Often we have offered excellent classes that we know people were interested in, but for some reason did not have the chance to attend.    We  want to ensure that all individuals have an opportunity to obtain  some of this great information, so we are offer many classes on an “AS REQUESTED” basis. 

Register for an “As Requested” class the same way you would any other class, but omit the date.  Once we have a class of at least 5 students  we will set a date with the instructor and students within 30 days. Please submit a training request for the class and we will contact you when we have enough students to hold a class. 

This is a great opportunity for you to come as a group with co-workers at your program! Get 5 students to sign up with you and you can have a training just for you team!

The following classes are available upon request: 

ADHD

Gives participants an opportunity to learn about typical behaviors and treatments of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. 

 Building Communication Through a Variety of Methods: DSP/MR Mod 9 substitute option.

Class length: 4 hours over 2 weeks    Instructor: Stephanie Gelinas M.S.,CCC-SLP     

This 2-week course is designed to teach the different aspects of communication styles some individuals with Intellectual Disabilities may use.  Students will learn techniques to support the individual to be communicators in their worlds. This class will also focus on PEC’s (Picture Exchange Communication System) and other Visual Strategies to increase and support communication.   

 DSP: Mods 1 through 14

Class Length: varies   Instructors: Joanne Pinsonnault (Saco)           Sara Camolli (Lewiston) 

Although most of our employees have completed their DSP modules within 6 months of hire, we recognize that some may still need a few mods to complete their certification requrments. Additionaly we of course offer trainings to non-Support Solutions people, therefore the 14 DSP modules required for State Certification are offered upon request. Please be specific about what module you need when completing a training request.

Diabetes Training

Class length: 3 hours     Instructor: Don Johnson, RN; Sandra Carlin, BSN, CRRN 

This 3 hour class is designed to teach the student how to help a person with Diabetes monitor their diet, blood sugars, oral hypoglycemic do’s and don’ts and, if necessary,  to prepared the CRMA for appropriate insulin administration. Discussion and hands on demonstration area all a part of the class.  This class is limited to 10 students due to the hands on design of the class.

Down Syndrome

Class length: 2 hours (One night only)   Instructor: Stephanie Gelinas M.S.,CCC-SLP 

This one-week course is designed to outline some basic  facts about Down Syndrome and to discuss  strategies around improving communication skills.  Stephanie will share personal experiences centered around life lessons she has learned growing up alongside a sister with Down Syndrome.  

Intro to Sensory Integration

Class Length: 3 hours Instructor: Rachel Dyer 

This class is an introductory class to Occupational Therapy. It will discuss sensory processing and it’s application to providing quality support. 

Medications That Affect the Mind (Lewiston)

Class length: 3 hours        Instructor: Don Johnson, RN 

This class is a three hour overview of usage, dosage and the side effects of medications that alter the mind, mood, or behaviors of individuals.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Class Length 3

Take a look at the diagnosis of Oppositional Defiance Disorder.  It’s origins, the associated behaviors, and the treatments currently in use. PEC’s Training

Class length: 3 hours (One night only)            Instructor: Stephanie Gelinas M.S.,CCC-SLP 

“The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a type of augmentative alternative communication (AAC) originally developed for children with autism, at the Delaware Autistic Program. The primary purpose of PECS is to teach individuals with autism to initiate communication. Individuals are taught to initiate communication by handing a picture to a partner in exchange for a desired item.  PECS allows individuals with autism to communicate by using pictures instead of, or in conjunction with, speech. PECS provides a functional outlet of expression for individuals who otherwise have difficulty communicating with others. It can be used, beginning as early as age two, to initiate conversation and to communicate wants or needs to another person and has also successfully been taught to adults with similar communication needs. Lastly, often times as individuals increase their ability to communicate their challenging behavior tends to lessen. 

Positive Approaches: The Importance of Belonging ~ Based on the work of David Pitonyak

Class Length: 6 hours            Instructor: Sara Camolli & Joanne Pinsonnault

Positive Approaches Institute training challenges us to look at how loneliness & isolation may be at the root of challenging behaviors.  This class also discusses the importance of the relationship in our own lives to be better grounded to support individuals.

