38th Annual Developmental Disabilities Virtual Conference

Caring for Others When You’re Running Out of Things and Ways to Give: A reflection for support and service providers during a continued global pandemic
8:30AM - 9:30AM
Stephanie Grant, PhD, LPC

We’re 2 years into a global trauma event. Those we serve are at one of the highest risks of being negatively impacted by this event as services and supports fail to meet their needs. Many of us witness this reality and work to fill the gaps, yet are also impacted ourselves. In this plenary session, Dr. Grant will provide opportunities for reflection on this shared reality while also giving words to our experiences.

Objectives:
Support of the Service Provider

Break
9:30AM - 9:45AM

A1 Human Trafficking Survivors with Disabilities
9:45AM - 10:45AM
Christina Hayes, LLMSW
Jessica Glynn, JD

The goal of this workshop is to increase awareness and understanding of human trafficking when working with survivors with disabilities. This workshop will address bias, stigmas, and risk factors that may lead to victimization. Participants will learn how to recognize the signs of human trafficking and best practices in providing survivor-centered supportive and comprehensive services. The presenters will share lessons learned and experiences of representing survivors with disabilities in both sex and labor trafficking cases.

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and one's gaps in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes.

A2 Improving Vocational Outcomes Through the PROMOTES Employment Project
9:45AM - 10:45AM
Kyle Visitacion, BS
Alyvia Anaple, BS
Kayla Jenssen, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA
Jessica Van Stratton, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA

Paid employment offers many benefits for young adults with exceptional needs and their families. Yet it can be difficult for these individuals to obtain and maintain these positions for various reasons. In collaboration with the Van Buren Intermediate School District, the PROMOTES employment project provides supports to transition-aged adults to help build skill repertoires needed for competitive employment. This presentation will provide an overview of the services PROMOTES offers and highlight successes through case examples.

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and perform learning activities that address one's gaps in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes.

A3 What’s Going on in Lansing
9:45AM - 10:45AM
Alan Bolter

Hear about the latest goings-on in the Michigan Legislature. What is the status of behavioral health integration and where do we go from here? What is the status of the FY23 budget and what big issues will the legislature tackle during an important election year? This workshop will provide an update on the latest legislation and budget issues impacting the CMH system and how members can convey our advocacy message moving forward.

Objectives:
Help individuals understand what is going on in Lansing and how to become better advocates.

Vendor Break
10:45AM - 11:15AM

B1 Healthy Living: Protecting the brains of individuals living with a developmental disability
11:15AM - 12:15PM
Kristi Davis, CTRS

People with developmental disabilities are living longer than ever. As a result, it's important for clinicians to have the knowledge base to help them take care of their brains for a long, healthy life while aging. In this training, attendees will learn the factors that may increase a person living with a developmental disability's risk of dementia and the ways that their brain health can be supported through healthy habits.

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and emphasize attitudes that enhance the opportunities for persons with DD to achieve their optimal potential.

Identify and perform learning activities that address one's gaps in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes.

B2 Autism and Differential Diagnoses
11:15AM - 12:15PM
Roger W Apple, PhD
Kathryn E White, MA

This workshop will discuss identification and diagnosis of autism as well as how to identify and diagnose other co-occurring conditions. 

Objectives:
Identify and perform learning activities that address one's gaps in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes.

B3 Self-Directed Services Update
11:15AM - 12:15PM
Angela Martin, LMSW
Laura Demeuse
Jan Lampman, BA

Learn about the updated Self-Direction Technical Requirement Implementation Guide. Create for 2020, this Guide is in effect this fiscal year. It is designed to make self-directed services easier to use for clinicians and people using self-direction, while providing flexibility in the use of services. Key components will be described and an explanation of how to use the Guide in daily practice will be provided.

 

Objectives:
Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Lunch Break and Exhibits
12:15PM - 1:15PM

C1 Autism Spectrum Disorder, Extremism and the Role of Clinicians in Early Identification, Prevention and Intervention
1:15PM - 2:15PM
Neelkamal Soares, MD
Frank Straub, PhD

Extremists recruit persons to their causes through online forums that spread hate-filled narratives and promote violence. There is a small subset of individuals with autism spectrum disorder who may be vulnerable to recruitment. Clinicians who work with autistic adolescents, young adults and their families should should identify multi-disciplinary strategies to inform early identification, prevention, and care-based interventions for at-risk adolescents. This presentation represents an international collaboration between developmental-behavioral pediatrics, law enforcement, and psychology.

Objectives:

Identify and perform learning activities that address one's gaps in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes.

Articulate reasons why individuals with ASD are frequent targets for recruitment into extremism.

Recognize strategies used by extremist groups to engage and cultivate individuals with ASD in extremist ideology and actions.

