I had the opportunity to complete a seven-week internship within the Toronto Adult Neurodevelopmental Services Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). During my time at CAMH, I had the chance to shadow multiple Developmental Service Workers to provide support for clients ages 16 and above diagnosed with Developmental Disability (DD) and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presenting with mental health concerns or severe challenging behaviour problems. I also had the opportunity to work with over 10 different clients and their families to develop and implement comprehensive support plans. Overall, the time I spent at CAMH was filled with multiple instances that coincide with almost all the Learning Outcomes outlined in …show more content…
Dual diagnosis refers to the co-existence of a developmental disability (DD) and a mental health problem, and those who present with this type of diagnosis receive support from a number of different experts on CAMH’s interdisciplinary team. Before any client is admitted to the inpatient unit, the team attempts to collect as much information about the individuals as possible (i.e. past diagnoses, family history, psychological/behaviour assessments, etc.) and document this information on their online database and in separate client binders located on the unit. In order to build a rapport with each other clients, I started by first reading each of their binders and files. This information gave me a better understanding of their strengths and needs, as well as the best ways to communicate. For example, client PC, presenting with ASD, DD, and ADHD, was mostly nonverbal and communicated by touching your hand and guiding you or by using loud vocalizations. While becoming familiar with his file, I learned that he could read, write and understand basic math equations at a grade 3 level. Using this information, I prepared a package filled with different worksheets and sat with him in the lounge while he completed them. Although he was nonverbal, he would communicate that he wanted me to mark his math homework by passing me the sheet and handing
In health and social care effective communication a key skill all professionals should have when working with families, carers, children and young people. Having this skill helps to build trust it can also encourage the individual to use the services. Effective communication is essential when trying to establish and maintain relationships and it is a process that involves listening, questioning, responding and understanding. However there are many barriers that can effect how effective the communication is a few examples of these barriers could be: language, personality, visual or auditory impairment or a disability. In order to over come these barriers there have been many advances in the strategies that can help in situations where the
A lot of people don’t realize the challenges of living with a child who has been diagnose with Autism can be. It is a twenty-four-hour seven day a week job no vacation, no sick time and no pay. From the time the child is diagnosed it is a constant worry especially if the parents don’t know much about the condition. It starts with continuous Doctor visits, social services, and therapy sessions, just to figure out how serious the condition may be and what level of the disability the child has and this is only this beginning. Next, to find the tools the child needs to overcome the disability, like learning development and cognitive process, social skills, comprehension capabilities, and many more depending on the severity of autism.
Our team includes six therapists and six counselors all working together with 21 at-risk youth. Our weekly routine can include assisting with independent living skills and holding breakthrough therapy sessions. This may seem daunting; however, I work with an incredible team that builds, encourages, and supports one another. Six months of working with youth in this position has changed my life for the better. I’ve learned how to be vulnerable, deal with the skeletons of my own past, and to have genuine empathy towards
I observed the interviewee as a concerned and caring mother who wanted the best for her child with autism. She was educated enough to know it was a process beyond her knowledge. The mother is a young Caucasian adult with a college education, she allowed the process and was opened minded with what the coordinators and specialists had to say. Stating, that it could be difficult to get resources because the client is unsure where he or she is to go and turn to. Autism is a disorder of social interaction, communication and behavior. Autism typically manifests itself within the first three years of life and there is usually cognitive
For this research paper my client will be known as H.C. This particular client has suffered from multiple diagnoses during his time at Sonoma Developmental Center (SDC). My client has lived at SDC since 1947, at the age of 13 years old. H.C. willingly came to SDC when his family could no longer cope with his behaviors. He liked to be independent and was an active worker when he worked at his job sites. H.C. had a bundle of past achievements that he enjoyed mentioning to his aides by pointing at pictures. At a frail age H.C. could do his activities of daily living, but needs assistance from time to time. Physically H.C. was a short man with balding white hair and had poor eyesight so he wore glasses. His walking gait was failing and his feet would shift against the floor, so he had a walker that he could use. He was socially withdrawn and would only communicate when he felt that his needs were pressed. He had trouble finding words to communicate what he wanted to say and would like to do things on his own rather than relying on staff. He also lived by his set schedule, so anytime there was an appointment set for him he needed to be reminded before his day began.
Our first speaker for SW 325 The Helping Professional in Health Settings class was Sharon Boudreaux. Sharon has a Master of Arts in Teaching of special education. She focused on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for teaching children with autism and other forms of developmental setbacks. Sharon is currently the Director of Education Outreach at the Autism Center of North Mississippi (ACNM). The ACNM, which Sharon helped in creating and growing, provides educational and behavioral services to families and schools to help support children with autism spectrum disorders, developmental delays, learning difficulties, and challenging behaviors. The ACNM offers a multitude of services. Such services may include parent counseling, skill assessments, ABA therapy, services for schools, and parent and teacher training.
