NFXF Webinar Series

Navigating Challenging Behaviors

01 h 05 m

Insights from different perspectives and exploring the role that parents and caregivers could play in preventing these behaviors, reducing their intensity, or, unintentionally, contributing to them.

About the Webinar

With Tracy Stackhouse, Lauren Moskowitz, Jennifer Epstein, Missy Zolecki, and Robby Miller
Learn more about the presenters

A one-hour Q&A session with a multi-disciplinary panel answering questions (submitted by the community) on navigating challenging behaviors. The panelists shared recommendations, each from their professional perspectives.

Discussions included aggression in adolescents and adults, focusing on identifying these behaviors and safely intervening when they occur. The panelists discussed various interventions and strategies, emphasizing the importance of individualizing the approach to best meet each person’s unique needs.

Over the hour-long discussion, some important themes emerged, including:

  • Safety First: Ensuring safety for all involved should always take precedence over any intervention.
  • Parents are Key Team Members: Recognizing that parents are key members of any team working on a plan to address challenging behaviors is crucial.
  • Have a Comprehensive Plan: While medication can be an important component of a treatment plan, it should be viewed as just one part of a holistic approach, with the individual’s doctor collaborating as needed.
  • Understand the “Why” Behind Behavior: The panel emphasized the importance of understanding the “why” or “trigger” of a behavior, which is as vital as understanding the “what.” Identifying the antecedent or what happens before a behavior can be critical in developing an intervention plan, though this aspect can often be challenging to fully understand or identify.
  • Parental and Caregiver Self-Awareness: Panelists stressed the importance of being mindful of their own role in challenging behaviors. They shared techniques for recognizing one’s role and managing emotions, including self-calming and de-escalation methods.
  • Track Behavioral Progress: The panel highlighted the value of collecting data on behaviors as a simple yet effective way to track progress and assess if behaviors are improving over time.

The panelists emphasized that we’re all human, mistakes will be made, and we learn from each encounter and should apply what we learned should there be another incident.

Closing remarks by the panelists included:

  • Be kind to yourself.
  • Behavior can, and most likely will, improve over time.
  • The NFXF has numerous online resources that can be of great help.
  • There is a vast community of families and professionals in the Fragile X world ready and willing to help.

We are grateful to the professionals who shared their knowledge and expertise during the webinar. We strongly encourage you to take the time to watch the recording, where you can dive into the in-depth discussion of the points mentioned above and much more!

About the Presenters

Jennifer Epstein

Jennifer Epstein

South Shore Psychological Services
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Epstein is a licensed clinical psychologist and health service provider with more than 20 years of experience working with children and families. Dr. Epstein specializes in treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders including delays in development, autism spectrum disorders, and genetic disorders such as Fragile x syndrome. She is a certified Early Start Denver Model Trainer.

Lauren Moskowitz, PhD, headshot.

Lauren Moskowitz

St. John’s University
Associate Professor of Psychology

Lauren Moskowitz, PhD, is an associate professor of Psychology at St. John’s University and a core member of the School Psychology programs. Dr. Moskowitz has expertise in the assessment and treatment of problem behaviors and has worked directly with individuals who have Fragile X. She has co-authored several articles and book chapters on assessment and intervention in Fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorders, has provided workshops and training for parents and teachers, and has presented her research at professional conferences, including the NFXF International Fragile X Conference.

Tracy Stackhouse

Tracy Stackhouse

Developmental FX
Co-founder, Executive Director

Tracy Stackhouse, MA, OTR, is co-founder and executive director of Developmental FX in Denver, Colorado. She is a leading pediatric occupational therapist involved in clinical treatment, research, mentoring, and training regarding OT intervention for persons with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially Fragile X syndrome and autism. Tracy has a master’s in developmental psychology/neuroscience. She received her NDT (neuro-developmental treatment) training with Lois Bly. She is SIPT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests) certified and was the clinical specialist in sensory integration at the Children’s Hospital in Denver as well as the OT for the Fragile X Research and Treatment Center. Tracy continued her clinical and research work with Dr. Randi Hagerman at the UC Davis MIND Institute during its start-up year prior to starting Developmental FX.

Tracy has written several book chapters on sensory integration and neurodevelopmental disorders and teaches nationally and internationally on sensory integration, autism, Fragile X, and related topics. She is the lead author for the SpIRiT and STEPSI Clinical Reasoning Tools which are leading-edge evidence-based models in pediatric occupational therapy. Tracy is also a member of the Fragile X Clinical & Research Consortium and the NFXF Advisory Committee.

Missy Zolecki headshot

Missy Zolecki

National Fragile X Foundation
Director, Community Empowerment

Missy joined NFXF team in 2018 after being an active volunteer since 2010. Missy organized several fundraisers and educational workshops while serving in her volunteer role. Missy is the mother of three children. Her eldest son, Matt, lives with Fragile X syndrome. Prior to joining the NFXF team, Missy had worked as a nurse for more than 20 years. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Robby Miller

Robby Miller

National Fragile X Foundation
Director, Clinic & International Relations

Robby has been affiliated with the NFXF since 1999 and has spent over 50 years helping children with special needs, their families and the professionals who work with them. He first became a part of the Fragile X community when close friends had two children with Fragile X syndrome. Robby is particularly interested in how families learn about, access, and receive meaningful care and services. This interest led to his co-founding the Fragile X Clinical & Research Consortium. In his spare time, you’ll find Robby singing and playing rhythm guitar in a band with his long-time musical partners.