Enhancing Care for People with Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Disorders

Providing substance use disorder (SUD) treatment for people with developmental disabilities (DD) requires a flexible and individualized approach, yet there is a lack of available guidelines to inform best practices. This webinar will provide insights, practical suggestions, and expert tips for behavioral health professionals who work with people who have SUD and DD. The webinar will review estimates of the number of people with SUD and DD, as well as the most common diagnoses in this population and systems in which they are most likely to be encountered. It will show some of the unique needs and challenges faced by this group and show how providers can address these in the treatment planning and delivery process, including involving family members and caregivers, coordinating with other professionals and agencies, and supporting people with DD as they transition between different services and levels of care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the unique needs and challenges faced by people with co-occurring substance use disorder and developmental disabilities, including common diagnoses and encountered systems.
2. Identify strategies to address the specific needs of people with developmental disabilities in the treatment planning and delivery process.
3. Understand the available resources and tools that can assist in providing individualized, high-quality care for people with substance use disorder and developmental disabilities.