The International Certificate Programme in Dual Diagnosis

Core Program - Level 1 Certificate (4 courses required)

Advanced Multi-Modal Contextual Behavioral Analysis and Supports for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders. Participants will learn to conduct a comprehensive multi-modal contextual behavioural assessment to guide decisions about treatment. Participants will learn to design treatment procedures based on the assessment to enhance personal competencies and reduce challenging behaviors in persons with developmental disabilites and autism. Advanced topics covered will include the biopsychosocial model, skills training, anxiety and anger management, self-management training, motivational/emotional modification and mediator training. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Advances in Behavioural Interventions for Children, Adolescents and Adults with Mental Health and Behavioural Problems Related to Autism Spectrum Disorders. This course covers recent developments in the treatment of behavioural and mental problems in individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Course instructors will be internationally renowned experts in the behavioural treatment of ASD.(Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Advances in Behavioural Interventions for Children, Adolescents and Adults with Mental Health and Behavioural Problems Related to Developmental Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders - Part II. This continuing series covers recent developments in the treatment of behavioural and mental health problems with DD and ASD. Part II focuses on different topics from Part I, and is taught by instructors who are internationally renowned experts in the behavioural treatment of persons with DD and ASD. Topics may include: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dilectical Behaviour Therapy, Positive Behaviour Support, Parent Training, Social Skills Training and Habit Reversal. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Advocacy and Influencing Systems to Support Persons with a Dual Diagnosis. The nature of intra- and inter-organizational coordination and cooperation in support of persons who have developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. Designed for staff, supervisors, managers and other professionals involved in individual and system-wide advocacy initiatives. Topics to be covered include policy development in the field of developmental disabilities, self-advocacy, systemic, legislative and legal advocacy.

Approaches to Assessment and Counselling for People with Dual Diagnosis who have Experienced Abuse. This week will include discussion of challenges related to the diagnosis of mental health concerns in people who have intellectual disabilities and especially those who have experienced trauma and abuse. This will include examination of DM-ID criteria for PTSD. Approaches to therapy will be reviewed with a particular focus on the accommodations necessary to address the needs of people with dual diagnosis. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Approaches to Family Counselling in Dual Diagnosis. The focus of this week will be on understanding the nature of family systems; the impact on families of having a family member with a dual diagnosis and the importance of the family to the person with the diagnosis; approaches to assessment; support and intervention with families. Participants will be introduced to major theoretical orientations to family counselling and the intervention techniques associated with them. There will also be a focus on the use of creativity, story telling, humour and metaphor in working with families. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Demystifying the Mental Health Diagnostic Criteria for Persons who are Developmentally Disabled. This course will provide a differential diagnostic approach to apply DSM IV diagnostic criteria for the mental health disorders for persons with developmental disabilities. In particular, the training will demonstrate how to adapt standard mental health disgnostic criteria to persons with limited communication skills.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - Intellectual Disabilities. In 2007 NADD published the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - Intellectual Disabilities to provide guidance on the application of the DSM criteria to persons with intellectual disabilities. The manual was a collaborative effort between NADD, the American Psychiatric Association, and a host of experts in the field of dual diagnosis. This session will provide intensive training on all aspects of the new DM-ID. Instructors will be professionals from the expert panels that created the new manual. A copy of the abridged manual will be given to each participant.

Heredity and Behavior: Insights Gained from Genetic Syndromes. Advances in genetics have led to the delineation of many specific biological causes of developmental disabilities. Among these are several intriguing syndromes, which are characterized by specific, and often unusual, cognitive and psychiatric features. Recognition of the physiological basis for these behaviors has important practical implications for those affected and for the study of behavior in the general population. (Completion of this course may apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Incorporating Behavioural Phenotypes into Applied Behaviour Analysis. This course will provide a foundation of common genetic syndromes associated with dual diagnosis of intellectual disability and challenging behaviour/psychiatric involvement. Knowledge of the unique genetic interplay of syndromes to the environment, methods of learning and social engagement provide an important element to a comprehensive understanding of the antecedents and contributing conditions of severe challenging behaviour. This course, co-taught by a genetic counselor with a certified applied behaviour analyst, will provide the participant with insights into the underpinnings of severe challenging behaviour in people with genetic syndromes. These insights can offer keys to unlocking the individualized function of the behaviour. (Completion of this course may apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Multi-Modal Behavioral Supports. A biopsychosocial case formulation approach to understanding the instigating conditions, vulnerabilities and maintaining influences of challenging behavior. A case study approach will be used to teach a multimodal contextual behavior analytic model to integrate assessment and intervention methods for challenging behavior.

Principles and Processes of Applied Behaviour Analysis. This course covers the principles, processes, concepts and methods of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) - the scientific application of learning principles to solve a wide range of human problems and enhance well-being. The principles and methods will be illustrated through everyday life and clinical examples. The course is consistent with the specifications of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board in the United States.

