Part 1: Trauma’s Influence on the Brain, Body, and Behavior: Promoting Healing and Well-Being/Part 2: Health Issues Causing Crises? What To Look For, What To Do

This session is full.

Part 1: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Trauma’s Influence on the Brain, Body, and Behavior: Promoting Healing & Well-Being
Presented by Angela Marx, PhD

Life experiences shape who we are. This session will highlight the impact of negative life experiences, such as trauma and stress, on the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It will provide information on how to recognize the influence of negative life experiences on behavioral, mental, and physical health. From a brain and healing perspective, the session will also provide strategies on how to proactively support individuals who exhibit what others may define as “difficult behaviors” while also promoting health and well-being.

Skills/Competency:

This session will provide:

• An understanding of different types of trauma and stress
• The impact that stress and trauma have in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• An introduction to basic brain functions and the effects of trauma on brain development and functioning
• Information about how to recognize some of the most common physical and behavioral expressions of trauma
• Strategies for proactive behavioral support and the promotion of well-being in individuals who have experienced trauma
• Considerations and recommendations on how take care of ourselves as caregivers to promote our own well-being

Part 2: 12:00 – 2:00 PM

Health Issues Causing Crises? What To Look For, What To Do
Presented by Marcia Stickel

Many individuals with I/DD have difficulty in understanding their pain/discomfort or telling others about it. Their lives can be greatly improved when pain/discomfort and their causes are discovered. This session will help raise your awareness of pain/discomfort possibilities that may negatively affect people you know. It will be presented with a realistic, practical perspective by a nurse who understands.

The session will include:

• Causes of pain and discomfort
• Prevention
• Behavior – a clue to discomfort or pain
• Practical ways to help
• What to share with medical professionals

Participants are welcome to bring a lunch. Only light refreshments will be provided.

Angela Marx, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in Wisconsin. She has been joining with children, adolescents, adults, and families in various roles and places for more than half her life and spent 12 years in academia studying and training in clinical psychology. Although she considers herself a scientist and uses research and knowledge, she also knows that there is so much more that we do not yet know and focuses on each person’s experiences to join and learn with them. Dr. Marx also has extensive practical and research experience with and provides clinical consultation to caregivers and direct support professionals. Dr. Marx has a private practice, Place of Mind LLC, that specializes in psychological assessment and mental health and wellness with neurodivergent children, adolescents, and adults to help them discover and define who they are and find, or create, the places where they belong and flourish.

Marcia Stickel, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Waisman WIN Program Director (retired). Marcia’s education includes a BA in Psychology as well as a BSN in Nursing. She has worked as a home health nurse and as a hospital nurse on a rehab unit, working with those who had traumatic brain injuries.Marcia has worked in community nursing in Dane County since 2003. She was a nurse care manager for individuals with both physical and severe mental health disabilities at CLA and Care Wisconsin.From 2009-2019, she worked in the Wellness Inclusion Nursing (WIN) program, an outreach program from the UW Waisman Center. WIN nurses work with individuals who have developmental disabilities or traumatic brain injuries and who live in the community and work primarily as advocates, consultants and educators.

This training is provided free of charge through the State of WI Crisis Stabilization Innovation Incentive Awards: February 2020 through December 2020.

Presented by the Dane County Collaborative Stabilization Coalition

Mission: Collaborative coalition of Dane County leaders working to stabilize, educate and support adults living with dementia or other cognitive impairments in an effort to reduce their risk of crisis.