A G E N D A
Thursday, November 14th
9:00 – 9:10 am – Welcome with Samantha Alloway, Executive Director, The Arc of Illinois
9:10 – 10:30 am – “Understanding Dual Diagnosis – Serving People with ID/D and MI” Presented by Kim Shontz, LCSW, Director, Illinois Crisis Prevention Network Support Service Teams
People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are at a higher risk of co-occurring mental health issues – aka the “other” dual diagnosis. Historically, diagnostic overshadowing precluded people from receiving mental health services. Understanding the importance of accurate diagnosis and identifying how the symptoms of mental illness may present in a person with IDD is essential to ethical and effective mental health treatment. This session will address the history of treatment for people with a dual diagnosis, the importance of an accurate diagnosis to inform treatment planning, and utilizing the DM-ID2 to understand symptoms and diagnostic criteria for people with an intellectual/developmental disability. Learning Objectives: Understand the history of treatment for people dually diagnosed with an intellectual/developmental disability and a mental illness; Identify the importance of an accurate diagnosis to inform treatment planning; and Utilize the DM-ID2 to understand symptoms and diagnostic criteria for people with an intellectual/developmental disability
10:30 – 10:45 am – BREAK
10:45 – 11:45 pm – “Understanding and preventing suicide risk in people living with autism or intellectual disabilities—recommendations from our research program”
Presented by Cécile Bardon, PhD
People with IDD present a similar suicide risk to the general population, but it remains poorly understood. This webinar will present a research program that aims to improve our understanding, assessment and prevention of suicidal behavior in people with IDD. Through a series of projects carried out in close collaboration between suicide prevention, IDD researchers and clinicians, we developed a dynamic model of suicide risk, a series of tools to support suicide prevention (assessment and intervention) and a strategy to support these tool’s use in clinical settings.
11:45 am – 12:15 pm – LUNCH BREAK
12:15 – 12:30 pm – Tapping Exercise
Tapping, or Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), can be a game-changer when facing tough decisions or anxiety. By gently tapping on specific points of your body while focusing on your worries, you can release anxiety and gain clarity. This powerful technique helps you let go of stress, making your options seem clearer and boosting your confidence. In this brief session, we will demonstrate how to do it, so you can find calm whenever you need it!
12:30 – 1:30 pm – “Cultural and Ethical Considerations in Treating IDD/MI” Presented by Tim Barksdale
IDD occurs in all races and cultures. Cultural sensitivity and knowledge are essential during assessment and treatment. Attendees will be taught to identify how culture impacts clinical decision making for services to adults with IDD/MH. Culturally based information for medical and clinical assessment, positive behavior supports; Mental Health Condition, and crisis management to improve the quality of life for people with IDD/MH will be provided.
1:30 – 1:45 pm – “Real World Advocacy: My Dual Diagnosis and Successful Struggle for Support” Presented by Curtis Harris and Shirley Perez
Get ready for an unforgettable experience! Curtis Harris, a passionate self-advocate, will share his unflinching journey of living life to the fullest despite the challenges of a dual diagnosis. His story is one of resilience, home, and determination. This session will share honest insights, support strategies, and empowering outcomes. Shirely Perez will facilitate the conversation and help draw connections to broader advocacy efforts.
1:45 – 2:00 p.m. – BREAK
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Session from NAMI Chicago
About the Presenters
Cécile Bardon, PhD
Cécile Bardon, PhD., is professor of community psychology at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), associated director of the Center for research and intervention on suicide, ethical issues and end-of-life practices (CRISE), and researcher at the Institut universitaire en déficience intellectuelle et en trouble du spectre de l’autisme (Institut DITSA). She specializes in collaborative mixed method research on suicide prevention, particularly with people living with intellectual disabilities or autism and currently works on the development of an international Special Interest Group (SIG) on the subject with the International association for suicide prevention (IASP). She is responsible for the development of the Process-IDAS, an integrative, collaborative clinical process for suicide prevention in people living with intellectual disabilities or autism.
Tim Barksdale, Psy.D, LMSW, NADD-CC
Dr. Tim Barksdale, the Senior Executive Director of Clinical Services for Merakey supervises Clinicians and Behavioral Professionals for adults and Children with IDD/MH across the five states of PA, DE, NJ, VA & CA. He is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology, Licensed Master Social Worker, and a Mental Health First Aid Instructor. He taught as an Adjunct professor at Arcadia University and Lancaster Bible College.
Dr. Barksdale serves on the NADD Board of Directors, He is the Chair of the NADD- Clinical Certification Committee, on the Board of Governors for Friends Hospital and is the recent Past President and current Board member of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. Dr. Barksdale was the AAIDD Psychology Interest Networks,’ 2023 recipient of the Wolf Wolfensberger Valor Award, in recognition of his empowering clinical practice that amplifies the inherent dignity of all people. He is a devout Christian, and his greatest achievement is being the proud dad of a son who is a 20 – year- old artist & musician.
Curtis Harris
Curtis Harris is an activist, organizer, and self-advocate working towards disability rights and autism acceptance. He is a board member with Chicagoland Autism Connection and has worked with organizations including Access Living, ADAPT, Refuse Fascism, and numerous other working towards civil rights and health care for all. Curtis lives in Chicago, in supportive housing.
Shirley Perez
Shirley A. Perez is the Program Director of the Ligas Family Advocate Program and the Family Support Network. Ms. Perez has thirty-five plus years of advocating and working with individuals and their families with disabilities. She is a business graduate of Metropolitan Business College and Kaplan University. She operated her own business, worked at an ISC Agency where she advocated for and assisted families in locating services by navigating the State system. In conjunction with the City of Chicago, Federal Home Loan Bank and The Illinois Housing Development Authority, she implemented a home-buying program for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities. She has worked as a Special Project Advocate with the Illinois Life Span Project; met with families/guardians to explain the transition process and listen to their concerns as their family members’ transition into the community from State Operated Developmental Centers.
She currently serves on various Department of Human Services Committees and is an active volunteer in both her community and church. She is the proud mother of an adult daughter (Tamekia), who lives in the community. Tamekia is diagnosed with multiple disabilities, intellectually and developmentally delayed. She is non-verbal, diagnosed with Autism and suffers from a seizure disorder. Ms. Perez’s passion for advocacy is fueled by her desire to help her daughter and others with disabilities reach their full potential. Her philosophy is, “everyone can succeed with the right support!” She can be contacted at shirley@thearcofil.org.
Kim Shontz
Kim Shontz, LCSW, is the Director of the Illinois Crisis Prevention Network (ICPN). ICPN provides support service teams funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities experiencing behavioral and/or medical challenges in their current residential setting across the state. Kim previously served as the deputy director of the Behavioral Health program at Trinity Services, providing residential and psycho-social rehabilitation day program services supporting people dually diagnosed with mental illness and intellectual disabilities.