Wellness for Every Body: Training for Staff Who Support Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Time: Tuesday, June 25, 2013, from 2:00pm to 3:00 PM EST
Presenters:
Carolyn Novak, M.S., R.D., Community Health Specialist, Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department
Dianne Blaydes, R.D., L.D., Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department
Sarah Yates, JD, Program Analyst, Health and Disability Project, National Association of County and City Health Officials
Obesity is a public health epidemic, and the crisis is worse for people with disabilities. Adults with disabilities are 58 percent more likely to be obese than adults without disabilities, and children and adolescents with disabilities are 38 percent more likely to be obese than children without disabilities. To address this problem Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department developed Wellness for Every Body (WFEB), an online training program for direct service providers. WFEB uses an environmental approach that targets adult care homes for intervention and creates conditions that establish healthy living as the norm. The training is available 24/7 to teach the basics of nutrition, cooking, and physical activity so direct service providers can support active living and healthy practices in group homes and organizations serving people with I/DD. Due to its environmental approach, WFEB is applicable to other service provider settings, such as behavioral health, traumatic brain injury, and the elderly and people with physical disabilities. In 2013, Wellness for Every Body was recognized as a Promising Practice by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Model and Promising Practices Program. Join NACCHO and Hennepin County Public Health to learn about this program and how you can use it in your jurisdiction.
Space is limited. Reserve your seat now for this HealthMeet webinar.
The Arc Offers Peer Learning Community on Supporting Healthy Relationships
Time: Session start June 19, 2013 and run through July 24, 2013
Are you the leader of a self-advocacy group or support organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)? If so, you have probably encountered questions about how to find, start and nourish healthy relationships from friendships to dating and beyond.
The Arc has launched an exciting new concept to help people with I/DD and those who support them address tough issues and areas of concern unique to people with I/DD called Peer Learning Communities.
What’s a Peer Learning Community?
A Peer Learning Community is a structured online information exchanges running over a period of six weeks. During this time chapters of The Arc and other support organizations, experts in the field and others can come together to discuss a specific topic, learn best practices and discuss new ideas through a series of online sessions and presentations, discussion groups and other electronic communication designed to facilitate and collect the free flow of information.
Our upcoming Peer Learning Community deals exclusively with supporting healthy relationships for people with I/DD. During these sessions, you’ll learn how to empower people to make healthy relationship decisions. Topics will include, dating tips, developing effective communication skills, red flags, and signals of unhealthy relationships, as well as ways that your group can provide information and support. Up to three participants from your organization can be a part of this Peer Learning Community for a one-time registration fee of only $279 for the full six week program and accompanying resources.
Register Now for Supporting Healthy Relationships
Questions? Contact Nichole Goble at goble@thearc.org or Kate Hull at hull@thearc.org.
Early Access to Care – Reduce the average age at autism diagnosis and increase access to evidence-based early intervention services
Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2013, from 2:00pm to 3:00 PM EST
Presenter: Lauren Elder, PhD
Lauren Elder, PhD, is the Assistant Director of Dissemination Science at Autism Speaks. She will be speaking on Autism Speaks’ Early Access to Care initiative, which seeks to reduce the average age of diagnosis and increase access to high-quality early intervention for all children on the autism spectrum. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders can be diagnosed as early as two years of age, however the average age of diagnosis for autism in the United States remains stubbornly close to 5 years old and is even higher in some ethnic minority communities. Many families lack access to effective early intervention therapies regardless of early diagnosis. Join us to learn more about what Autism Speaks is doing improve access to care and ways your efforts combined with those of others in your community can help make a difference.
Space is limited. Reserve your seat now for this HealthMeet webinar.
Service Implications of the DSM-5 for People with Autism
Time: Tuesday, May 28, 2013, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM EST
Speakers: The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) will be released in May and is accompanied by much talk about what this will mean for individuals with autism and their families when it comes to obtaining a diagnosis and receiving services. In this webinar, the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) will discuss the various revisions to the autism diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5, along with the service provision implications. Presenters will address breaking down silos between those diagnosed with Asperger’s disorder and those with other autism spectrum disorder diagnoses. This webinar will also provide strategies to help inform educators, clinicians and other professionals about the diversity among people on the autism spectrum. Do not miss this groundbreaking webinar – register today!
