behavioral-research-associates

2023 DDS Provider & Community Resource Fair

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 19:16:11 GMT

The Department on Disability Service (DDS) coordinates an annual resource fair to offer district residents with disabilities and their families with opportunities to engage with organizations that offer a variety of supports. Presenters include various community organizations, providers contracted with Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA), as well as providers enrolled with the DD Home & Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver. The event will offer information sessions on various topics and supports for attendees.

The Department on Disability Services (DDS) Provider Fair connects the people we serve, their families and advocates to community resources, agencies and service providers that are available to support them in various areas of their lives.

DDS is committed to persons making informed decisions regarding the services they receive and who provides them. In order to promote community integration, the fair will include organizations, government agencies, and places of interests that cater to the entire D.C. community and not just persons with disabilities.

- Parking/Metro: We recommend taking the metro or a cab to the Convention Center. However, if you are unable to use those options you can park in the nearest parking garage of your choice. Please plan ahead as there is no parking in the Convention Center.

· Closest Metro Station: Mount Vernon Square/Yellow-Green Line.

How do Caregivers Make a Difference?

Wed, 26 May 2021 18:04:39 GMT

Caregivers are perhaps some of the most selfless and charitable people in the world, as their sole mission is to help others. By having caregiver support come into their home through in-home care agencies, or as employees, persons with developmental disabilities or those in need will be able to feel safe in their own home environment, while ensuring they are in good hands in terms of their health and well-being.

Having a caregiver on hand allows the person served to have a quality of life that he or she would not be able to have without the help of a professional caregiver. There are several ways that caregivers make huge differences in the people that they care for, such as:

Medication management not only allows the caregiver to assist their patient with the medication that he or she needs to take , but they can be there to monitor the individual in case of any negative reaction or side effects of the medicine. It is important that the caregiver is aware of the medical history of the person served and by the caregiver doing their research and being diligent, they could ensure the individual is feeling their best by keeping them on their proper medication schedule.
Personal care allows the individual to feel as though personal hygiene is a top priority that will not be neglected due to the inability to care for oneself. Unfortunately, as people both age and progress in their illnesses, they may be unable to care for themselves and keep up with their personal hygienic routine. This can cause a plethora of health issues and problems for the person served, which the caregiver can actually help mitigate . Caregivers are able to be there to help with bathing, toileting, dressing, and grooming , which will allow the person served to maintain a clean and healthy personal hygienic routine. Not only will this help the person served physically, but it may lift the individual’s spirits as well! When someone looks good and is clean, they feel good, which can overall improve their quality of life and their mood!
Companionship services allow caregivers and the person served to bond with each other , which likely stems from spending so much time together over a prolonged period of time. As individuals get older, he or she may start to experience the loss of their friends or perhaps they are unable to get out of the house and socialize the way they used to. Eventually, that loneliness will turn into depression and it may manifest into a health issue that is beyond the individual’s control.
Light housekeeping is an imperative way for a caregiver to make a difference in the life of the person served. Similar to personal care services, light housekeeping allows the individual to remain healthy and happy, which will improve their quality of life. These tasks include maintaining a sanitary & functional environment, organization of clutter, taking out the trash, laundry, and doing dishes. By maintaining a healthy, functional, and organized environment, a caregiver can not only make a difference in the lives of the person served but in the lives of the person’s family and friends who may be worried about their loved ones.

As mentioned above, one of the biggest ways that a caregiver can make a difference in the lives of those they serve is by providing a service that will give the family members and friends of the person served peace of mind that their loved one is in good hands. By taking the time to care for this individual, not only are they giving them the ability to live a happy, fulfilled, and healthy life, but they are giving their support system a chance to take a break from worrying about their family member or friend.

Caregivers can make an extremely large impact on the lives of the person served, the community that they support, and the families that they come in contact with. Caregivers are gentle, compassionate, kind, and generous human beings that devote their time to ensuring other people are happy, healthy, and living the life that they deserve.

Providing Care for Persons with Developmental Disabilities: Philosophy and Current Thoughts

Mon, 24 May 2021 18:04:40 GMT

Consider that the “best practice” concepts or principles in providing care to persons with developmental disabilities, must always be based on the key human-social foundation of respect and dignity.

But what is a developmental disability?

A disability is not an illness, even though it may lead to increased needs of a person. Developmental disabilities may be characterized as functional impairments that may affect a person’s behavior development and could be physical or cognitive. As such, the person involved would most likely be unable to function in accordance with a normal development profile. This disability type can be observed across all racial and ethnic groupings and is not limited to gender or socio-economic statuses.

