This is a RECORDED workshop.

This program has been approved for 1.5 Category A Continuing Education Credits by the National Association of Social Workers, NH Chapter. CE #4155

Social workers encounter survivors of brain injury much more frequently than is typically presumed. Furthermore, many of the behaviors, cognitive and emotional states that may occur as a result of brain injury can be misdiagnosed and there is an unfortunate lack of knowledge among many behavioral health practitioners regarding the sequelae of brain injury. In this workshop we will attempt to discuss this incongruity in two ways: 1) what should practitioners be aware of in assessing whether their clients are survivors of brain injury and what steps may be taken to firmly ascertain whether that is the situation, and 2) what kinds of behaviors, cognitive or emotional situations a practitioner may encounter from brain injury survivors and how might one deal with them.

National studies in some settings, particularly of those who are incarcerated, show that 50 to 90% of prisoners have sustained a brain injury at some point in their life. In the general public, the number is presumed to be 5 to 9%.

Learning objectives

Participants will be able to:

• Discuss the frequency of brain injury and need to be more thorough in assessing patient history for such events.
• Describe some of the most common sequelae of brain injury and the most typical impact that it may have on client functioning.
• Demonstrate when to refer for neuropsych testing.
• Discuss therapeutic strategies that may be effective or not.
• Explain what is available for supports and services in NH.

About the presenter

John W. Richards, MSW, MBA, LICSW John is a lifelong resident of New Hampshire who has worked in human services for over 30 years; most of which have been involved in supporting people with a variety of disabilities. He has a Master's degree in Social Work from Simmons College and a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He has worked with a variety of groups of people ranging from "multi-problemed" families to children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and neurological illnesses. He has worked in community mental health and in roles from clinical social worker to human service management and administration.