Saturday, June 13 (In Person Only)

8:00 – 9:45 am EDT

Session: Common Skills in FND Assessment

Co-Chairs: Sarah C. Lidstone, MD, PhD, and David L. Perez, MD, MMSc, FAAN

Opening Remarks
Sarah C. Lidstone, MD, PhD, and David L. Perez, MD, MMSc, FAAN

History and Communication
Sara Finkelstein, MD, MSc

Examination Skills in FND: Positive Signs
Alex Lehn, MD

Basics of Mechanisms
David L. Perez, MD, MMSc, FAAN

The Role of Education
Glenn Nielsen, PhD
 

10:00 – 2:00 pm EDT

Concurrent Workshop Tracks: Treatment Skills in FND, the "How To"

There are four (4) concurrent tracks. You will be asked to select one track to attend for the day.
 

Neurology Track

The Neurology Track will offer four 45-minute interactive workshops that are geared to any health care provider who may be diagnosing or managing FND or is involved in the care of FND patients and wants to familiarize themselves with the current standard of care. The workshops will cover the continuum of care from diagnosis to treatment of FND. The first workshop in this track focuses on communicating a diagnosis of FND and the importance of positive signs, diagnostic explanation, education, and next steps. The second is focused on triage and treatment planning, where participants will learn what to look for in an assessment that indicates readiness for treatment, and how to test engagement to maximize recovery potential. The third workshop covers identifying and managing neurological and psychiatric comorbidities in FND patients, who may have complex presentations and concerns. The final workshop will provide practical skills and tips at a more advanced level for treating FND at the bedside or in the clinic. Please note that much of the content provided would also be suitable for pediatricians, however the cases used will be in adults.

(most suitable for: Neurologists, Physiatrists, Internists, Geriatricians, Primary care providers, Nurses, Advanced Practice Providers, and trainees)

Chair: Sarah C. Lidstone, MD, PhD
Faculty: Sara Finkelstein, MD, MSc; Gabriela S. Gilmour, MD; David Palmer, MB ChB, FRACP; and Sarah C. Lidstone, MD, PhD

• Delivering the FND Diagnosis
• Assessing Treatment Suitability/Triage
• How to Identify and Manage Psychiatric and Neurological Comorbidities
• Treating FND as a Neurologist

Rehabilitation Track

The Rehabilitation Track will be an interactive workshop offering practical guidance on the continuum of FND rehabilitation, from initial assessment to treatment planning and execution. Led by experts in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology, the session will use case-based learning to demonstrate how to design and adapt rehabilitation programs that address various presentations of FND and utilize an interdisciplinary approach. This track will also cover complexities, including comorbidities, assistive device use, and discharge planning. Participants will gain practical strategies for integrating education, movement retraining, sensory processing, and interdisciplinary collaboration to promote recovery and patient engagement. The session is designed for rehabilitation clinicians seeking to build confidence in FND-specific treatment approaches, as well as for other disciplines aiming to deepen their understanding of rehabilitation principles in FND care. Please note that much of the content provided would also be suitable for pediatricians, however the cases used will be in adults.

(most suitable for: Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, and trainees)

Chair: Julie B. Maggio, Pt, DPT, NCS
Faculty: Julie L. MacLean, OTR/L; Rory Higgins; and Jennifer L. Freeburn, MS, CCC-SLP

• Initial Assessment
• Treatment Principles
• Practical Application for FND using case-based Discussion (tremor, gait disorders, and seizures)
• Triaging Challenges: Intermittent Symptoms, Discharge Planning, and Managing Devices

Psychotherapy Treatments Track

The Psychological Treatment Track will offer four 90-minute workshops (two concurrent workshops in the morning session and two concurrent workshops in the afternoon). Each workshop will offer an in-depth review of specific modalities of psychological treatment and will be led by experts in the field. This year, the covered psychotherapy modalities will include those based on symptom retraining, multi-modality/whole-person approach, psychodynamic principles, and hypnosis. After a brief overview of theoretical background, existing evidence, and major indications and contraindications, the workshops will offer practical guidance on how to deliver each therapeutic approach using interactive participation from the audience. Attendees choosing to attend the Psychological Treatment Track will have the opportunity to select one workshop for the morning session and one workshop for the afternoon session. We encourage attendees to choose modalities that they either have some familiarity with and/or modalities whose principles they are likely to apply in their clinical practice. While some of the therapies discussed in the workshops may be adapted to the pediatric population, the focus of the reviewed content and cases will be in adults.

(most suitable for: Psychiatrists, Psychotherapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Mental Health Counselors, Mental Health Nurses, and trainees)

Co-Chairs: Gaston C. Baslet, MD, and Sepideh Bajestan, MD, PhD
Faculty: Aaron D. Fobian, PhD; Christina Bankston, PhD; W. Curt LaFrance, Jr., MD, MPH; Kristen Mordecai, PhD; Randi H. Libbon, MD; Abbie Pennetti, LCSW; Sepideh Bajestan, MD, PhD; and Julio Quezada, MD.

Morning workshops: Choose one

• Retraining Functional Symptoms: A mechanism-based CBT approach to help patients regain control
• Multi-Modality, Whole-Person Psychotherapy

Afternoon workshops: Choose one

• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Hypnotherapy

Pediatrics Track

The Pediatric Track will be an interactive workshop exploring the complexities of diagnosing and managing FND in pediatric patients through a case-based format and interdisciplinary discussion. Participants will engage with experts from child neurology, pediatric psychology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy to understand how each discipline approaches patient care and how integrated and multidisciplinary care improves outcomes. The session will emphasize communication strategies, coordinated treatment planning, and family-centered care.

(most suitable for: Pediatric Neurologists, Pediatric Rehabilitation Specialists, Pediatric Nurses and Advance Practice Providers, Child Psychiatrists, Pediatric Psychologists, Pediatricians, and trainees)

Chair: Dara VF Albert, DO, MEd
Faculty: Jason David Kreuzman, OTR/L; Christian Geroin, PhD; Tyson Sawchuk, PhD, RPsych; and Kristen G. Trott, PhD

• Initial Assessment and Communication
• Pediatric Case 1
• Pediatric Case 2
• Pediatric Case 3

Moderated Panel Discussion: Barriers to Engagement from a Mind-Body Perspective

Chair: Julie B. Maggio, PT, DPT, NCS, and Sepideh Bajestan, MD, PhD 

Dealing with Physical/Somatic Barriers (spotlight on fatigue)
Rory Higgins; Jessica Ranford, MS, OTR/L; Chadrick E. Lane, MD; Ginger Polich, MD; and Alison Buchholz, PhD 

Dealing with Psychological Barriers (avoidance, anxiety, and fear)
Rory Higgins; Jessica Ranford, MS, OTR/L; Chadrick E. Lane, MD; Ginger Polich, MD; and Alison Buchholz, PhD

Q & A
 

Final Thoughts: Creating Sustainability in an FND Practice

Chair: Dara VF Albert, DO, MEd, and Gaston C. Baslet, MD

When Patients Do Not Get Better
Alan J. Carson, MB ChB, MPhil, MD, FRCPsych, FRCP

Self-care for FND Clinicians: Importance of the Team
Mark J. Edwards, MBBS, BSc, FRCP, PhD

Q & A

Closing Remarks