Treatment of Trauma in IDD Populations Certificate Collection

Like all trauma survivors, people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) who have experienced sexual assault are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors, engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and to develop addictions than the general population. When they engage in these potentially harmful coping strategies people with I/DD are often responded to with coercive and controlling attempts to stop the behaviors, which often make them feel more shame and may be retraumatizing. This training will provide general information about suicide, NSSI, and Substance Use Disorder and other addictions among people with I/DD and use a trauma lens to help clinicians consider how to respond to these issues in a trauma-informed way. Special attention will be paid to differential risk and protective factors for people on the Autism Spectrum.

Trauma is a central issue in the lives of many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This workshop will breakdown the sources of trauma frequently experienced by people with I/DD, the biological and psychological effects of that trauma and the keys to healing. The discussion on healing will include the positive identity development approach as well as several positive psychology-based tools that can be used to facilitate healing.

In this workshop, there will be a review of 2 evidence based treatment methodologies that have been adapted for use with individuals with developmental disabilities that can be helpful in emotion regulation and managing symptoms related to trauma.  The fundamentals of The Skills System, Julie Brown’s adaptation of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, as well as Nora Baladerian’s adaptation of Thought Field Therapy will be covered.  A copy of materials for Nora Baladerian’s presentation will be included with registration.

In this workshop, Meg Stone will discuss trauma-informed abuse prevention for both individuals and institutions.  Meg will review the risk that can be posed to individuals with disabilities and will focus on ways that programs can help individuals protect themselves.  Meg strongly believes in ensuring safety without restricting or limiting an individual’s access to their world and fully expressing themselves.  Meg will provide information about how providers can work with individuals to help them identify healthy choices as well as helping programs reflect on strategies that can be employed that will help institutions prevent abuse. Following, Meg's presentation, trainers KayLee Blanchard LICSW and Karen Meginsky, LMHC will review how to develop an effective treatment plan for individuals with developmental disabilities (I/DD) as well as the importance of collaborating with their larger support system including family members and case managers, to employ effective treatment.

A one-hour lunch and learn session to put your learnings from the workshops into practice!

A one-hour lunch and learn session to put your learnings from the workshops into practice!

In this workshop, participants will learn about how to discuss healthy sexuality, including adaptations to assist individuals with developmental disability, and how education can help mitigate this population’s vulnerability to abuse.  In addition, presenters Meg Stone and Jeanine Wood will discuss their program Ability: Impact and how providing education to individuals and organizations can help promote healthy relationships as well as reduce risk for future abuse.  Both will discuss the importance of healthy sexuality and healthy relationships as part of recovery from abuse.

A one-hour lunch and learn session to put your learnings from the workshops into practice!

A one-hour lunch and learn session to put your learnings from the workshops into practice!