Event Format: Hybrid
MUHC Research Institute Auditorium (Glen Site)
Virtual Participants:
Join via Zoom
Organizers
Shuvo Ghosh
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician, Montreal Children’s Hospital, Montreal, QC
Bio
Eva-Flore Bui-Xuan
Child and adolescent psychiatrist, Chief, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Montreal Children's Hospital, Montreal, QC
Bio
David Rothstein
Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC
Bio
Terry Sigman
Director, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Montreal Children's Hospital, MUHC, Montreal, QC
Bio
John Yaremko
Pediatrician, Montreal Children's Hospital, Assistant Professor, McGill University, Montreal, QC
BioAgenda
All presentations will be given in English.
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify when evidence-based pharmacological treatment for pediatric depression and anxiety should be initiated in primary care;
- Apply safe and effective principles of medication titration, including dose optimization and monitoring of response and adverse effects;
- Recognize clinical red flags and thresholds indicating the need for referral to child and adolescent psychiatry.
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
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1. Differentiate developmentally appropriate behaviors from clinically significant behavioral disturbances in neurodiverse children and adolescents;
2. Implement first-line, non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies for managing behavioral dysregulation in primary care;
3. Identify complex presentations requiring interdisciplinary or specialized psychiatric referral.
A Psychiatric Perspective for Clinicians
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
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1. Recognize common presentations of somatic symptom and functional disorders in pediatric practice and understand their biopsychosocial underpinnings;
2. Develop effective communication strategies with patients and families to validate symptoms while avoiding unnecessary investigations;
3. Establish clear management pathways, including indications for mental health referral and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
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1. Identify the common presentations of early developmental impairment;
2. Understand the varying etiologies that present with developmental delay;
3. Gain insight on the cultural factors that play a role in assessment of delays.
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
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1. Differentiate ADHD from other causes of inattention;
2. Understand why management of inattention must consider context;
3. Appropriately identify patients with inattentive behaviours.
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
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1. Name the common psychological, psychoeducational, and neuropsychological tests that are used to assess pre-school and school-age children;
2. Understand the way psych tests are interpreted and scored;
3. Better utilise psychological reports in medical decision-making.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Recognize and differentiate common mental health, developmental, behavioral, and functional presentations in children and adolescents, including mood and anxiety disorders, neurodevelopmental differences, inattention, somatic symptoms, and early developmental delays.
- Distinguish developmentally appropriate behaviors from clinically significant concerns, taking into account age, context, culture, neurodiversity, and environmental factors.
- Apply evidence-based assessment and management strategies in primary care, including first-line non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions where appropriate.
- Prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications safely and effectively for pediatric anxiety, depression, and behavioral dysregulation, including appropriate titration and monitoring for adverse effects.
- Communicate effectively with children, adolescents, and families to validate concerns, explain diagnoses and assessments (including psychological testing), and support shared decision-making while avoiding unnecessary investigations.
- Identify clinical red flags and thresholds for referral, and collaborate effectively with child psychiatry, psychology, developmental pediatrics, and multidisciplinary teams for complex or high-risk presentations.
Registration
Early-Bird Deadline: April 15, 2026
$50 rebate available until February 15
Registration Fees
The registration fees listed below are subject to GST/PST.
Registration fees include access to the in-person event including welcome coffee, coffee breaks and lunch.
CATEGORY |
EARLY-BIRD FEE |
STANDARD FEE |
|---|---|---|
Physician |
$475 |
$575 |
Nurses, Allied Health Practitioners, Residents, Students |
$300 |
$350 |
Declaration of Potential Conflict of Interest
Speakers will be requested to disclose to the audience any real or apparent conflict(s) of interest that may have a direct bearing on the subject matter of this program.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Full refunds, less an administrative fee of $50 for physicians and $25 for all other categories, will be made for written cancellations received by May 12, 2026. Please note that all refunds will be issued only after the Conference. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after May 12, 2026. For cancellation, please contact:


