2026 Program
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2026
7:30 - 8:15 am
Breakfast Workshop | Option #1 | In-Person & Virtual
(Held in conference rooms: D, E & F)
“Social Media and Adolescent Mental Health”
Jenny Radesky
- Explain evidence regarding risks and benefits of social media to teens
- Practice the 5 Cs approach to counseling families about social media
- Explore resources from the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health
Breakfast Workshop | Option #2 | In-Person
(Held in conference rooms: D, E & F)
“So You've Been Asked to Give a Talk? Pearls To Become a More Effective Public Speaker”
Michael Pitt, MD
- Avoid the Seven Deadly Sins of bad public speaking
- Implement strategies for preparing slides and talks that are engaging
- Discuss approaches to minimize anxieties surrounding public speaking
8:15 - 8:30 am
BREAK (Please visit our exhibits in the Scottsdale Plaza Foyer)
8:30 - 8:40 am
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PLENARY SESSIONS: (Held in conference rooms: D, E & F)
8:40 - 9:20 am
“Vision screening and Amblyopia Technology ”
James W. O'Neil, MD
- Understand the rationale for childhood vision screenings by primary care physicians as part of a comprehensive public health model.
- Review AAP age-based timing and methodology guidelines for primary care childhood Vision Screenings
- Role of automated based childhood vision screenings and update on latest diagnostic and treatment technology.
9:20 - 10 am
“Pediatric Refractive Surgery”
Kamran Ahmed, MD
- Understand how pediatric refractive surgery addresses refractive errors & their associated comorbidities such as amblyopia & strabismus in special needs children intolerant of spectacles or contact lenses.
- Learn that contrary to adults, amblyopia is frequently an indication for refractive surgery.
- Recognize that children with neurobehavioral disorders undergoing refractive surgery have improvements in visual acuity, communication, socialization, motor skills, adaptive behaviors, visual perception, and cognitive function.
10- 10:20 am
BREAK (Please visit our exhibits in the Scottsdale Plaza Foyer)
10:20 - 11:00 am
"The Latest on Non-operative Appendicitis: An Overview & Pathway"
Kathleen van Leeuwen, MD
- Recognize the clinical presentation of appendicitis in children and the appropriate work up of symptoms
- Adapt to changes in the approach to non-complicated appendicitis, including non-operative treatment
- Anticipate needs of patients treated without surgery and what we can expect going forward
11:00 - 11:40 am
“Managing and Preventing Explosive Behavior in Children”
Jenny Radesky
- Describe the developmental, emotional, and relational drivers of explosive behavior in children ages 2-12
- Counsel families on preventive approaches to improve child behavior
- Practice evidence-based approaches for managing explosive behavior
11:40 am - 12:20 pm
“Building Your Communication Differential Diagnosis -10 Common Challenges in Pediatrics where Communication is the Cure”
Michael Pitt, MD
- Leverage communication as a tool in ten commonly encounter clinical scenarios
- Recognize when empathy is more powerful than data and implement strategies to demonstrate an empathic response
