Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Course overview

Adverse childhood experiences can elicit or exacerbate a wide array of repercussions across an individual's lifespan. For instance, the consequences of ACEs can seriously harm a child's cognitive, behavioral, emotional, social, learning, and physical health capabilities. Designed for professionals, this 2-hour, view-on-demand, recorded webinar provides attendees with a working understanding of the definitions, causes, and consequences of ACEs. Implications for screening, intervention, and prevention are highlighted. This includes the identification of practical tips, strategies, and solutions that can be utilized with children and adolescents impacted by ACEs. Attendees examine the impact of prenatal trauma on overall child development during a special subsection of the training. Other topics covered include complex trauma, toxic stress, attachment issues, executive function impairments, sleep disturbances, self-regulation problems, theory of mind (ToM) limitations, language development issues, mental illness, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, and resilience and trauma-informed care practices. Empirically-based research findings and case study examples are emphasized throughout this training. At the end of this course, you will be able to (1) define adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), complex trauma, and toxic stress, (2) identify risk factors, warning signs, and red flag indicators of prenatal and early life trauma exposure, (3) delineate the role of co-occurring psychiatric, substance use, medical, and cognitive disorders among persons impacted by ACEs, (4) recognize how exposure to early life traumatic experiences contributes to executive function limitations, attachment disruptions, sleep disturbances, Theory of Mind (ToM) deficits, language problems, and HPA Axis dysregulation, and (5) describe appropriate screening and intervention options for persons impacted by ACEs. This course is targeted to introductory- to advanced-level, OTs, COTAs, and other pediatric professionals. The course instructor, Jerrod Brown, PhD, is a professor, trainer, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod has also been employed with Pathways Counseling Center, Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota, since 2003. Pathways provides programs and services benefitting individuals impacted by mental illness and addictions. At Pathways, he has had extensive experience working with clients diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders, serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI), trauma- and stressor-related disorders, substance use and other addictive disorders, and sleep disorders. He also has had considerable experience working with criminal justice-involved populations. Jerrod has also provided consultation services to caregivers, professionals, and organizations on a wide variety of topics including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (TBI), confabulation, suggestibility, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. This distance-learning independent format is offered at 0.2 CEUs, Intermediate Level, OT Delivery Service. AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures. For more information on our live courses, visit our website: https://www.sensationalbrain.com/product-cagtegory/ceu/on-demand-webinars. To stay abreast of our latest live and view-on-demand course offerings, sales, and informational articles, consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter: https://goo.gl/uZb6c1. Please email celeste@sensationalbrain.com with any questions.