Community Newsletter  
Spring 2014  

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To browse our archive of previous newsletters, please visit www.cnnh.org/news/newsletter-archive.


Mark Mintz Photo
AWordFromOurFounderA Word from our Founder
Discovery Drives Us. 

 

At CNNH, our clinicians are faced with diagnostic dilemmas on a daily basis. Our need to find answers drives us to push the limits of present knowledge and understanding of disease processes. 

 

Patients present with complex sets of symptoms and signs. The causes of these indicators and surrogate marketers of diseases and disorders are not always readily apparent. Our clinicians must work as a cohesive team to explore "beneath the surface," looking from the "inside" by measuring brain function and exploring for biological causes of problems and conditions rather than just addressing the "outside" expression of brain disorders that have labels such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, developmental disability, bipolar disorder, anxiety and more. One must remember that such diagnoses can be assigned without regard to the underlying biological causes or mechanisms leading to these manifestations.

 

Driven by curiosity, exploration and discovery, we continue to find new knowledge in searching for answers to diagnostic mysteries and questions. We are redefining these diagnoses by creating biological and clinical profiles, known as "phenotypes," rather than grouping individuals by common and ubiquitous symptoms. Such a personalized approach to medical care allows for treatments that are targeted to underlying causes, not just superficial symptoms. At CNNH, when indicated, we have incorporated the latest in neurological knowledge and technologies to reclassify diagnoses and better understand brain disorders based on genetic risks and susceptibilities ("genotype-phenotype" correlations), perturbations of cellular energy metabolism, advanced functional neurophysiological testing (electrical "brain imaging") and pharmacogenomics (assessing genes involved in medication metabolism and responsiveness). Along with information obtained from neuropsychological testing, neurological/neuropsychiatric examinations, analytical behavioral analyses, laboratory data, and more, we are helping our patients come to the end of a long and weary diagnostic journey. Such advanced diagnostic approaches can lead to targeted treatments, improved quality of life and cost-effective care for those with special needs. We continue to share our findings with the scientific community, and will be embarking on some new and exciting clinical research projects in the near future. Stay tuned!

 


HeadacheSymposiumHEADACHE SYMPOSIUM
Local Health Care Providers Come Together to Share Information about Headaches/Migraines

On Wednesday, June 18th, experts from five local health care organizations, representing a variety of specialities addressing headache and migraine management, will review the prevalence and risk factors for headaches, typical causes and the best practices used in treating them. 

 

The collaborative community event will be hosted by: 

 

CNNH 

250 Haddonfield-Berlin Road 

Suite 105 

Gibbsboro. NJ. 

 

Networking time, with refreshments, will be from 5:30pm to 6pm, followed by the panel presentation until 7:30pm. Tours of CNNH will also be offered following the presentation if anyone would like to stay. 

 

Panelists include:

  • Mary Campagnolo, M.D., M.B.A., Virtua Family Medicine of Mansfield
  • Benjamin Rosenblum, M.D., Advocare Atrium Pediatrics
  • Loretta Mueller, D.O., FACOFP, The Headache Center at Kennedy Health Alliance
  • Michael Galloway, O.D., Pediatric Optometry & Vision Therapy
  • Madeline Chadehumbe, M.D., CNNH 

The event is FREE! Click the link below to register, it's not too late!

 

Comprehensive and Holistic Headache Management Symposium

Wednesday June 18, 2014 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM EDT

 


THE BENEFITS OF LEGO THERAPY MSNBC
CNNH Experts Share Evidenced-Based Therapy with Viewers of MSNBC

Kathleen Nace, MT-BC, NMT and Sarah Woldoff, Ph.D. appeared on MSNBC2 Technology Livestream on Tuesday, June 10th to share the benefits of LEGO Therapy for children with special needs. The entire program focused on the use of LEGO's in getting students excited about learning. CNNH experts explained how LEGO's are used to teach social skills with children with autism and other neurological concerns.   






AdvocacyCornerADVOCACY CORNER 
Family Voices Make a Difference 

CNNH hosts a representative from the Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN), Deepa Srinivasavaradan, in the Gibbsoro office. She is available to offer families guidance in navigating special education rights in the state of New Jersey. The best way to reach her is by email at [email protected]

Ms. Srinivasavaradan also brings us advocacy information in each newsletter issue. Enjoy! 

Did You Know?
  • More than one in five families has at least one child with special health care needs - 23% of families.
  • Approximately 14.6 million children ages 0-17 years in the US have special health care needs. That's nearly 20%.
  • The health care needs of these children may be physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional and represent a wide range of conditions including autism, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, intellectual disabilities, depression, learning disabilities, and epilepsy.
  • Children with special health care needs often have more than one condition and functional difficulties in more than one area that impacts their daily lives, such as breathing, communicating, chronic pain, learning, moving around, behavior, or challenges in making and keeping friends.
  • Their families typically experience greater stress with high out-of-pocket medical expense, navigating multiple and complex systems of care, and struggling to meet the needs of their child for specific health care services. These families are less likely to have adequate health insurance and family-centered health care.

