Time

Activity

9:00am to 10:30am

Talk: Does my child have autism? Red flags and symptomatology

Speaker: Dr. Jan Harold Sia (M.D., Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician)

The presentation will be about the early signs of autism and the behaviors parents should be aware of in their children, common problems with misdiagnosis, how early a child can be diagnosed, best diagnostic tools to use in assessing children for autism, and complexities of ADHD and autism as separate and comorbid diagnoses.

10:30am to 10:45am

10:45am to 12:00nn

Talk: Common Challenging Behaviors

Speaker: Dr. Francis Xavier Dimalanta (M.D., Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician)

Children with autism can often display behaviors that may be different from typical children. To better understand challenging behaviors, this session will present the most common problems faced by families and schools in taking care of children with autism and also in their education in traditional schools and classes.

Talk: Medication and autism

Speaker: Dr. Francis Xavier Dimalanta (M.D., Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician)

Participants will also learn more about what does the science say about medications for children with autism. Commonly recommended medications will be discussed and the evidence for their use for various behavior problems.

12:00nn to 1:00pm

1:00pm to 2:45pm

Talk: Understanding Behaviors

Speaker: Mr. Toby Mountjoy (M.Sc., CPBA-AP, BCBA, Director)

Toby Mountjoy will present why children with autism have behavior problems and help participants understand why this population often display more challenges than typically developing children. He will also discuss why common behavior strategies can often be unsuccessful.

There are practical solutions to navigate challenging behaviors and maximize opportunities to learn. Mr. Mountjoy will share some case studies and strategies that have shown to be helpful and effective particularly in self-injury and aggression, throwing tantrum, crying, self-stimulatory behavior, Inattention and lack of focus and other common behavior problems.

2:45pm to 3:00pm

3:00pm to 4:00pm

Dr. Jan Harold Sia M.D., Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician

Dr. Jan Harold Sia is a fellow of the Philippine Society for Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, and is board certified in developmental-behavioral pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics.

He obtained his medical degree at the University of the Philippines Manila in 2002. He did his residency in Pediatrics at the State University of New York-Health Science Center in Brooklyn, NY and continued his three-year fellowship training in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at Yale-New Haven Medical Center, Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. He is also trained in specific parenting programs from the Yale Child Study Center, and the Yale Parenting Center & Child Conduct Clinic, which include Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Parent Management Training, and Parent Training for disruptive behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorders. After his fellowship he joined the Yale School of Medicine Faculty as a Clinical Instructor before coming home to the Philippines. In his private practice, he evaluates and treats children with a wide range of developmental and behavioral problems, including those related to foster care and adoption. Currently, he is also a member of the Board of Experts of Smart Parenting.

Dr. Francis Xavier Dimalanta M.D., Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrician

Dr. Dimalanta is a Fellow & Member of the Board of Trustees of the Phil Pediatric Society and the Phil Society for Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics. He is also the Head of the Section of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, Asst Head & former Residency Training Officer of the Institute of Pediatrics and Child Health at St Luke’s Medical Center -Global City.

Having been involved for the longest time in youth-oriented organizations like the Children’s International Summer Villages (CISV), coupled with his background in Psychology for his pre-Med, this may have, perhaps, caused him to focus on championing for children’s development, family empowerment and progressive education among others.

His expertise in the field of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics continues to be sought after while he unwaveringly promotes proper and optimal care for each child that is brought to his clinics.

It certainly is no surprise that he stands as Medical Director at three NGOs with a wide range of causes — all sharing similar tags: child, potential and future.

Mr. Toby Mountjoy M.Sc., CPBA-AP, BCBA, Director

Mr. Toby Mountjoy is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and holds a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis. With over 25 years of experience working with individuals with ASD, he has been extensively trained by Dr. Ronald Leaf, Dr. Mitchell Taubman and Dr. John McEachin.

Besides overseeing the Autism Partnership operation in Hong Kong, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Kuwait and Beijing, with over 500 staff, including psychologists, consultants and therapists, he has also provided consultations to school districts, agencies, and families worldwide. Mr. Mountjoy has also contributed chapters to publications such as “Sense & Nonsense” and “It’s Time for School”. In 2007, he founded the charitable Autism Partnership Foundation and AP School to offer more services for children with Autism.