Join Dr. Holmes and Dr. Whitney as they discuss key moments from his keynote presentation :Short and Long term consequences of COVID-19 on individuals with ASD and his workshop presentation on changes in criteria from DSM IV to DSM 5. Many topics are discussed on life transition and changes needed to better understand and accommodate those on the spectrum.
Advocating for the Overlooked Needs of Autistic Individuals in the US Criminal Justice System
Dr. Whitney Shares an Article in the Autism Spectrum News
Over the past 7-15 years, many forensic/clinical professionals working in the US criminal justice system recognize the need for significant change within the US criminal justice system for autistic individuals to be treated humanely and with dignity. “Recently, a diverse team of autistics, family members, researchers, criminal justice system professionals, and policymakers formed the Global Autism and Criminal Justice Consortium” (Lindsay Lawer Shea DrPH, 2021). The Global Autism and Criminal Justice Consortium,1 under the leadership of the Policy and Analytics Center, AJ Drexel Autism Center, Drexel University, released a policy brief in April 2022. This policy brief came after a world summit regarding the increasing rate with which individuals with autism are encountering the criminal justice system globally was held in October 2020. The policy brief outlines recommendations for change that span the US criminal justice system as well as criminal justice systems worldwide.
A case review and analysis of my forensic cases to date shows, autistic people are being overlooked and not given the support they need during initial law enforcement interactions and in the courts by attorneys and judges at the state and federal level. In addition, because of neurological, cognitive, and behavioral differences that exist in autistic individuals, research suggests that “autistic individuals may have more negative impact on autistic people’s mental health than that of non-autistic people.”
See More at:
https://autismspectrumnews.org/advocating-for-the-overlooked-needs-of-autistic-individuals-in-the-us-criminal-justice-system/
5th Annual National Converge Autism Conference Featuring Dr. Whitney Coming May 2023
Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health invites professionals from across the nation to converge for two days of presentations and breakout discussions covering a wide range of topics related to Autism—from diagnosis, behavioral health, and treatment and therapy results.
Our A-list of speakers will represent a variety of fields including Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Analysis, Special Education, Speech and Language Pathology, and Youth Psychiatry.
Follow us on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to receive updates about the conference! You can also submit your e-mail via the contact form below to be added to our mailing list for Converge Autism Conference updates.
Space is limited! Early Bird Registration is now open.
Follow us on social media to stay up to date!
Atlanta Autism Consortium Welcomes New Member Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Tyler Whitney!
The Atlanta Autism Consortium is thrilled to welcome two new members to our Board of Directors, Feleshia Sams, owner of Academy of Advanced Cosmetics, and Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Tyler Whitney.
Ms. Sams is the founder of Academy of Advanced Cosmetics, which specializes in training providers in permanent and medical cosmetics through an interactive classroom setting which allows for hands-on-learning and practice with state-of-the-art equipment. Ms. Sams is also a mother to a child with autism, and is passionate about making a difference in the Atlanta autism community.
Dr. Whitney has over 20+ years’ experience working clinically with children, adolescents and young adults and their families. His formal training includes post-doctoral training in pediatric neuropsychology, developmental psychology, and two years as a LEND fellow through the URLEND program, including the autism enhancement year (AE), and is a full member of INSAR (International Society of Autism Research). His unique training and experience in clinical psychology, developmental psychology, forensic psychology, and psychometrics, as well as decades of clinical experience, allow him to clearly communicate in writing and speech the basic science that will support forensic cases in the courts, in the media, and in community settings.
Please join us in welcoming Ms. Sams and Dr. Whitney to the AAC Board of Directors!
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/atlautism_the-atlanta-autism-consortium-is-thrilled-activity-6926881772743917569-nhwH?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web
Specialty clinics offer complete care for adults with autism
Many adults with autism receive fragmented healthcare. Specialized clinics and personalized ‘tool kits’ are filling in the gaps.
http://www.spectrumnews.org/news/specialty-clinics-offer-complete-care-adults-autism/
The program provides each individual with a case manager who helps to schedule her appointments. In one visit to the clinic, an adult can see a general practitioner, psychiatrist and dietitian and get assistance with insurance claims.
Dr Whitney Has Moved!
Dr. Whitney has moved into a new private office to better serve our patients. The new office is located at 875 Old Roswell Road, Ste A-600 Roswell, GA 30076 in the Old Roswell Exchange office complex. Our new phone number is 770-645-5846
Driving Directions
If you are coming from GA 400, take the Holcomb Bridge Rd. Exit heading west for about 1 mile then turn right onto Old Roswell Rd. then proceed for 1/2 mile and the complex is on the right. Coming from the North, proceed south on Hwy 9 then turn left onto Holcomb Bridge Rd, then turn left onto Old Roswell Rd after 1/4 mile then proceed for 1/2 mile and the complex is on the right. From the west, proceed east on Hwy 92 until Old Roswell Rd, approximately 1/4 mile past Hwy 9, turn left onto Old Roswell Rd then proceed for 1/2 mile and the complex is on the right.
We look forward to serving you at the new location. Thanks for all of your support.
Upcoming Free Webinar for Adults With Autism
Join Dr. Whitney and The Atlanta Autism Consortium on September 15 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm for a virtual panel presentation focused on Serving Adults with Autism in the Atlanta Community. This free event will provide an overview of 9 community programs serving adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Services include transitional and residential programs, psychological and coaching services, initiatives for women, and self-advocacy groups.Dr. Whitney will be one of many professionals participating in a panel to highlight the many options available to adults with autism.
https://atlautism.org/event/serving-adults-with-autism-in-the-atlanta-community
This event is free, but registration is required as space is limited. For more information and to reserve your space, please visit the ticketing link above.
