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Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Co-Occurring Behavioral Health Needs: Louisiana

Wellness, Trauma, and Nervous System Regulation: Supporting Individuals with IDD and Mental Health

Brandi Kelly, Ph.D.
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Information

Date & Time

Description

Wellness and Trauma Informed Support represent interconnected considerations. In this way, when supporting wellness becomes a central focus, there is a natural inclusion of the most crucial components of trauma informed supports. Individuals with IDD experience trauma more often than individuals without IDD, and they often need support to identify and access wellness related supports. Positive mental and physical health outcomes are not possible without presence of core wellness activities and trauma informed supports. When these supports are absent and individuals experience significant and/or repeated trauma, nervous system dysregulation occurs leading to increased challenges and mental health symptoms. In this workshop, participants will learn how to improve wellness indicators and decrease mental health symptom presentation using core wellness and trauma informed supports with a focus on addressing nervous system regulation strategies.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Participants will be able to identify at least 2 positive outcomes when individuals with IDD (and their families) are provided education and tools to build wellness and support nervous system regulation proactively

  • Participants will be able to describe at least 2 key linkages between absence of wellness and increased mental health challenges

  • Participants will be able to describe at least 2 ways wellness acts as a protective factor against trauma impacts

  • Participants will be able to identify at least 2 education and support strategies that lead to successful wellness practices for individuals with IDD

Educational Goal

Behavioral health professionals will increase their knowledge of wellness and trauma related factors and supports for individuals with IDD and mental health needs. Impacts and considerations around nervous system dysregulation will also be identified.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Nurse
  • Physician
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Brandi Kelly, Ph.D.
Dr. Brandi Kelly, PhD, received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from LSU in 1998 and post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology from Alliant University in 2002. She has worked extensively providing person-centered and wellness focused support planning and behavioral health services to individuals with developmental disabilities and has published research on assessment/treatment of behavioral health concerns of individuals with developmental disabilities. She has been instrumental in key initiatives in Louisiana to increase capacity to support individuals with co-occurring needs to live/work in their communities while navigating the logistics of fiscal/resource challenges in partnership with self-advocates, advocacy organizations, providers, and other state agencies. She received the Bernard R. Wagner Leadership in Developmental Disabilities award, Special Recognition for Enhancing the Wellness of Individuals with IDD from the Arc of Louisiana, and was the 2023 NADD Member of the Year. She currently sits on the NADD Board and Conference Committee. She has published in the area of MH needs and wellness for individuals with IDD.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Aetna Better Health of Louisiana
  • Humana Healthy Horizons in Louisiana
  • Louisiana Healthcare Connections