Upcoming Free Webinar for Adults With Autism

by Stephen Forsyth

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

by Stephen Forsyth

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

by Stephen Forsyth

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

by Stephen Forsyth

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

by Stephen Forsyth

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.

Customized Training and Consultation to Facilities, Clinics, and Schools

by Stephen Forsyth

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.