Seizure Awareness and Support

Class length: 3 hours     Instructors: Don Johnson, RN (Lewiston) Sandra Carlin, RN (Saco)

This class provides participants an overview of seizures.  The causes and treatments of seizures will be discussed, as well as how to assist a person through the difficulties of a seizure.  

Sign Language Level I

Class length: 12 hours  Instructor: Stephanie Gelinas M.S.,CCC-SLP 

This 6-week course is designed as an introductory course to basic sign language. It is not an ASL course nor is it a Signed English course, but rather a combination of signs/gestured language, which can be used with consumers of Support Solutions. During the 6-week class, participants are taught finger-spelling, basic vocabulary and some many functional phrases. Class members learn how to sign with a song during the last week. 

Sign Language Level II

Class length 8 hours over 4 weeks     Instructor: Stephanie Gelinas M.S.,CCC-SLP 

This is the next phase after completion of Sign Language Level 1. During this 4-week class, participants are taught how to use the skills they mastered during Level I at a conversational level. Focus is on generalization of sign language to everyday work situations. 

Traumatic Brain Injury

Class Length: 2.5 hours

This workshop will give participants a better understanding of what  occurs when someone experiences a brain injury.  

Take a look at the diagnosis of Oppositional Defiance Disorder.  It’s origins, the associated behaviors, and the treatments currently in use.
This class is scheduled upon request.  Please contact the Professional Development Coordinator for more information.

Class Length: 2.5 hours     Instructor: Dr. Richard Guare

Take a look at the diagnosis of Oppositional Defiance Disorder.  It’s origins, the associated behaviors, and the treatments currently in use.
This class is scheduled upon request.  Please contact the Professional Development Coordinator for more information.

Scheduled in Saco only. Offered “As Requested” in Lewiston. Please contact the Professional Development Coordinator for more informatoin: 207-795-0672, ext 2111.

Class length: 2 hours             

Instructor: Sandra Carlin, BSN, CRRN This class will provide education and training regarding anaphylaxis, treatment, and response and will include: Physician orders, anaphylaxis basics, signs and symptoms of severe allergic response, use of oral antihistamines, and use of an EpiPen® and Twinject™. All CRMA staff providing support services for an individual with known anaphylactic allergies are required to take this class.  However, any CRMA may attend.

 Saco:       Times: 8:30am-10:00am

October 21, 2009

December 21, 2009 

There is a $35 charge for any outside person to attend these classes 

Safety (MOD 14)  & CPR/FA

 Instructors: Joanne Pinsonnault (Saco)   Sara Camolli (Lewiston)

Alternate CPR/FA instructor: Don Johnson, RN 

This two part class focuses on good safety practices, basic first aid and CPR for the DSP as “first-responders”. The morning will utilize the American Heart Association “Heartsaver” curriculum. The afternoon cover Risks, Choices and Common Sense, Safety at Home, Fire Safety and Safety for all Occasions. This class is required for any person needing to obtain or renew a CPR certification which is required in all homes.  

The entire class is taught from 9:00am - 4:30pm .

(CPR: 9am-12:30pm and Safety 1:30pm-4:30pm)

and is offered in the following locations:

Lewiston Office:                                 Saco Office:

September 24, 2010                                    September 9, 2010

October 22, 2010                                    October 8, 2010

November 23, 2010                                     November 4, 2010

December 17, 2010                                       December 6, 2010

 There is a $35 fee for any outside  person to attend this  class.  

  Instructors: Joanne Pinsonnault (Saco)    Sara Camolli (Lewiston) 

This training day is designed  to introduce new employees to working at Support Solutions and to the field of developmental disabilities. It is  designed to provide the employee an overview of what it is to be a DSP.  It will cover topics such as but not limited to:

Contemporary Best    Practices, Applying Ethics in Every Day Work, Services for People with Developmental Disabilities, Introduction to Documentation, Rights and Reporting, Mandatory Reporting, the Role of the DSP & DSP Code of Ethics.  

This class is taught from 9:00am - 4:30pm in the following locations:

 Lewiston Office:                                        Saco Office:

September 21, 2010                                      September 3, 2010

October 19, 2010                                          October 7, 2010

November 16, 2010                                       November 2, 2010

December 16, 2010                                       December 3, 2010