Family Voices is a national, nonprofit, family-led organization promoting quality health care for all children and youth, particularly those with special health care needs. Working with family leaders and professional partners at the local, state, regional, and national levels since 1992, Family Voices has brought a respected family perspective to improving health care programs and policies and ensuring that health care systems include, listen to, and honor the voices of families. Through their national office and 44 state affiliates, they provide:

  • Information, training, and support to thousands of families and professionals throughout the country about current issues in health care through the Family-to-Family Health Information Centers.
  • Information and tools for families to make informed decisions about their children's health care.
  • Monthly and quarterly publications reach over 2,000 individuals.
  • 1:1 family support, peer mentoring, and leadership development.
  • National office works at the federal level with Congress and others to ensure important programs are funded and that health policy is family-centered; state affiliates impact programs and policies in their own states, ensuring that the voices families are heard.

 

National Family Voices:  http://www.familyvoices.org/

 

In New Jersey:  Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) is the NJ State Affiliate Organization for Family Voices and NJ's Family to Family Health Information Center (F2F HIC). Contact: Lauren Agoratus, NJ Family Voices Coordinator, and Mercedes Rosa, Director of NJ F2F HIC, (800)654-7726, www.spannj.org 
 

 

 

In Pennsylvania:  Contact Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center, the Pennsylvania State Affiliate Organization for Family Voices and Pennsylvania's F2F HIC, at (866) 950-1040, www.pealcenter.org 

 


teacher-jigsaw-puzzle.jpg
CATCLASSES FILLING FAST FOR CREATIVE ARTS THERAPY AND SOCIAL SKILLS
Register Before It's Too Late!

Creative Arts summer classes run from July 7th through September 15th in CNNH - Gibbsboro and CNNH - King of Prussia.  Click here for more information or contact Kathleen Nace at 855-852-8150 x1409. 

Also, click here to learn about our Social Skills Summer Camp in August.

TeamCNNH
JOIN TEAM CNNH
Have fun. Get fit. Give back.

As you may know, Team CNNH provides community service through participation in charity events throughout the year. Participation by the community is welcome! It is a lot of fun and a great way to connect with the CNNH community and beyond. 

If you are interested in learning more, please email Sandra Lewis and we will contact you about upcoming events.


CommunityWkpUPCOMING COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS
Free Workshops Provide Education and Support

Be sure to stay tuned to www.cnnh.org/events to stay informed on our upcoming workshops!

June

Presented by: A Collaborative Community Panel of Experts
Held at CNNH - Gibbsboro

Presented by: Sarah Woldoff, PhD., CNNH & Deepa Srinivasavaradan, SPAN
Held at CNNH - Gibbsboro

July 

Presented by: Mark Mintz, M.D., CNNH
Hosted by: NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome

September 

Presented by: Sarah Woldoff, PhD., CNNH & Deepa Srinivasavaradan, SPAN
Held at CNNH - Gibbsboro



CNNH HAPPENINGSHappeningsFuture


FUTURE EVENTS
 
Visit www.cnnh.org/events to keep up-to-date with all of our upcoming events and other community activities. 

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & COLLABORATIONS

CDC's Act Early Ambassador for NJ
Deepa Srinivasavaradan (a SPAN representative working at CNNH - Gibbsboro) was named the CDC's Act Early Ambassador for NJ!

The Act Early Ambassador project is designed to develop a network of state-level experts to improve early identification practices. It is a collaborative effort on behalf of CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs (AMCHP) to improve early identification of developmental delay and collaborate with state agencies and campaign partners to improve policy and programs for early identification.

Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania
CNNH will host a support group on July 22nd and September 23rd in the CNNH - King of Prussia location. 

EXHIBITS
September 20th at the RiverSharks Stadium

September 27th in Souderton, Pennsylvania

SPONSORSHIPS
CNNH is supporting the "Summer Stroll" Walk on June 21st

CNNH HAPPENINGSHappeningsPast
 
 
PAST EVENTS
late February 2014 - early June 2014


PRESENTATIONSHappenings2
New Jersey Alliance for Children, Youth and Families
Mark Mintz, M.D. participated on a panel at NJACYF's "Meeting the Needs of Youth with Different Abilities: The Future of Intellectual Disability Services in New Jersey" on March 6th. Dr. Mintz also co-presented a Break-Out Session entitled "An Innovative Interdisciplinary Model for Health Care Delivery for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities."

The Advancement for the Betterment of Children with Disabilities (ABCD)
Mark Mintz, M.D. presented to the membership of ABCD on the status of healthcare on March 14th at Eden Services in Hamilton, NJ. 

New Jersey Education Association
Sarah Woldoff, Ph.D. presented "Managing ADHD at Home and in the Classroom" at NJEA's Exceptional Children Conference on March 29th in Princeton, NJ.

Contemporary Nursing Forums
Lisa Alberts presented "Autism and The DSM-V" to nurses on April 3rd in Philadelphia.

