Wired for Worry - Childhood Anxiety and Changing Landscape

Wired for Worry: Childhood Anxiety and the Changing Landscape of School, Home, and Mental Health

Presented by: Sasco River Center and Anxiety Institute

Hosted by: Fusion Academy

Join us for a comprehensive parent conference addressing one of today’s most pressing concerns: childhood anxiety. As rates of anxiety among children and adolescents continue to rise, parents, educators, and mental health professionals must work together to understand, identify, and effectively support young people navigating these challenges. This conference brings together leading experts to explore cutting-edge research, practical strategies, and collaborative approaches that make a real difference in children’s lives.

The conference kicks off with a Keynote Presentation by Sasco River Executive Director Chris Bogart. Following the Keynote you will have an opportunity to join in on one of three breakout sessions. Don’t worry the breakout sessions will be recorded and shared following the event. After the Breakout Session we will reconvene for a Q&A session.

Keynote Presentation: Inside the Anxious Mind: What’s Really Driving the Rise in Childhood Anxiety—And How We Can Change the Story

Exploring the brain, the world our kids live in, and the solutions that work.

Presenter: Christopher Bogart, PhD, Executive Director, Sasco River Center

Childhood anxiety is on the rise like never before—and for many parents, it’s hard to know where to start. In this keynote, we’ll take a clear, compassionate look at what’s happening inside an anxious child’s brain, why today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world is making it harder for kids to cope, and how the right support can make all the difference.

We’ll connect the dots between the latest research on the biology of anxiety and the everyday realities our kids face—from social pressures to constant connectivity. You’ll learn how schools are using social-emotional learning to help children build resilience, and how parents, educators, and clinicians can work together as a team.

Most importantly, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to support your child at home, foster their confidence, and create a foundation for emotional well-being—so together, we can change the story for this generation of kids.

Breakout Sessions (You will be able to choose one)

Session 1: Breaking Through Barriers: Effective Treatments for School Avoidance Through Home-School Partnership

Presenter: Daniel J. Glass, PhD, ABPP, Sasco River Center 

School avoidance affects countless families, creating stress, academic disruption, and long-term consequences for children’s educational and social development. This session focuses on evidence-based interventions that work—particularly when schools and families unite in their approach.

What You’ll Learn:

• Understanding School Avoidance: Distinguishing between truancy, school refusal, and anxiety-based avoidance
• Root Cause Analysis: Identifying underlying factors including separation anxiety, social fears, academic pressures, and trauma responses
• Collaborative Treatment Models: How therapeutic partnerships between parents, school counselors, teachers, and mental health professionals create sustainable change
• Gradual Exposure Strategies: Step-by-step approaches to help children re-engage with school in manageable increments
• Accommodations vs. Enablement: Finding the balance between supporting anxious children and maintaining healthy expectations
• Communication Frameworks: Tools for maintaining open dialogue between home and school throughout the intervention process

Practical Takeaways: Participants will leave with concrete strategies, communication templates, and a clear understanding of when to seek additional professional support. Real case studies will illustrate successful interventions and common pitfalls to avoid.

Session 2: Helping Kids Feel Better: Medical and Therapeutic Options for Childhood Anxiety

Presenter: Ellen Fahey, DNP, FNP, Clinical Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Sasco River Center

When a child is struggling with anxiety, parents often wonder: Is this just a phase? Do we need professional help? Could medication make a difference? This session will walk you through the medical and therapeutic options available today for treating childhood anxiety—what they are, how they work, and when they might be recommended.

We’ll talk about the role of healthcare providers and specialists, as well as how therapy, lifestyle changes, and school supports can work alongside medical treatment. Our goal is to take the mystery out of the process so you can make informed, confident decisions for your child. You’ll leave with clear information, practical questions to ask your providers, and a better understanding of how treatment can help kids feel calmer, more confident, and ready to thrive.

Session 3: When Worry Takes Over: How Avoidance Fuels Anxiety and What Actually Helps

presented by: Anxiety Institute

While anxiety is a normal part of life, it can sometimes grow disruptive enough to interfere with learning, relationships, and daily functioning. In this breakout session, we will focus on the powerful role of avoidance in fueling anxiety—and how exposure-based strategies can break the cycle.

Parents will learn to recognize when worry signals a deeper concern, how perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive patterns can take hold, and why Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is the gold standard for effective treatment. Practical strategies will also be shared to help children re-engage in learning and build resilience.

This session provides parents with evidence-based tools and insights they can use right away, complementing the keynote by focusing on what actually helps families move from coping to lasting change.