A noticeable feature is that developmental disabilities tend to begin or show themselves in young childhood, affecting the individual’s ability to function normally in many areas, and generally continues throughout the individual’s life – http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html .

The challenge is further exacerbated because there are many different types of developmental disabilities, such as intellectual disability, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, autistic spectrum disorders, ADHD, hearing & vision impairment, and learning disabilities to name a few. These various types are all special and distinct and required specialized treatment and care.

Specialty and distinctions aside, how do we care for the population or group of persons?

Sometimes the care is provided in the person’s home with or by family members, and other times, it is necessary to have the person in a setting such as a long-term care facility or group home that better provides for the range and levels of care, wellness and supports.

In the group home setting, the direct support professional (DSP) is probably the caregiver who works most directly with the person served. Remember, the person would be in the long-term care facility or group home in order to have better access to a whole range of services and even though the DSP is specifically mentioned above, the nurses, doctors, dietitians, social workers, occupational and physical therapists, and many others would all be part of the “grouping of caregivers”.

Working with the key principle in the delivery of care - Respect & Dignity

Always address the person served, never the disability. The DSP should never say “he/she is a blind person”, but rather could say “he/she has a visual impairment”.
Always permit or allow the person served to be independent, productive and integrated into the activities around. Yes, they may have limitations – and who doesn’t? – but they can still be independent in some ways.
The DSP should never take over doing something just because they can do it faster or even better, and of course, you would never push the person to do something that you know they are unable to do or accomplish.
The DSP should always seek to integrate or involve or include the person served in the activities with all other persons to the extent that it’s safe and appropriate to do so.
Always encourage self-determination and participation. The goal here is to give them choices – “do you want to brush your teeth first or shower”, for example. All people have a need to part of something or to be involved with others around them.
Speak to all persons respectfully and politely.
Speak with them and not about them. Include them in all your conversations.
Explain things to them in a way that they will understand. Continue observing and making changes to the way you present or communicate with them to ensure that they do understand you.
Encourage them to think by asking questions, not just telling them what to do.
Always respect differences, needs, and values.
Consider other people’s feelings and concerns, even when they are different from our own. We are all different and will always have differences in opinions and values.
Do not be judgmental.

These are basic guidelines. Reflect on them and incorporate them into the way you provide care to persons with developmental disabilities.

3 Reasons to Consider a Career Helping Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Fri, 21 May 2021 18:04:40 GMT

(Reprinted from: https://www.pathwaysofpa.com/3-reasons-to-consider-a-career-helping-adults-with-intellectual-disabilities/ )

Whether you’re interested in working in mental or behavioral services, you can help individuals with intellectual disabilities. Careers working with intellectually disabled individuals are wide-ranging and can be very rewarding.

An intellectual disability, as defined by the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), is “characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem-solving) and in adaptive behavior, which covers a range of everyday social and practical skills.” It notes these disabilities manifest before adulthood.

Here are three reasons to consider a career in helping adults with intellectual disabilities:

#1: A Rewarding Career

By working with individuals who are intellectually disabled, you are helping someone with special needs to conquer the daily challenges life can throw their way. You can celebrate their successes and help them through difficult times.

Additionally, as they grow older, you can help these individuals find their place in the world. The Developmental Disabilities Resource Board (DDRB) noted in its 2016 survey that individuals with intellectual disabilities reported a desire to be self-determined and work within the community. In recent years, the opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities have expanded, and you can be a key factor in helping your patients develop bonds and cultivate work opportunities. You can help them develop a life vision and long-term goals in order to fill the need we all feel to be a part of our community and have independence.

#2: Helping Others

If you’ve ever felt the need to help someone along their path to success, then consider a career helping intellectually disabled individuals. You can help others and find that warm fuzzy feeling inside. By working in mental services or behavioral health services, you can help others achieve their goals, improve their self-confidence, and address any internal struggles that might be holding them back. Whether it’s a self-imposed mental block or a personal struggle, you can help your patients succeed, and even exceed their own (and sometimes their family’s) expectations. The generosity with your time, your expectations, and your wholehearted interest can bring about the best success and fill your need for service.

#3: You Love Coming To Work

The million little moments working with individuals who have intellectual disabilities will make you love coming to work. Your patients won’t always love coming to see you, but many days will outweigh those negative moments. From self-discovery to self-confidence, you’ll see patients bloom as they work with you toward a better tomorrow.

As mental health or behavioral therapist, you’ll build an indescribable bond with your patients. You will celebrate their achievements, mourn their losses, and everything in-between. While working with your patients, you’ll come to understand how you can help them achieve their hopes and dreams, while trying to protect them from judgment when the outside world doesn’t understand. You’ll not only be their therapist, but you’ll also be their cheerleader.