Workshops Program April 2008 - March 2009

April 2008

BEHAVIOURAL INTERVENTION: A Positive Systems Introduction

Regional Support Associates has pioneered the Positive Systems Approach (PSA) which is highly effective in helping individuals with intellectual disabilities who have serious behavioural challenges. PSA combines Applied Behavioural Analysis, and Social Systems Theory into a comprehensive and positive treatment model.

Presenters:    Eric Wright, M.A.

      Reg Egilsson, B.A.

May 2008

WORKING WITH FAMILIES:
Essential Skills for Front-Line Professionals and Managers!

There are seven essential skills that every front-line professional and manager should know, to ensure that excellent working relationships can develop with families. This workshop will explore and teach these seven skills; and will present recently completed videotaped interviews with families, that highlight what worked and did not work, as they interacted with professionals and human service organizations.

THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL - REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

Presenter:  J. Dale Munro, MSW, RSW, FAAIDD

AUGMENTATIVE COMMUNICATION:
See What I Can Say!

This workshop highlights the world of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). We will explore how communication works and how AAC can help expressive and receptive language development through the use of symbol systems and technology. Myths will be dispelled and discussion is encouraged. Guest speaker: Nola Millin, will provide her perspective as an AAC user.

Presenters: Colleen McGaffey, DSW, B.A.,

   Aren Hutton, M.H.Sc.,S-LP(C),

   Nola Millin, B.A. (Hon.)

Date	Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Time	9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Location	Hampton Inn & Suites, Windsor
Cost	$55.00

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June 2008

STOP, THINK & GO:
The Road to Better Anger Management!

If individuals you support have a problem managing anger, and you want to help them, this workshop is for you! This presentation trains professionals in anger management strategies, including STOP/THINK/GO, relaxation and assertiveness, and other helpful approaches.

Presenter:  Paul Gribbon, B.A. (Hons.)

BEHAVIOURAL INTERVENTION: A Positive Systems Introduction

Regional Support Associates has pioneered the Positive Systems Approach (PSA) which is highly effective in helping individuals with intellectual disabilities who have serious behavioural challenges. PSA combines Applied Behavioural Analysis, and Social Systems Theory into a comprehensive and positive treatment model.

Presenters: Elgie LaButte, Community Consultant

           George Briand, B.S.W

September 2008

BEHAVIOURAL INTERVENTION: A Positive Systems Introduction

Regional Support Associates has pioneered the Positive Systems Approach (PSA) which is highly effective in helping individuals with intellectual disabilities who have serious behavioural challenges. PSA combines Applied Behavioural Analysis, and Social Systems Theory into a comprehensive and positive treatment model.

Presenters: Laura Winter, Community Consultant 

   Chad Quanz, BA (Hons.)

GOOD GRIEF:
Supporting People Through Life's Losses

This interactive and practical workshop will provide participants with information and skills to support individuals with intellectual disabilities along their grief journey using a holistic and individualized approach. Discussion and group work will be utilized to explore topics such as the phases of grief resolution, facts and myths, and strategies and interventions. The presenters have a wide experience in the field of intellectual disabilities, in providing individual counseling and consultation to agencies and families who are experiencing grief and loss.

Presenters:    Sue Hutton, B.A.

   Ronalee White, MSW, RSW

October 2008

MEDICATION:
How To Be Sure About the Psychotropic Cure!

Many people with a developmental disability are on psychotropic medication or multiple medications. Studies suggest that psychotropic use in the community setting is increasing and approaching 40%. Many people on psychotropic medication have no coordinated treatment plan for monitoring efficacy, side effects or ongoing need. This workshop will identify challenges and look at creative problem-solving and planning approaches to improve safety and enhance evaluation – including the use of PRN medications. Please bring a case example for discussion.

Presenters:  Al Fewster, R.N.

 Doug Taylor, R.N., B.A., CPMHN(CA)

November 2008

RISKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Recognizing, Responding and Reporting Abuse

This one-day workshop is designed for service providers and managers who are working in agencies that provide supports and services to adults with intellectual disabilities. Those who attend will become aware of abuse issues, agency responses, policy and reporting responsibility. Participants should come prepared to take the material presented back to their organizations; and then deliver information to others in their agencies.

Presenters: Peggy Corrigan-Dench

Woman's Health :
Appearance, Stress Management & Self-Esteem!

This session will explore the benefits of assisting women with intellectual disabilities to pamper and care for themselves. The overall health and well-being of women will be looked at and how it impacts on the quality of life. We will consider ways to optimize both physical and emotional health--so that women look good and feel good!

Presenter(s): TO BE ANNOUNCED

December 2008

REINFORCING REINFORCEMENT:
The Real Secret of Successful Behavioural Intervention

Positive reinforcement can be looked at as the most natural person-centered intervention there is! And its value in helping people is based on extensive research. This session will go into detail on how you can use positive reinforcement more creatively, to benefit those you support.

Presenter:  Paul Gribbon, BA (Hons.)

THE MANY FACES OF ADULTS WITH ASPERGER SYDNROME: TREATMENT & SUPPORT

Few professionals have worked extensively with adults with Asperger Syndrome (AS). Dale and Lillian are two exceptions. The focus of this workshop will be on diagnosis, individual, and family therapy, and the need for effective support services. Videotaped interviews with several adults with AS will be shown throughout the day.

