The OBD Triage Institute

Organic Brain Dysfunction

Addictions Treatment Design for Individuals Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Focus of Training

Individuals living with, or suspected to have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) present with unique challenges in treatment for addictions. Diverse variances within the diagnosis of FASD indicate that no two people present with the same physical, cognitive, sensory, and behavioural issues. As a result, patient-specific strategies are essential to the success of the individual and treatment program. The gathering of a social history reflecting maternal alcohol use, in combination with persistent executive functioning problems, may be a red flag indicator to the clinician that the individual may require further medical investigation into the possibility of FASD regardless of race, financial, or educational status.

It appears that the importance of identifying and acknowledging the potential physical and sensory issues within this patient population has been highly underestimated. More recently, it has become apparent that these issues very often compromise the initial engagement of the individual and/or effectiveness of the designated program. In many cases, unidentified issues may present as an unwillingness to participate, unplanned exit from the program and ultimately, an elevated risk for relapse. This seminar will focus on FASD sensitive treatment considerations, and effective intervention strategies and techniques for professionals involved in addictions prevention, treatment, counselling and aftercare.

Topics

• Current research in physical, cognitive, executive functioning, and sensory integration issues within this patient population that directly impact addictions treatment

• Identification of issues that increase risk for addictions for individuals living with a FASD

• Determining cognitive and executive functioning abilities in patient-specific treatment

• Evaluating Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) factors, learning, and executive functioning abilities, strengths, and personal interests in treatment planning

• Creating patient-specific, strength-based strategy development and prevention techniques using The OBD 3 Steps Plan of Action

• Ensuring treatment information is understandable to the individual living with a diagnosis within FASD

• Variables in treatment modalities and considerations in modifications

• Accessing and maintaining patient-specific community based aftercare and service delivery

• Diagnostic Interpretation of Abilities Clinics (DIAC) © process

Target Audience

• Addictions Treatment Therapists, Physicians, Counsellors, Social Workers, Mental Health Workers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Nurses, Homeless Shelter Staff, University/College Students.

*Certificates of Completion are provided and may be applicable to the Professional Association Training Credits requirements in your area. This seminar has been reviewed and approved by the Canadian Centre for Substance Abuse Resource Data Bank. Previous participant evaluations and references are available by request.

Schedule

This seminar is scheduled for presentation in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on November 23-24th, 2011.

For groups preferring onsite training, the seminar is available for presentation in your community.

Fee Schedule:

$498.75 Canadian funds (including G.S.T.)