Learning Disabilities Association of New Jersey
Sarah Woldoff, Ph.D. and Gregory Alberts, Ph.D. presented at the Learning Disabilities Association of NJ's statewide conference on learning disabilities on April 12th in New Brunswick, NJ. Dr. Woldoff presented on "Understanding the Complex Needs of Neurologically Complex Children" and Dr. Alberts presented on "Attention and Learning Problems: The Chicken and the Egg Dilemma."

CHOP Developmental Disabilities Conference
Kathleen Nace, MT-BC, NMT, together with an occupational and speech therapist from Bancroft participated in a collaborative creative arts presentation on May 9th at CHOP in Philadelphia. 

International Child Neurology Association
Mark Mintz, M.D., presented on "Unexpected Subclinical Spikes: Clinical and Neuropsychological Correlations" May 5-8 in Iguazu Falls, Brazil. Co-authors from CNNH were Maliheh Mohamadpour, M.D.; Jeff Keating, Ph.D.; Madeline Chadehumbe, M.D.; Greg Alberts, Ph.D.; Sarah Woldoff, Ph.D.; Laura Szklarski, B.S.

Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center - Willingboro, NJ
Madeline Chadehumbe, M.D. presented during hospital rounds for other medical practitioners on Headaches and Migraines on June 4th. 

Community Workshops
"Developing Transition Services"
Sarah Woldoff, Ph.D. presented this topic at the Katz JCC and JFCS Special Needs in Cherry Hill on March 10th.

"Using Creative Arts Therapy in Addressing Tourette Syndrome and Other Related Concerns"
Kathleen Nace, MT-BC, NMT presented this topic on March 18th, hosted by Eastern PA Tourette Syndrome Association.

"Using Creative Arts in Therapy" (Webinar)
Kathleen Nace, MT-BC, NMT presented this topic on March 26th, hosted by NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome.

"Autism: The Differential Diagnosis and Sibling Monitoring" (Webinar)
Sarah Woldoff, Ph.D. presented this topic in conjunction with the Epilepsy Foundation of NJ on April 29th.

"Next Steps" Parent Meeting
Sarah Woldoff, Ph.D. and Deepa Srinivasavaradan led a meeting for parents of children recently diagnosed with a neurological concern on April 8th at CNNH in Gibbsboro. 


PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & COLLABORATIONS 
NeurAbilities: Art in Motion 2014
Benefiting NeurAbilities, this annual summer extravaganza celebrated performers and artists of all levels and abilities in three recitals throughout the day. Come join us next year! Here are some pictures from the event:


Cherry Hill Rotary: An Afternoon of Music
CNNH's Creative Arts program participated in "An Afternoon of Music" hosted by the Cherry Hill Rotary Club on March 2nd

 

Top Doctors: New York Metro Area
CNNH's Ronald Barabas, M.D. was named to the 2014 Castle Connolly Guide of Top Medical Specialists for the New York Metro Area!

 

South Jersey Magazine's Top Children's Physicians Recognition
CNNH's Harold Marks, M.D. and Mark Mintz, M.D. were named 2014 Top Children's Physicians for Pediatric Neurology by South Jersey Magazine! 

Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania
CNNH hosted a support group meeting in the CNNH - King of Prussia office. 
 

EXHIBITS
Moorestown SpEAC on April 12th in Moorestown, NJ

Autism Speaks / A-Team Spring-Ford Family Fun Day at Spring Valley YMCA in Royersford, PA on April 12th

NJ School Psychology Association on May 9th in East Windsor, NJ

American Academy of Pediatrics of NJ on May 14th in Edison, NJ.

Autism Speaks Walk on May 17th in Southern NJ

ARC of New Jersey on May 30th in Princeton, NJ


SPONSORSHIPS
Rotary Club of Cherry Hill
CNNH sponsored "An Afternoon of Music" on March 2nd.

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey
CNNH was a sponsor of the Paint the Pony Purple event on March 30th in Asbury Park, NJ

Learning Disabilities Association of New Jersey
CNNH was a sponsor at LDANJ statewide conference on learning disabilities on April 12th in New Brunswick, NJ.
 
Voorhees SPEAK
CNNH was a sponsor of the Voorhees SPEAK organization. 
 
Family Fun Day at Spring Valley YMCA with Autism Speaks
CNNH was a sponsor of this family event on April 12th. 
 
American Association of Pediatrics of NJ
CNNH was a sponsor of the AAP/NJ conference on May 14th. 
 
Chabad Lubavitch
CNNH was a sponsor of the Chabad Founders Dinner on June 11th


Team CNNH
2014 Hazon Philly Environmental Bike Tour: Ride the Pines
Mark Mintz, M.D. & Pnina Mintz, Ph.D. participated in this bike event on June 8th.


Gibbsboro, NJ  
�  Rutherford, NJ

Wall Township, NJ 
�  King of Prussia, PA
 
P: 855.852.8150     F: 856.784.1799
"The staff members at CNNH are unparalleled in their professionalism and passion to see our children succeed. I searched a long time to find a place like this for my children. It's a rare organization that can boast of such dynamic clinicians and diverse services."
- Jacqui E., mother of two sons with autism
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