Developmental Disabilities and Dual Diagnosis

This course provides an overview of developmental disabilities and their potential impact on the behaviour of individuals who are identified as having a developmental disability. Topics will include the definition of developmental disability, causes of developmental disabilities and the characteristics of specific disabilities. The history of developmental disabilities, current services, service trends and issues will be reviewed. Particular emphasis will be placed on factors that affect behaviour such as health problems, limited understanding, skill deficits, communication limitations and lack of control. A module on dual diagnosis covers symptom presentation of mental illnesses in people with developmental disabilities and the biopsychosocial model of mental illness. Participants will be encouraged to consider the wide range of characteristics associated with developmental disabilities that should be incorporated into a functional behavioural assessment.