Resisting Dangerous Drugs
A research-based drug risk reduction program for people with Developmental Disabilities and their caregivers.
Enroll in CourseYou Will Learn:
About both legal and illegal dangerous drugs.
How to resist dangerous temptations.
How to stay away from harmful people.
How to make healthy friends.
How to find healthy activities to do.
How to handle unhealthy stress.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Most people with developmental disabilities now live in the community – with their families, in group homes, with foster care providers, in supported living situations, or on their own. Living in the community has many positive benefits but also many potential risks. Many people with developmental disabilities do not understand the dangers of legal substances like nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine. They may know very little about illegal drugs. They may also lack important preventative skills like recognizing dangerous situations and people and knowing how to say no and resist harmful temptations. They may participate in a limited range of healthy activities and have a small social support network of friends. Most of the current drug prevention programs are too abstract, fast-paced and text-based for people with developmental disabilities.
The Resisting Dangerous Drugs program is designed for people with developmental disabilities. Video lessons accompanied with easy to read worksheets and audio stress management exercises make this an ideal program for people with limited reading skills. The program is designed to be done together – by you and the person with developmental disabilities. In the program we call the caregiver – parent, direct support staff, advocate, or friend – the LEARNING PARTNER. The person with a disability is called the LEARNER. Together, both LEARNING PARTNER and LEARNER go through each section of the program. There are seven section that you do together. Each section consists of several lessons. Each lesson will have a short video program followed by a worksheet that is done together. At the end of each section, we have a short mindfulness-based stress management exercise for both of you to do. We also have a downloadable MP3 mindfulness audio exercise that can be downloaded for you and the LEARNER to use at other times in the day.
The very first section is for you, the LEARNING PARTNER. In this section we provide background information and instructional strategies (for example role-playing) for you to use with the LEARNER. Your main role as the LEARNING PARTNER is to complete the program activities together including the mindfulness activities, to practice the role-playing situations, and to give the LEARNER feedback.
Your Instructor
- I am the owner of Double S Instructional Systems and have received federal funding for over 20 National Institutes of Health Small Business grant projects. I have developed instructional programs on dangerous drug prevention, nutrition, weight loss and exercise, leisure, future planning, stress reduction, anger management, and abuse prevention for people with developmental disabilities and their support providers. For 12 years I worked first as a teacher and then as an administrator in charge of programs for high school students with developmental disabilities. At that time, I supervised classrooms for students with autism and other developmental disabilities. I ran a foster care home for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities for seven years. I also worked as a consultant for group homes helping staff with adults with disabilities who had a range of anger management problems. I am the coauthor of Managing the Cycle of Meltdowns for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have worked as a therapist for a local counseling center and specialized in helping individuals with a variety of mental health problems. I am a certified DIR "Floortime" Provider and hold an adult education teaching certificate. I currently provide training to individuals with developmental disabilities, parents, care providers, and professionals-- helping them to adopt a healthier lifestyle and also helping them manage their stress by using mindfulness techniques.
There is enthusiastic support for the program
Here is what some people with developmental disabilities say:
“Stay away from drugs.” “ I learned about all drugs.” “Short and simple to follow.” “Sweet, simple and right to the point.”
Here is what some caregivers say about the mindfulness activities:
“It helps me with my stress,”
“The breathing [activities] calm me down.”