Trauma-Informed Support
NADSP ACCREDITED
ONLINE COURSE
Trauma-Informed Support
with Dr. Karyn Harvey
Course Description:
This five-module, self-paced course gives frontline supporters a clear, practical understanding of how trauma affects people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and how to respond in ways that promote safety, healing, and positive identity.
Featuring expert instruction and storytelling from Dr. Karyn Harvey, Trauma-Informed Support explains how trauma shapes the brain, drives behavior, and can lead to PTSD in people with IDD. Learners will explore the unique sources of trauma in this population, recognize common trauma responses, and apply proven strategies drawn from positive psychology, grief counseling, and relationship-based support. Through engaging videos, scenarios, and interactive activities, supporters gain the tools they need to reduce incidents, strengthen relationships, and improve quality of life for the people they support.
Course Duration: 3 Hours
What You’ll Learn
By completing this course, learners will be able to:
- Identify components of effective communication and common barriers experienced by people with IDD.
- Analyze behavioral cues and environmental factors to determine what a person may be communicating.
- Apply person-centered communication strategies in real-life scenarios.
- Evaluate personal communication habits and biases and justify adjustments.
- Demonstrate strategies that build trust, support autonomy, and reduce escalation.
Who Should Take This Course
This training is designed for professionals at the frontline of support, including:
- Support Coordinators
- Intensive Support Coordinators
- Planning List Administrators
- State Support Coordinators
- Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)
How This Course Works
This course can be hosted within an existing SCORM-compliant learning management system (LMS) or accessed through IntellectAbility’s electronic Learning Platform (eLP). Learners progress at their own pace, with course completion tracked and certificates generated upon successful completion.
Request More Information
Contact us today for a free preview and custom price quote to license for your entire agency.
Synopsis by Module
Module 1: Unique Sources of Trauma in the Lives of People with I/DD
- Sexual abuse
- Physical abuse
- Bullying
- Institutionalization
- Neglect
- Effects of neglect and in utero substance exposure
Module 2: Trauma-Based Responses and Their Biological Basis
- Overview of the brain’s structure: amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex
- How trauma disrupts normal brain functioning
- The role of the stress response system (fight, flight, freeze)
Module 3: Symptoms and Manifestations of PTSD in People with IDD
- Biological impact of Trauma
- Symptoms of PTSD as they often manifest in people with IDD
- Impact of sexual abuse
Module 4: Key Ingredients for Healing from Trauma for People with IDD
- The Keys Ingredients to Healing
- Critical periods of development in the lifespan
- Positive Identity Development
Module 5: Positive Practices for DSPs Supporting Individuals with Trauma
- Tools for Positive Identity Development
- Positive Identity and Relationships
- Grief Counseling and Positive Identity Development
- Positive Psychology and the Happiness Worksheet
- Use of Happiness Assessment Tool