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June 28, 2022
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NEWS & VIEWS
Featured Spotlight
PTSD Awareness Month

 
June is PTSD Awareness Month. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a result of experiencing or being exposed to – either directly or indirectly - a traumatic life event. People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear or anger; they may be over-reactive; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people. People with PTSD may avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event, and they may have strong negative reactions to something as ordinary as a loud noise or an accidental touch.
 
PTSD is more common than most people think. This is true for the general population and especially true for people with disabilities.  People with IDD/MH are much more likely to be exposed to traumatic life events and also more likely to develop PTSD from this exposure.
 
PTSD has many different causes. PTSD can result from a variety of different life events. In addition to the big events that we often think of in relation to trauma (assault, accidents, severe neglect, etc), people with IDD encounter multiple negative life events such as bullying, exclusion, abrupt moves/transitions, loss of family, loss of caregivers. Any of these can be experienced as traumatic by an individual.
 
Trauma affects people in different ways. What one person experiences as traumatic, may not be experienced as traumatic by another person.  We all bring our own life history and resilience to life situations. In addition, the symptoms of PTSD may look different from person to person. Different traumas create different triggers. The triggers are unique to the individual, so we need to listen carefully and respect when someone communicates verbally or non-verbally that situations are stressful for them.
People can recover from PTSD!  This is the good news – that people grow and heal.  Just as we understand that trauma changes the way the brain responds, we also know that there is capacity for healing.  Providing all supports, services, and treatment from a trauma-informed perspective is critical to this healing. A key part of trauma-informed care is creating access to appropriate trauma treatments for people with IDD.  A trauma informed approach and appropriate treatment promote healing and resilience.
As the START network, we know first-hand that people with IDD experience trauma and present with trauma symptoms that are often misinterpreted. During this month of PTSD awareness, let us continue our work to offer a clearer perspective and engage individuals and systems of support through a trauma informed lens.
Summer Professional Development Opportunity
Registration is Open
Positive-Interactive-Behavioral Therapy (P-IBT):
Positive Group Psychotherapy for
Individuals with Intellectual and Psychiatric Disabilities

5-Day Training Course in New Hampshire

August 15-19, 2022
at the University of New Hampshire

Learn More and Register
Presented by: Dan Tomasulo, PhD, TEP, MFA, MAPP, Teachers College, Columbia University

When: Monday August 15th - Friday August 19th, 2022

Where:
University of New Hampshire Campus
Memorial Union Building, Room 164
83 Main St, Durham, NH 03824

Intended Audience: Mental health therapists/counselors, social workers, service coordinators/care coordinators, & direct support professionals that support individuals with intellectual/ developmental disabilities and mental health needs. No credentials required. Space is limited.

Cost: $1,249
Presented by: Dan Tomasulo, PhD, TEP, MFA, MAPP, Teachers College, Columbia University

When: August 15-19, 2022
(Monday - Friday)

Where:
University of New Hampshire Campus
Memorial Union Building, Room 164
83 Main St, Durham, NH 03824

Intended Audience: Mental health therapists/counselors, social workers, service coordinators/care coordinators, & direct support professionals that support individuals with intellectual/ developmental disabilities and mental health needs. No credentials required. Space is limited.

Cost: $1,249
This 30-hour week-long in-person course will provide attendees with the skills and tools needed to facilitate P-IBT sessions within their own practice settings. A multi-modal instruction approach includes didactic lectures, group discussion, demonstrations, and experiential learning through expressive writing and role-playing.

Participants will recieve a certificate of completion, confirmaing achievement of learning objectives and the skillset to facilitate P-IBT groups in their communities. This certificate will include 3.0 UNH CEUs (30 contact hours). Applications for additional CE clock hours pending.
Learn More and Register
News and Views July Schedule Change

Please note there will be no News & Views next week, July 5th. We will resume our weekly emails the following week. Thank you.
Have a healthy and happy week,

National Center for START Services

 
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Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire