Training and Workshops
Clinical Services Bureau (CSB) offers workshops covering a variety of areas of interest to nurses and therapists and are provided around the state.

The Participatory Approach to Assistive Technology
This workshop provides an introduction to the Participatory Approach Philosophy of providing therapy services and Assistive Technology services to persons with developmental disabilities (DD). The Participatory Approach says that no individual is too disabled to benefit from therapy interventions and Assistive Technologies that assist them to actively participate in daily life activities.

The Participatory Approach encourages therapists and teams to use strategies and Assistive Technologies that help an individual engage actively in life as much as possible. This philosophy emphasizes immediate functional participation at whatever level of assistance may be needed at the time. The Participatory Approach philosophy rejects the idea that individuals have to meet certain developmental milestones or develop certain pre-requisite skills before certain therapy and Assistive Technology interventions can be effective. The emphasis is on the therapist's role in assisting individuals to meet their visions and goals in life is emphasized.

About the Workshop Sessions
The Participatory Approach to Assistive Technologies Workshop introduces participants to specific therapy supports and Assistive Technologies that are particularly relevant to the needs of many individuals with developmental disabilities. Sessions include: Seating and Positioning for Function, Electronic Aids to Daily Living, Environmental Modifications, Communication Supports, and Integrating Assistive Technology Supports into the Individual Service Plan (ISP). This workshop is mandated by the Developmental Disability Supports Division for therapists in their first year of service under the NM Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver.

Therapy Provision and New Therapy Service Models Workshop
This workshop is geared toward familiarizing new and current DD Waiver Therapists (and other interested team members) with the newest DD Waiver Standards focusing on the therapy portion. This training covers information on how to apply the standards and related guidelines to provide therapy services. Participants become familiar with the new therapy service models including integrated, clinical and group models.

Other Workshops
Other workshops are presented depending on therapist input and request. Other workshops might include information on the latest methods and technical assistance in Seating and Positioning the Individual with DD, Augmentative Communication Systems and Strategies, Reducing Preventable Aspiration in Persons with DD, Basic Switch Access, Environmental Evaluation and Environmental Access Strategies, Electronic Aides to Daily Living and Supporting Supported Employment.

Important Information About the Workshops
All workshops are submitted for approval for NM Continuing Educational Units (CEU) from the New Mexico Practice Boards on Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology. For more information for scheduled workshop dates see the CSB newsletter, "News You Can Use." For more information about the workshops or to suggest specific workshop titles contact us at AT.Coord@state.nm.us.

More Training and Workshops

The DD Waiver Therapy Standards Workshop
This workshop assists therapists in understanding the requirements of the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division for DD Waiver Therapy practice and documentation. Therapists will learn about expectation for therapy provision and bring away many tools and sample formats for evaluation, practice, therapy intervention plans, therapy reports, therapy support plans, as well as many other tools. Funding information as well as specific therapy resources are introduced. A substantial part of this workshop is devoted to break-out sessions for discipline specific information that is geared toward the specific needs of therapist in the field of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy or Speech-Language Pathologists. This workshop is mandated by the State of New Mexico for therapists in their first year of service provision under the DD Waiver and is highly recommended for all therapists practicing under the DD Waiver. To See other training offered by DDSD click here.

For more information about the Therapy Services Team (click here).
Read more about the Clinical Services Bureau (click here).