Space is limited. Reserve your seat now for the May 28, 2013 webinar.
Amy Goodman, Co-Director of the Autism NOW National Autism Resource and Information Center, will join The Inclusive Class Podcast on Friday, May 17 at 9:00 a.m. EST for a 30-minute chat about inclusive education for students with autism and other developmental disabilities.
The Inclusive Class is hosted by Nicole Eredics, founder of the online resource, The Inclusive Class and Terri Mauro, author of 50 Ways to Support Your Child’s Special Education and The Everything Parent’s Guide to Sensory Integration Disorder. Nicole is an elementary educator who has spent over 15 years teaching in an inclusive classroom setting creating and discovering solutions for integrating students with special needs in the classroom. Terri Mauro is one of the most recognized experts on special education and special needs parenting on the Internet.
Tune in for Amy’s unique perspective as a person who identifies as being on the autism spectrum on Blog Talk Radio on May 17. Also, you can access the podcast after it airs on Blog Talk Radio, on iTunes and on The Inclusive Class website.
Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Dementia; Assessment and Healthcare Practices
Time: Wednesday, May 15, 2013, from 2:00pm to 3:00 PM EST
Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities are aging and living longer than ever. Decline in their daily function with the possibility of developing dementia increases with age, especially in adults with Down syndrome. Seth Keller, MD Immediate Past President of the AADMD and Co-Chair of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices will review how changes in function can be assessed so that an accurate and early diagnosis of dementia can be determined. Healthcare advocacy and practices are all essential in ensuring that appropriate therapies and planning for eventual decline and associated complications are anticipated and cared for. The guidelines of the National Task Group will also be reviewed.
Space is limited. Reserve your seat now for this HealthMeet webinar.
Transportation Options and Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities
Time: Tuesday, April 30, 2013, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM EST
Speakers: Amy Goodman, Autism NOW, Krystian Boreyko, Easter Seals
Krystian Boreyko of Easter Seals Project ACTION joins Co-Director Amy Goodman for this webinar to discuss the various transportation options that are available to individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities! Presenters will discuss regulations that protect the rights of people with disabilities including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Air Carrier Access Act; accommodations that are offered to individuals who use public transportation, aircrafts and other modes of transportation; issues regarding touch and personal space; the process of obtaining a driver’s license and more!
Space is limited. Register for the April 30, 2013 webinar today.
Improving Outcomes and Quality of Life for Adults with Autism
Time: Wednesday, April 24, 2013, from 2:00pm to 3:00 PM EST
There are many quality indicators that can impact the lives of adults on the autism spectrum. Recent studies have outlined the lack of appropriate outcomes for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) once they leave their educational entitlement and enter adult services, particularly several years out. This webinar will review the literature on current outcomes for adults with ASD and the factors that contribute to good quality of life. Our speakers, Leslie Long and Dave Kearon will review several domains that will help impact individuals overall daily lifestyles include employment, housing and residential support, post-secondary education and community life.
The registration for this webinar is closed, and it is now only available on-demand.
View Improving Outcomes and Quality of Life for Adults with Autism on-demand.
Date: April 11, 2013
Location: Summersville, WV
Highlight: Autism NOW co-director Amy Goodman will participate in a panel discussion titled “Living My Dream.”
To learn more about the conference, visit the website.
Preparing for Fires and Other Emergencies
Time: Tuesday, April 2, 2013, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM EST
Speakers: Lisa Braxton, National Fire Protection Association and Chris Lacy, Autism ALERT, Inc.
This webinar will bring together experts from organizations that focus on emergency preparedness and safety planning for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Speakers from the National Fire Protection Association and Autism ALERT will provide an overview of their work and share useful information, tools and resources for individuals and families. Topics covered will include fire safety, trainings for first responders and caregivers, search and rescue protocols, safety plans and more! Register today!
Space is limited. Reserve your seat now for the April 2, 2013 webinar.