Assess areas for medical and mental health practitioners to engage in anticipatory guidance with individuals and families to mitigate the risk for engagement in extremism. 

C2 Acquired Developmental Disabilities from Blood Disorders
1:15PM - 2:15PM
Krystal Chan-Zlatopolsky, MD
Amy Barto, MEd

Two blood disorders that cause acquired developmental disability are Sickle Cell Disease and Lead Poisoning, both of which have biological and psychosocial impacts on children and their families, and disproportionately impact black and brown communities. In this workshop we discuss the pathophysiology of these disorders, and the role of medicine, education, mental health, and advocacy in the progression of these chronic illnesses.

Objectives:

Identify advances in clinical assessment and management of selected healthcare issues related to persons with developmental disabilities.

Provide appropriate referral of patients including ensuring continuity of care throughout transitions between providers or settings, and following up on patient progress and outcomes

C3 Sexual Health and Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities
1:15PM - 2:15PM
Mary Shehan, Master of Science/Psychology
Izzie Bullock, MA, CWIP

This presentation will focus on helping participants gain a deeper understanding of communicating with people with IDD in medical and clinical settings specifically as it pertains to reproductive health and sexuality education. It is based on the foundation that recognizes people with disabilities as sexual human beings. The presentation will work toward changing organizational practices that prohibit quality reproductive healthcare and sexuality education for people with IDD. New resources for sexuality education will be discussed.

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify advances in clinical assessment and management of selected healthcare issues related to persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and emphasize attitudes that enhance the opportunities for persons with DD to achieve their optimal potential.

Identify and perform learning activities that address one's gaps in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes.

Gain a deeper understanding of communicating with people with IDD

Recognize people with disabilities as sexual human beings

Work toward changing organizational practices that prohibit quality care for patients with IDD

Break
2:15PM - 2:30PM

D1 Sleep Management in the Child with Developmental Disabilities
2:30PM - 3:30PM
Mark Goetting, MD

This session will focus on best addressing the child with developmental disabilities and problematic sleep.  This begins with how to assess the 24 hour sleep-week history.  The environmental, medical, and family factors  will be discussed.  Evaluation of common disorders that can disrupt sleep, such as sleep apnea, a restless legs syndrome, and restless sleep disorder will be reviewed.  This leads to a hierarchy of priorities in diagnosis and treatment targets.  Behavioral, medications, and family interventions then will follow.

Objectives:

Identify advances in clinical assessment and management of selected healthcare issues related to persons with developmental disabilities.

Provide appropriate referral of patients including ensuring continuity of care throughout transitions between providers or settings, and following up on patient progress and outcomes.

 

D2 Interdisciplinary collaboration to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
2:30PM - 3:30PM
Allison Peart, MA, TLLP
Angela Khater, MA, BCBA, LBA

This workshop will highlight the importance of collaboration between different disciplines and families in providing the best outcomes for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. In particular our discussion will focus on how to connect families with special education and ABA services. 

Objectives:

Identify and emphasize attitudes that enhance the opportunities for persons with DD to achieve their optimal potential.

Provide appropriate referral of patients including ensuring continuity of care throughout transitions between providers or settings, and following up on patient progress and outcomes.

 

D3 “Conflict-Free” Services: Why the Big Push for This in Michigan and Nationally?
2:30PM - 3:30PM
Annette Downey, MSW
Lisa Ballien, BA

This session provides an overview and discussion about the federal movement toward “conflict-free” services.  There will be a review of several service models used in various regions in Michigan.  Very individualized Person-Centered Planning approaches will be shared with a very strong community-based focus, along with the successes that have resulted in the lives of people with disabilities through the utilization of Conflict-free Support Coordination services in particular.

Keynote: Learning to Discover Parallel Processes in Those We Serve
8:30AM - 9:30AM
Stephanie Grant, PhD, LPC

The idea of the parallel process refers to how our experiences with a client often parallels and provides opportunities for insight into what whose relationship dynamics and experiences are for those that support them—and likewise, how our experiences with the support figures provides insight into the client’s own experiences. In this plenary session, Dr. Grant will explore the idea of the parallel process and its relevance and application to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

 

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and emphasize attitudes that enhance the opportunities for persons with DD to achieve their optimal potential.

Break
9:30AM - 9:45AM

E1 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
9:45AM - 10:45AM
Lisa Lowery

Discussion of diversity, equity, and the inclusivity of persons with developmental disabilities. Interactive discussion on intersectionality and disabilities. Discussion of unconscious biases and possible strategies to mitigate these biases.  Discussion of how DEI work and including the lens and frame work of including persons with disabilities.

