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The purpose of the Education and Behavioral Supports (EBS) division is to ensure that Baddour Center staff members have the skills and tools to meet the mission of providing model services in the areas of education, behavior support, and psychological services.  This is accomplished through the following: 

Education for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

The EBS Division is home to the SAIL (Skills for Achieving Independent Living) Program, which provides both classroom instruction and training in natural settings.  

  • SAIL is headed by an experienced special education teacher; the classrooms are located within the Buckman Enrichment Activity Center.
  • The Buckman Center contains a partial kitchen, which is used to practice functional living skills, formal and informal classroom spaces, and a sensory friendly Snoezelen room.
  • SAIL combines hands-on learning with the latest technology, including iPads and a state-of-the-art Promethean board. 
  • Classes are held Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 
  • Classes are based on assessment of each individual’s existing skills.  
  • The skills we teach include functional academics (i.e., reading, writing, money skills, basic math, etc.), social skills, self-care, home-making, cooking, computer skills, work skills, etc.
  • In the afternoons, SAIL staff members accompany residents into their homes and community to ensure skills learned in the classroom carry over into their lives.  They also provide teaching tools to Direct Support Professionals, who reinforce on a daily basis skills learned in the classroom.  
  • The program also lends support to residents who are already employed but wish to continue working on academics.      

HOW TO FOSTER INDEPENDENCE IN SPECIAL NEEDS ADULTS

Behavior Support for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

The focus of behavior support is two-fold.  First, through the process of functional assessment, we seek to determine the purpose of any behaviors that impede the person’s ability to communicate, develop meaningful relationships, and/or live as independently as he or she desires.  Second, we seek to identify skills the person needs to develop in order to eliminate his or her need to display such behaviors.

  • From these assessments, EBS staff members generate behavior plans grounded in the philosophy of Positive Behavior Support.
  • Plans are implemented in therapy sessions and integrated into the settings in which the behaviors occur.

Psychological Services for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

The EBS Division provides psychological and mental health support using interns from the University of Mississippi working on their doctorates who are supervised by a Licensed Professional Counselor off-campus and Licensed, Board Certified Behavior Analyst while on campus. The services provided include:

  • Individual therapy
  • Self-advocacy
  • Healthy Choices
  • Relationship Skills
  • Social Skills
  • Self-calming skills

Additionally, residents who take psychotropic medication are followed closely by an interdisciplinary team that includes case managers, nurses, and a behavior analyst. Residents meet on a regular basis with a Nurse Practitioner who is supervised by a psychiatrist with many years of experience treating individuals with developmental disabilities. Family participation is welcome and encouraged.     

Professional Development

The EBS Division ensures all Baddour Center staff members receive quarterly trainings on issues relevant to their daily work with residents.  Training is also developed for specific groups who wish to develop particular skills.  Thanks to grant funding, the Division is also able to host the annual Dr. Phil George Workshop Series.  The workshops are led by experts in the field of developmental disabilities from around the country.  When possible, Baddour Center invites professionals from other regional agencies to reap the benefits of these trainings.    

Finally, we welcome students from a variety of disciplines to consider a practicum or internship placement at Baddour Center.  Whether students need contact hours for an undergraduate course or a year-long placement to complete graduate studies, we strive to meet the educational support needs of colleges and universities in our region. The field of developmental disabilities is growing rapidly, and it is important that medical and social services professionals receive training in order to provide quality services to this population.  

Internships

The Baddour Center is host to many college students who are looking for experience in the fields of psychology, social work, music therapy, and related majors that work with the population that we serve.

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Resources

The ID/DD online community offers information that might be useful in your support of and advocacy for an individual with intellectual disabilities.

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