Coordinated by Eric Bartky, M.D.
Wednesday, October 25
1:00 – 4:00 p.m. (open)
Media Theatre 1
My Flesh and Blood: Working Miracles in Foster Care
Nicholas Putnam, M.D., Stephanie B. Spanos, M.D., Jorge Cabrera, M.S.W.
The movie, My Flesh and Blood, is about an amazing single mother who has nine adopted children. Almost all of these children have some type of disability, mostly physical, including an adolescent that dies of cystic fibrosis, two children with missing limbs, etc. The movie itself is very moving as it allows the viewer to see beyond the children’s disabilities and marvel at how this one woman, Ms. Tom, is able to take care of and love these children. Dr. Putnam looks at the relationship between the foster mother and her children. Dr. Spanos gives the psychiatrist’s perspective as one who evaluates foster children for a large New York City agency. Scott Burlingame, a local San Diego social worker, discusses the support that the Casey Family Program in San Diego provides to foster families.
Thursday, October 26
8:00 – 11:00 a.m. (open)
Media Theatre 2
Nicholas Winton - The Power of Good: Saving Children in 1939
David W. Cline, M.D., Rudolph Meisl, Paul Glasner
Winner of the 2002 International Emmy Documentary Award, The Power of Good depicts how in 1939, Sir Nicholas Winton saved the lives of 669 children, most of them Jewish, from soon to be Navi-occupied Czechoslovakia and brought them across Hitler’s Germany to his native Britain. For nearly 50 years he kept secret how he rescued these children. Still alive and well at 97, Winton is an immensely compelling symbol of how the caring of one man can truly make a difference. Two of the rescued children, Rudolph Meisl and Paul Glasner take part in this program and are available during the discussion of the film. The AACAP will honor Sir Nicholas Winton with its 2006 Honorary Catcher in the Rye Humanitarian of the Year Award. The award will be given at the First Annual Karl Menninger Plenary on Wednesday, October 25.
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. (open)
Media Theatre 3
Impact of Cluster B Film Noir Femme Fatales on Youth
Scott Snyder, M.D.
This media presentation uses clips from Double Indemnity (1944) and Out of the Past (1947) to demonstrate the character pathology in these femme fatales, and how these and other visual media from that time may have contributed to the adolescent and young adult females sense of self, personality, and social status. The opportunity to discuss personality disorders in the making is a rare opportunity that should not be missed!
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. (open)
Media Theatre 4
Coach Carter: Coaching Challenges in Competitive Youth Athletics
David O. Conant-Norville, M.D., Rob P. Baarts, B.A., Ian R. Tofler, M.D.
The pressure that young athletes face today is ever-increasing as they are asked to push the boundaries of their physical ability in order to win. The popular film Coach Carter is about a successful local businessman who played high school basketball in the same town where he lives and works. He decides to coach for his old high school where the only priority for the players is to play basketball and the priority for the school is to push the students through to graduation, regardless of their grades. Amidst local protest, Coach Carter demands that his team achieve academically in order for him to allow them to play. This movie serves as a springboard to discuss the stresses on young athletes, the pressures on coaches, and how to manage psychiatric illness
in the athlete. Rob Baarts, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at University of Portland, talks about positive coaching
techniques and what makes a quality coach. Dr. Conant-Norville, comments on the role of the sports psychiatrist working with athletes, coaches, and as a consultant to sports teams. This presentation is entertaining and educational for all of us who treat or would like to treat young athletes.
Friday, October 27
8:00 – 11:00 a.m. (open)
Media Theatre 5
Using Media to Demonstrate Our Children’s Difficult World
Frank M. Gatti, M.D., Michael Brody, M.D., Sut Jhally, Ph.D., Mary G. Burke, M.D.
The Media Educational Foundation of Northampton, Massachusetts is receiving an AACAP Special Friends of Children award at the Annual Meeting for providing important documentary films and strong child advocacy. This media presentation uses parts of three films that have been made by The Media Educational Foundation: Tough Guise; Reviving Ophelia; and Mickey Mouse Monopoly. The problems discussed in these films include how children and adolescents are affected not only by the media, but also by what are now considered cultural norms for violence, sexuality, and social status. A close look at the role Disney films play in this context, as well as male and female identity formation as it relates to pop culture is discussed. The large role that media plays in our children’s lives makes this media presentation an important one to attend.
Sponsored by the AACAP Television and the Media Committee
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. (open)
Media Theatre 6
Bend It Like Beckham: A Stimulation for Discussion of Acculturation Issues Faced by Immigrants
Asini E. Gunawardana, M.D., Alice R. Mao, M.D., Peter Ly, M.D., Jennifer Yen, M.D.
This movie is about an Indian female growing up in England who plays soccer. The conflict between her desires and her family culture are highlighted. All of the presenters are from various Asian cultures and have had different acculturation experiences. Ethnic identity formation is discussed along with potential interventions for adolescents experiencing anxiety and depression as a result of difficulty with acculturation. Published data on this topic is briefly reviewed and discussed. This “insider look” at important cultural issues from Asian colleagues in our field is interesting and valuable.
Saturday, October 28
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (open)
Media Theatre 7
The Mad One: A Documentary of Visionary Artist Paul Laffoley
Carol M. Larroque, M.D., Jean-Pierre Larroque
Like Einstein, Paul Laffoley is reported to have been delayed in developing speech. He was thought to be mildly autistic. A brilliant youngster, he graduated from Brown but received several treatments of Electro-Convulsive Therapy before graduating. In spite of physical and emotional obstacles, Paul Laffoley developed into a soft spoken, functioning gentleman with a warm sense of humor. But also like Einstein, Laffoley is a “divergent” thinker. Laffoley’s determination and positive approach to life allowed him to overcome odds to become an architect; his creative thinking enabled him to become an internationally acclaimed visionary artist. Paul Laffoley tells his story in his own words in this documentary by Jean-Pierre Larroque. As Laffoley invites us into his world one easily wonders if this is a world of delusion or a world of someone gifted with a brilliant, unbounded imagination.
The concept of psychiatric diagnoses becomes meaningless to the many who see Paul Laffoley as a genius whose unorthodox ideas inspire others to “think beyond the box,” to accept the challenge of their own creativity. Dr. Carol Larroque, leads a discussion about the concept of diagnosis, resiliency and “whether there exists a link between genius, creativity and emotional illness.” Jean-Pierre Larroque, the film’s director and narrator, participates as a discussant for this presentation.
