Webinar

Dual Diagnosis: Handling Challenging Care Situations in Respite and Foster Care

Presenter:

• Dr. Shelia Mansell, Ph.D., R. Psych, Clinical Consultant to Arnika Centre for Dual Diagnosis in Calgary, Alberta

Featured Discussion:

A number of people with an intellectual disability also have a mental health issue which is referred to as a dual diagnosis. Dr. Sheila Mansell, an expert in dual diagnosis, will provide an overview of the following:

• What is dual diagnosis and how you can better equip yourself to provide better care especially in challenging situations.
• How to better understand a person’s individual patterns for communication, coping abilities, and the visual/physical manifestations of differing emotional states.
• How to increase your awareness of a person’s emotional needs so you can further appreciate in terms of coping abilities exactly how much is too much.
• The importance of identifying areas where a person has difficulty coping but also equally important areas where a person exhibits strengths, copes very well, self-soothes, flourishes.
• Learn to identify helpful and unhelpful ways to support a person to address aggressive and irritable behaviour.

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"Respite Care Workshop: How to have fun in the community!"

Panel of presenters:

• Debra Mayer, MA, Director for SpeciaLink - the National Centre for Child Care Inclusion
• Ed Mahony, Special Education Resource Teacher in Hamilton.

Featured Discussion:

• How to search out activities and opportunities in your community.
• How to support the child/individual to be included in the community.
• How to help them get invited to activities.
• How to assist them to sustain interaction.
• How to deal with conflict.
• Addressing barriers to inclusion.

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"What makes for a successful respite experience for those supporting children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder?"

Panel of presenters:

• Lise Weston is a parent of a person with autism and facilitator at the Windsor Essex Family Network and Resource Centre.
• Heather Shanahan is a parent of children with autism, Social Worker and Family Coordinator at Family Respite Services, Windsor Essex.
• Ed Mahony is a Special Education Resource Teacher in Hamilton.

Featured Discussion:

• How to develop successful respite experiences
• Developing good communication with the child and the family
• Problem solving in creative ways
• Developing plans for meaningful experiences

View Recording of webinar