The Ethics & Boundaries of Neurodiversity & Health: What We Make of Brain and Behavioral Differences

Webinar

4 training hours + 1/2 hour break

Presented by: Angela Marx and Peter Leidy

How do we promote health and provide inclusive support with people who all think and act in unique ways?

How does the social climate influence what is considered mental illness and disability?

How do we focus on the things that really matter to people and make sure we are not contributing to the oppression of vulnerable populations?

Take the opportunity to explore these questions by going beyond basic ethical rules and regulations to explore a less discussed aspect of cultural diversity as it relates to brain differences and behavioral traits. Neurodiversity, the biological fact that all human brains are different, is critical to consider when providing inclusive community-based supports that promote the health & wellness of vulnerable populations and communities. This session will uncover new understanding, conversations, and ways to support individuals with brain and behavioral differences and complex needs.

Learning Objectives

• Explore the intersection between mental health, mental illness, behavioral health, challenging behaviors, and disability and their social implications
• Understand neurodiversity and the importance of brain differences in promoting healthy individuals and communities
• Discover how our own perceptions shape how we view and interact with others
• Rethink and reinvest energy in proactive supports for individuals with complex needs

Peter Leidy has been learning from elders and people with disabilities since 1983. After working for Options in Community Living, Inc. for 19 years, Peter now conducts workshops and consults with individuals, families, and teams in areas such as personalized supports, building community relationships, stress reduction, improving workplace communication, advocacy, and supporting and valuing direct support professionals. Peter also writes and sings songs about life inside and outside the human service system. He lives in Madison, WI with his favorite person of the last 37 years, Betsy. www.peterleidy.com

Angela Marx, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist. For the past 15 years, she has been joining with children, adolescents, adults, and families in various community-based long-term support roles including direct support, recruiting direct support professionals, case management, person-centered planning facilitation, inclusion facilitation, behavioral support, crisis response, employment support planning, education and outreach, and policy and program development. Dr. Marx also provides consultation and education to professionals and caregivers. She has clinical experience providing psychotherapy and psychological assessment to individuals of all ages and abilities. Dr. Marx currently has a private practice, Place of Mind LLC, that specializes in assessment and mental health and wellness with neurodivergent individuals to help them discover and define who they are and find, or create, the places where they belong and flourish. www.myplaceofmind.com

This training meets the continuing education requirement of four (4) hours for social workers in the subject area of social work ethics and boundaries as prescribed by the WI Department of Regulation and Licensing.