospective diplomates and Dr. Pete Dodzik’s chairing of the Examination Committee (boarded members—we would love to have your participation on this committee; other members—we welcome your input as well to help the Examination Committee). If you are aspiring to become board certified by ABPdN, please visit the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology’s new website, where you can register, request a mentor, review the study materials, and begin the application process.




5) Continuing to address cutting-edge issues in pediatric neuropsychology by providing up-to-date training to those in pediatric neuropsychology and related fields through our annual conference, half-day and full-day workshops, monthly Journal Club (free to members and students!), and home study program. The continuing education committee and its subcommittees are overseen by myself and Dr. Grace Mucci.  If you are interested in helping with the Continuing Education Committee and its subcommittees, please contact us. You can be part of deciding the next CE opportunities!




6) Further developing our Student Committee with consultation from Dr. Lori Wasserman, AAPdN Member-At-Large.  For example, we are working toward more consistent funding of students so that at least some of them can attend conferences. Also, the majority of our workshops and Journal Club are free for students.

We thank you for your membership and value your thoughts and participation to help with the ongoing process of providing current continuing education and ensuring competency in the field of pediatric neuropsychology. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me at pmittelstadt@msn.com.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Nelson, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, ABPdN

Current AAPdN President for 2024-2025