Self Injury and Aggression in Persons with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. The session will explore the most common factors responsible for the maintenance of self-injury and aggression, describe methods for protection from risk during assessment, identify the defining features of indirect, descriptive, and functional analysis approaches to assessment and the major strengths and limitations of each general approach to assessment. Participants will learn to explore assessment using indirect (rating scale and questionnaire) procedures, through descriptive (direct observation) analysis procedures, and how to conduct an assessment using functional analysis procedure, and to to develop treatment strategies that flow from the functional assessments. Participants will also learn how a functional assessment may be useful in developing an integrated behavioral and pharmacological treatment strategy. General aggression and self-injury are the main focus of the course, however some consideration will be given to persons who present with sexual self-injury and aggression. (Completion of this course may apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Supporting Family Systems Where There is a Dual Diagnosis. Understanding and supporting families who have a member with a dual diagnosis. Sensitization to the complex issues facing family members as they address the challenges of diagnosis, intervention planning and advocacy. Topics include grieving issues, special challenges facing parents, siblings, and other family members, counseling issues for families and family centered management processes.

Clinical Applications - Level 2 Certificate (2 courses required)

Advanced Multi-Modal Contextual Behavioral Analysis and Supports for Persons with Developmental Disabilities and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders. See description in Level 1 above. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Advances in Behavioural Interventions for Children, Adolescents and Adults with Mental Health and Behavioural Problems Related to Developmental Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders - Part II. See description in Level 1 above. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Approaches to Assessment and Counselling for People with Dual Diagnosis who have Experienced Abuse. See description in Level 1 above. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Approaches to Family Counselling in Dual Diagnosis. See description in Level 1 above. (Completion of this course will apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Counseling Applications for Persons with Developmental Disabilities. Participants will be introduced to a range of counselling approaches that have been adapted for persons with developmental disabilities. The course will be taught by a group of clinicians who apply counselling techniques to assist individuals who are experiencing grief and loss, mental health challenges such as depression or post traumatic stress syndrome, or relationship challenges (couple counselling). Applications to sexual abuse and offenders will also be addressed. The course will be helpful to clinicians seeking adaptations of traditional approaches for this population. However the counselling approaches will also be of help to individuals who support persons with developmental disabilities in residential and day programmes, who may be responsible for working with mental health professionals in their area to adapt programmes to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.

Heredity and Behavior: Insights Gained from Genetic Syndromes. See description in Level 1 above. (Completion of this course may apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Incorporating Behavioural Phenotypes into Applied Behaviour Analysis. See description in Level 1 above. (Completion of this course may apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Psychopharmacological Approaches to Complex Mental Health Challenges. Psychokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles, pharmacological treatment of DSM IV-R Axis 1 disorders and the role in symptomatic treatment of challenging behaviors, and PRN use will be discuessed. Interactive case illustrations will be used.

Self Injury and Aggression in Persons with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. See description in Level 1 above. (Completion of this course may apply to either the Level 1 or Level 2 certificate.)

Sexuality and Offending Behavior. Deviance, counterfeit deviance and the evaluation of risk will be explored as they relate to persons with intellectual disabilities who offend sexually. Assessment and intervention issues will be explored for both children and adults who offend.

Management and Leadership - Level 3 Certificate (2 courses required)

Management and Leadership Issues - Part I. Focus on management and leadership issues facing supervisors and managers in services for persons who have developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. An opportunity to examine systemic issues that arise in complex service delivery networks. Both micro topics, such as: motivating staff, managing conflict, building high performance teams, avoiding the traps of stress and burnout; and macro topics, such as: dealing with power and politics, the impact of organizational structure and organizational culture on individuals in the organization, rethinking reward systems, strategies for developing and leading human service professionals, and creating and maintaining effective relationships with the Board of Directors.

Management and Leadership Issues - Part II. This course will provide managers and leaders in contemporary human service organizations with a toolkit of essential management and leadership skills. Topics to be covered include (but are not limited to): human resource management "tricks of the trade" in areas such as: talent management, leading change, coaching, mentoring, succession planning, transformational leadership skills and beyond, managing stress and burnout, shaping the respectful and effective workplace organizational culture and eliminating workplace toxicity.

Exploring Key Competencies for Leaders and Managers in Human Service Organizations. This course will focus on key competencies for leaders and managers in contemporary human service organizations. Topics will include (but not be limited to): facilitating effective teams, building positive relationships with colleagues and supervisees, increasing interpersonal awareness (emtional quotient), fostering creativity and cross-cultural sensitivity, and building a consumer orientation. This course will include opportunities for participants to examine ways in which these concepts can be applied in their agencies and to engage in problem-solving participant-generated real-life agency scenarios.