Dr. Whitney moving to Telehealth in response to COVID-19 pandemic
Good Morning: My priority is the health, safety, and wellbeing of my patients, and the community at large. I have already executed CDC recommended Precaution and Containment protocols as the COVID 19 virus unfolds in our community. As a provider in healthcare, I am here to serve those who are in need of my help and ongoing clinical support. With this goal in mind, I am now capable of instituting a TELEHEALTH PROTOCOL for all of my services. on case bv case basis. after discussing this with each patient and their family (e.g. caregivers). It is times like these that greater needs exist, and I am here to serve.
I am now able to launch all services via a HIPAA compliant video/teleconferencing platform
My clinical content can be modified as well as patient engagement strategies identified for children, adolescents, and young adults to acclimate services to a telemental health environment.
Contingency plans have been rolled out should problems with technology arise.
Safety Protocols have been developed as we work with patients who are outside our immediate presence
Patient and Family education about telemental health is being conducted and patient and brief User Guides are being provided to make the experience as seamless, secure, and as meaningful as possible.
My move to telemental health with each ofmy existing patients is not a move of choice but is out of necessity for the health and safety of everyone involved in a therapeutic relationship with me. We can use telemental health on a case by case basis, as determined by me and the patient & their families (e.g. caregivers) during the course of the COVIDI 9 pandemic until the threat subsides.
I continue to receive referrals and look forward to continuing to work with each of you and your families. My outpatient practice at 314 Maxwell Road, Suite 400 in Alpharetta, GA.; including clinical assessment, forensic assessment, clinical treatment, forensic treatment, and family education will remain open for those who are not at higher risk related to COVID 19 virus. I will continue to follow the CDC guidelines for one to one or very small group meetings.
Please contact me and let's discuss the treatment plan that is right for you.
Sincerely, Dr Whitney
Dr. Whitney’s Forensic Psychology Consultation Practice
Dr. Whitney’s unique training and experience in clinical psychology, developmental psychology, forensic psychology, and psychometrics, as well as decades of clinical practice experience allow him to clearly communicate in writing and speech the basic science that will support forensic cases in the courts, the media, and community settings. Dr. Whitney continually strives to maintain his professional integrity and objectivity against all challenges to both that life brings.
In criminal matters, Dr. Whitney evaluates cases on behalf of prosecutors, defense attorneys, or the court. In civil matters, Dr. Whitney evaluates cases on behalf of either plaintiff or defense.
Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychologists cover nearly the same range of issues as forensic psychiatrists, with the exception of psychopharmacology. In addition, they have specialized expertise in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of psychological tests and the related field of psychometrics.
Child & Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry
Child and adolescent forensic psychiatrists are also trained in adult psychiatry and may handle the full range of topics covered by forensic psychiatrists. In addition, they have specialized expertise regarding:
Mental disorders in children and adolescents
Interviewing children and adolescents
Children as witnesses
Effects of child abuse
Effects of child sexual abuse
False allegations by children
Child custody, divorce, adoption, and foster care
School, college, and university bullying, threats, and violence
Juvenile offenders
Juvenile adjudicative competence
Competence to confess
Criminal responsibility
Conduct disorder
ADHD
Autism spectrum disorders
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Juvenile waivers to adult court
Juvenile justice
Termination of parental rights
Adoption
Foster care
Criminal Experience:
Dr. Whitney has testified in 50 to 100 civil and criminal matters on a wide array of issues. Dr. Whitney has testified or consulted in criminal matters of national interest.
Civil Experience:
Dr. Whitney has testified or given deposition to determine damages for special education students, internet crimes, physical offenses against children, sexual offenses against children, and developmental disabilities impact related to responsibility for behaviors.
Asperger’s Syndrome and the Criminal Law: The Special Case of Child Pornography
For years parents of children with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) struggle and sacrifice in the simple hope that their child can lead a “normal” life – get an education, have a satisfying career, and raise a family. The child has such hopes, too. Finding the right schools, curriculum, and therapists, and struggling constantly to teach the child the social conventions and interpersonal skills which neurotypical youth learn on their own, is an exhausting and expensive venture. Read the full article here
Specialty clinics offer complete care for adults with autism
Logan Madsen is an artist with Miller syndrome, a rare genetic condition marked by limb deformities (he has eight fingers and eight toes), hearing impairment, breathing difficulties and painful joint problems. He also has autism and severe depression.
Madsen, 37, had been seeing a psychiatrist for the depression since he was 13 years old, but wasn’t diagnosed with autism until he was in his mid-20s. His various doctors often failed to take into account his spectrum of conditions. Read the full article here.
Researchers from around the world are gathering in Atlanta in May for the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)
Researchers from around the world are gathering in Atlanta in May for the International Meeting for Autism Research (IMFAR)
Hear Dr. Whitney Speak
Southeast Regional NATSAP Conference in Ashville, NC -- October 18-19
IECA Fall Conference in Atlanta, GA -- November 7-10
View Dr. Whitney / Behavior Imaging Webinar
View the full webinar here: Free Webinar
Customized Training and Consultation to Facilities, Clinics, and Schools
Dr. Whitney can establish contracts with outpatient clinics, residential or therapeutic programs, and school districts who are seeking training for children with an autism spectrum disorder in their homes, community programming, and classrooms. Training can include assessment and diagnosis of individuals as well as setting up individualized treatment programs or accommodating the environment. Dr. Whitney can rely on multidisciplinary input (physician, school, speech, occupational and physical therapy, as well as the family) and will utilize a medical home model approach with each family.