After her time at the habilitation program, she moved to Colorado. Her first job in Colorado was at the Rise School of Denver, which “provides services to children with and without disabilities through an inclusive education model.” During her time at the Rise School, the executive director of Adams Camp reached out to her and provided a job description that immediately captured her interest. She rapidly transitioned into the Adams Camp environment and found her home. Jordan has the opportunity to serve 350 families every year in both Adventure Camp and other therapeutic programs that is offered by Adams Camp. But, it hasn’t all been an easy road for her at Adams Camp. She voiced, “With an aging population, we are tasked with creating age appropriate services for all. The other challenge is finding more empowering opportunities for our population.” Most people with developmental disabilities can live a long and fulfilled life, but their special needs vary by age. At the moment, Adams Camp prioritizes younger clients in order to prepare them properly for their futures. But because Jordan is so dedicated to improving the lives’ of others, she
The Human Service area that I am most interested in is Family and Child Services. After I graduate, I will be going to the nursing field so I feel that Family and Child Services is related to nursing. I instantly asked my roommate if she know anyone because she is currently going to school to become a Speech Pathologist and she works with children that have disabilities. I had the opportunity to interview Ariel Rogan, who is the Manager of Autism Behavioral Technicians, at Centria healthcare. She oversees five Autism Behavioral Technicians that conducts applied behavioral analysis therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder. She also interact with the clients from time to time. Children with autism are usually integrated with children that have typically development, which results in a high level of bullying amongst the children with this disability. I believe this organization is special because it help children with disabilities cope and improve with developments.
Special needs individuals have also deeply impacted my life. While employed with Skill Creations, I monitored the daily activities of six young men with mental and physical needs exceeding the care family members could provide. Unfortunately, some endured incredibly difficult circumstances before admission. The group home provided daily medical care as well as therapeutic services designed to encourage independence. Subsequently, my daughter's diagnosis of autism forged awareness of the innovation special needs parents exhibit discerning services to pursue for their child's future
Working in a camp situation with Autistic children with dual diagnosis has given me insight as to what parents go through on a daily basis. You’re required to look after all the camper’s needs, physically, mentally and emotionally, with very few breaks. You support the child in not just their daily living activities, but in implementing any behavioural plan, and at the same time you want this time to be memorable for them. This experience taught me empathy for the parents, ability to work and communicate with a team, and implementation of plans, all necessary qualities required as a therapist.
Megan is a freshman in high school and was placed on the autism spectrum scale when she was five years old. Megan would be considered “high-functioning” on the autism scale, meaning that she has the potential to reach levels of cognitive function similar to her peers but lacks basic social skills. For instance, Megan often has difficulty initiating conversations with her peers as well as maintaining appropriate eye contact. Throughout the semester, I met with Megan once a week and worked with both Megan and her mother every other week. Initially, Megan was very shy, however, after some time she began to warm up to the idea of peer mentoring. After a few weeks, Megan and I began to make great strides toward the development of crucial social skills. As I formed a relationship with Megan and her mother, I began to gain insight on the unique details of their family structure, which in turn provided me with the opportunity to make observational connections between class discussions and this community service experience.
As an advocate for the developmental disabled in my current role in my community, I work hard at educating the mainstream community as well as my own team and staff about the mistruths about the DD community. Who these amazing clients are. What they bring to the community. What their strengths are and what their needs may be. When one of my clients has a behavior in the group community, their employment, or home setting or the general community, I work with my clients first on deescalating the unwanted behavior then educating them on how they can work on not reaching that point. How we can create a positive behavior instead. This often can include those in the setting that the behavior occurred. No matter what the situation, the keys to helping
CBS’s mission is to assist individuals with developmental disabilities and autism with the least intrusive methodology to live and work in the least restrictive environment and maximize their potential as constructive members of society. They are based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), one to one direct instruction, consultation to parents and school staff, and individual and group workshop trainings. Each child has an individualized program according to the specific needs of the child and family.
To address the perpetual need for widespread public awareness and core education on various Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), it is important to provide the normally-born people with training and education to help them support individuals born with an ASD and how not to treat them.
Tracey, a twenty-one year old female with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) should have had transition planning began when she was either fourteen or sixteen, depending on her state of residence. At this time her postsecondary (age appropriate) goals for transition should have been determined-goals to include education, vocational training, employment, community participation, adult services, and independent living skills (Heward, 2013). This portion of her IEP, known as an individualized transition plan (ITP), would contain planning and other supports for her to be able to make a smooth transition into adulthood, in a way that is aligned with her desires, strengths, interests, and abilities, while