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Recognize the ethical issues related to persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and emphasize attitudes that enhance the opportunities for persons with DD to achieve their optimal potential.

Develop strategies to promote community inclusion in meeting the needs of persons with developmental disabilities.

 

E2 Restoring Your Rights: Moving from guardianship to supported decision making
9:45AM - 10:45AM
Amie Kupovits
Jan Lampman, BA

This workshop will walk through the logic and process for restoring the rights of a person who has a guardian.  We will include discussion of partial guardianships and tools of supported decision making.

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and emphasize attitudes that enhance the opportunities for persons with DD to achieve their optimal potential.

Develop strategies to promote community inclusion in meeting the needs of persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and perform learning activities that address one's gaps in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes.

 

E3 CBD Oil Changing Lives One Drop at a Time
9:45AM - 10:45AM
Teresa Bailey, PharmD

Questions that will be addressed:

How is cannabidiol different from marijuana, cannabis, and hemp?
Is cannabidiol legal?
What is the evidence for cannabidiol health benefits?
Is CBD safe?

Objectives:
Identify advances in clinical assessment and management of selected healthcare issues related to persons with developmental disabilities.

Vendor Break
10:45AM - 11:15AM

F1 Waterfall of Kindness: Transformational management within a culture of value and support
11:15AM - 12:15PM
Kari Arms, BS, LBSW
Maureen McGurn, BS, LBSW
Suzanne Gipperich, BA

How Open Arms Support Coordination Services, Inc. uses a culture of kindness to provide mental health services and how this encompasses all aspects of our organization.    Attendees will learn how administrators can support employees; including social workers, support coordination assistants and administrative support staff; how social workers support individuals served, their families and advocates and direct support professionals; and how these principles are embodied in care plans that empower recipients to direct their own lives and  foster a sense of companionship and connectedness.

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and emphasize attitudes that enhance the opportunities for persons with DD to achieve their optimal potential.

 

F2 Using the Charting the LifeCourse Framework to Improve Person-Centered Planning in Michigan
11:15AM - 12:15PM
Tracy Vincent, *None-Not applicable*
Jan Lampman, BA

This workshop will provide an overview of Charting the LifeCourse and how the framework can enhance what we do in supporting individuals with disabilities to have good lives, create a culture shift, and improve practices into a more person-centered approach.

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

 

F3 Understanding Disparities in Diagnosis and Management for Autistic Children
11:15AM - 12:15PM
Chioma Torres, MD

This workshop will discuss the literature regarding disparities in delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis for autistic children, disparities in receiving medical care and services once diagnosed, and strategies to improve these inequities

Objectives:
Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities

Lunch Break and Exhibits
12:15PM - 1:15PM

G1 Use and Overuse of Medications in the Care of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
1:15PM - 2:15PM
zakia Alavi, MD

We will discuss psychotropic medications commonly used in developmental disabilities. Also discussing the phenomena of polypharmacy and prescribing cascade. Briefly discuss common causes of polypharmacy in this population.

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and perform learning activities that address one's gaps in knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes.

G2 Considerations for Adapting Common Psychological Treatments to Developmental Disabilities Populations
1:15PM - 2:15PM
Rebecca A Rausch, PhD
Katherine Beenen, PhD
Felicia Acelia Diaz, BA, MS

This presentation will focus on the application of common psychological treatments to individuals with developmental disabilities. It will include considerations for the delivery of these approaches to best support this population. 

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

 

Break
2:15PM - 2:30PM

H1 Person-oriented ethics for autism research: Recommendations identified through engagement with autism and autistic communities
2:30PM - 3:30PM
Ariel Cascio, PhD

This workshop addresses day-to-day ethics in research studies involving people with autism. I will present strategies for enabling safe, accessible, and meaningful participation, identified through a literature review and a task force meeting of autistic people, parents, and professionals. This workshop will be of interest to potential researchers, research participants, and professionals or family members who might be asked to facilitate connections between researchers and potential research participants.

Objectives:

Recognize the ethical issues related to persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and emphasize attitudes that enhance the opportunities for persons with DD to achieve their optimal potential.

Develop strategies to promote community inclusion in meeting the needs of persons with developmental disabilities.

 

H2 Trauma Informed Care and Applied Behavior Analysis
2:30PM - 3:30PM
Jeana Koerber, PhD

This presentation will focus on applied behavior analysis and how the principles intersect with trauma informed care. Case examples will be presented to highlight how the principles of ABA can be used in a trauma informed approach to treatment. 

Objectives:

Identify effective methods for the practical application of concepts related to improving the delivery of services for persons with developmental disabilities.

Recognize the ethical issues related to persons with developmental disabilities.

Identify and emphasize attitudes that enhance the opportunities for persons with DD to achieve their optimal potential.