Presenters: Alan Kurtz, Ph.D. Center for Community including and Disability Studies, Unversity of Maine; and Nicole LeBlanc, Disability Employment, Policy Consultant
Date: June 2022
This training will deepen your understanding of students and young adults who experience autism. You will explore challenges related to communication, motivation, social interaction, anxiety, and sensory issues which can get in the way of education, employment, participation, and independence. You will explore the neurological basis of these challenges as well as positive-proactive strategies proven useful in assisting people to be successful in their high schools, employment, colleges, families, and communities. The working title of this training is “Supporting Employment for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum” though it covers a broader aspect of life than just employment.
Knowledge Itself is Power: Helping Understand Developmental Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder Using an Executive Functioning Framework
Presenter: Leo Vecchione, Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Date: 3/21/2022
As we do our work in Developmental Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder, how often do we stop and ask ourselves what the nature of a disability is? Fundamental understanding of developmental and intellectual disabilities helps us conceptualize treatment geared specifically toward the individuals we serve. The goal of this session is to understand executive functioning by exploring inhibition, motivation, working memory, behavior, as well as the feedback loop of the results of our actions and the actions of the people we support. This framework helps us give positive supports while helping avoid some of the conflicts that can arise when we misunderstand peoples strengths and challenges.
Sex Offender Discussion Group
The Sex Offender Discussion Group (SODG) holds quarterly meetings that provide ongoing training and clinical support plan strategies for Designated Agency and Specialized Services Agency staff and people who provide natural supports who work and live with individuals who have sexual and violent offending behaviors. Additional information about the Sex Offender Discussion Group
Vermont Communication Taskforce (VCTF) Trainings
Walking the Talk of Presuming Competence - In the world of augmentative/alternative communication (AAC), the "presumption of competence" is seen as a core guiding principle for supporting a person who uses AAC.
Vermont Clinical Training Consortium (VCTC)
The Vermont Clinical Training Consortium (VCTC) was formed in response to a recognized need for more readily available resources for therapeutic support of adults and children exhibiting the symptoms of complex trauma and difficulties with self-regulation. VCTC members are committed to an effective, ethical clinical approach promoted via positive, trauma-focused self-regulation training and effective follow-along supervision.
Unconditional positive regard is the cornerstone value of the approach the consortium advocates.
VCTC is made up of clinicians representing multiple developmental disabilities provider agencies, the Assistant Director and Director of the Vermont Crisis Intervention Network, the Co-Executive/Clinical Director of the Francis Foundation and a Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) representative.
VCTC has developed a training curriculum, “The Transformative Power of Relationships,” tailored for a direct support worker and service coordinator audience, that is delivered by VCTC presenters.
For further information about VCTC activities please contact DDSD Quality Reviewer at 802-241-0288.