Presenter: J. Dale Munro, MSW, RSW, FAAIDD

January 2009

DON'T CHOKE:
Making Sense of Feeding & Swallowing

Swallowing difficulties are not always visible. Understanding what swallowing is and the red flags for which to watch, can help decrease a client's risk of choking. During this one-day workshop, you will learn the basic physiology of normal and disordered swallows, signs and symptoms for which to watch, and possible strategies to compensate for the Dysphagia.

Presenter:  Aren Hutton, M.H.Sc., S-LP (C )

MEETING THE CHALLENGE:
Risk Assessment & Relapse Prevention For Sexual Offending Behaviours

Individuals with intellectual disabilities who present with sexual offending behaviour pose unique assessment and treatment challenges. Subsequently, they often receive minimal assessment and limited relapse prevention support. This interactive workshop will focus on shifting the focus onto the individuals and their environment. An integrated model will be presented that produces assessment and treatment plans that are fluid and responsive to each person's individual circumstances.

Presenter: Darren Rene, MSW, RSW

February 2009

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER:
New Approaches for Reaching 'Impossible' Individuals

Many mental health professionals believe that people with a borderline personality disorder, along with a developmental disability, are among the most complicated people to treat and support. This session will focus on recent research and the proven effectiveness of dialectical behavioural therapy, for improving mood stabilization, interpersonal relations and planning with/for these complicated individuals.

Presenter:  Patricia Patterson-Wybrow, MSW, RSW

Moving Toward Increased Independence:
Solid Skills for Teaching Skills

Information in this workshop is an extension of both the Advanced Topics in Behaviour Analysis, as well as the Aiming Higher for Higher Needs workshop. Before we can get in to teach others, we ourselves must first have the essential skills. The focus will be to "Train the Trainer to Train". That is, to provide the know-how that is required to help people that we support learn to better support themselves. People with intellectual disabilities are capable of learning when given the chance! This workshop will be beneficial to DSWs and other direct-service professionals.

Presenters:  Paul Gribbon, BA (Hons.)

 Chad Quanz, BA, (Hons.)

Please note:  This course is a pre-requisite to attend the 2-day Advanced Topics in Behavioural Analysis Workshop.

March 2009

PSYCHOANALYTIC CONCEPTS & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES:
SURPRISING WAYS TO IMPROVE FRONT-LINE SUPPORT!

It has been over 100 years since Sigmund Freud electrified the world with new controversial ways of thinking about human behaviour and personality. Some of his ideas were hogwash! But some psychoanalytic concepts are highly relevant, and necessary to better understand and support people with developmental disabilities. Concepts like the unconscious, countertransference, defense mechanisms, and personality structure will be explored in this workshop.

Presenters: J. Dale Munro, MSW, RSW, FAAIDD 

Darren Rene, MSW, RSW, Clinical Supervisor

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ADVANCED TOPICS IN APPLIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS:
2-DAY WORKSHOP

This workshop is the final installment for the RSA Behavioural Training Certificate. To attend this session, participants must have taken Behavioural Intervention: A Positive Systems Introduction; Reinforcing Reinforcement: The Real Secret of Successful Behavioural Intervention; & Moving Toward Increased Independence: Solid Skills for Teaching Skills.
Participants will leave this workshop with a more advanced level of understanding of important behavioural concepts and how to apply them. Discussion will also focus on incorporating and combining these behavioural concepts/interventions within a Positive Systems Approach context. Many case studies will be employed and participants will be taught how to:

1. Conduct detailed behavioural assessments.
   
2. Design effective & clearly written behavioural protocols using state-of-the-art  behavioural intervention techniques.
   
3. Take in consideration relevant ethical guidelines and standards in designing behavioural protocols.
   

Presenters:  Robert Carey, Ph.D., C. Psych, Psychologist

Paul Gribbon, BA (Hons.), Community Consultant

Regional Support Associates Behavioural Training Certificate

Regional Support Associates is pleased to offer a Certificate in Behavioural Training.

The program consists of 4 workshops that have a primary focus on behavioural intervention.  Participants who take part in all of these workshops will be eligible to obtain the RSA Behavioural Training Certificate.

• Behavioural Intervention: A Positive Systems Introduction
• Those who have taken this course during 2005/2006 may be eligible for advanced standing
• Reinforcing Reinforcement:  The Real Secret of Successful Behavioural Intervention
• Moving Toward Increased Independence: Solid Skills for Teaching Skills
• 2-Day Advanced Topics in Behavioural Analysis

For more information on the Behavioural Training Certificate please contact

Jayne Joyes
Regional Support Associates
293 Wellington Street North
Woodstock, ON N4S-6S4

1-800-640-4108  
(519) 433-7238 ext. 2212
jjoyes@wgh.on.ca

Safe Management Staff Training Series

The Safe Management Group training program was developed for staff working in agencies and providing services to adults with developmental disabilities who on occasion demonstrate violent behaviours.

This curriculum was developed to address the unique needs and challenges posed by individuals with unsafe aggressive/violent behaviour. The training program was designed to integrate behavioural management principles, strategies, and techniques with new and improved state-of-the-art physical intervention techniques.

RSA is licensed to offer this training to agencies throughout the Southern  Ontario region. Training can be made available to groups and individual staff within their agency. The cost of the 2-3 day course is $150 per person. This fee includes registration, required workbook and certification.

If you would like more information, or are interested in the training, please contact:

Jayne Joyes
Senior Administrative Assistant
1-800-640-4108  
(519) 433-7238 ext. 2212
jjoyes@wgh.on.ca

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