CANADIAN

H AND

Canadian Health
& Wellbeing in
Developmental

CANADIAN Disabilities
Feb. 8-9, 2023 | Digital Conference

H AND
 CANA
HEALTH
Hello everyone and welcome to the 2nd annual Canadian Health
and Wellbeing in Developmental Disabilities Conference! Thank
you for giving your time to participate in this interprofessional

WELLBEIN
conference where health care providers and community partners can
connect to share educational and informative updates and practical,
innovative, promising and effective practices that improve the health
and wellbeing of people with developmental disabilities across the
lifespan.

Our program has been developed in consultation with a diverse

DEVELOME
group of perspectives, including self-advocates, family members,
healthcare providers and clinicians, and administrators. Our focus has
been the recognition of the importance of collaborative partnerships,
particularly among health and social services, allied professionals,
education, as well as community partners, plus the importance of
self-determination and advocacy for people with developmental
disabilities. We have strived to achieve equity, diversity, and inclusion

DISABI
through recognition of intersectionality— the inter-connected nature
of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply
to people with developmental disabilities, creating overlapping and
interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

We also want to acknowledge that we are building on a legacy set

by The Health and Wellbeing in Children, Youth and Adults with

CONFER
Developmental Disabilities Conference (Vancouver, British Columbia,
2008-2020; organized by Interprofessional Continuing Education,
Faculty of Dentistry, University of British Columbia) and The Health
and Wellbeing in Developmental Disabilities Conference (Toronto,
Ontario, 2013-2017; organized by the Community Networks of
Specialized Care and Continuing Professional Development at

CANA
Temertry Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto). We are thankful
to everyone involved in laying the foundation that this conference has
been built on.

We hope you find this digital experience engaging and meaningful.

As you learn, we also encourage you to think about specific calls
to action you and your peers can commit to in order to continue to

HEALTH
have a positive impact on the lives of people with developmental
disabilities.

Megan Primeau, Conference Director

on behalf of the Program Committee and Continuing Professional

Development, Temertry Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
 Program Wednesday, February 8, 2023
All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Welcome
1100 Emcee & Program Committee Co-Chair: Robert Smith (he/him)
Conference Director: Megan Primeau (she/her)
Keynote A: Forgotten and Ignored: FASD the Adult Orphan of Disability
CJ Lutke, Emily Hargrove, Katrina Griffin, Maggie May - self-advocates from the International Adult Leader-
1115
ship Collaborative (ALC) FASD Changemakers
Moderated by: Ullanda Niel MD, CCFP (she/her)
1215 Break
1230 Breakout A (5 sessions to choose from)
1. Be Part of the Discussion with Global Nurse Educators as They Discuss the Importance of
Educating Future Nurses to Increase Their Knowledge of Developmental Disabilities
Presented by: Stacey Rees (Lecturer, University of South Wales); Holly Brown (Associate Professor, St.
John School of Nursing); Jennifer Baumbusch (Professor, University of British Columbia); Sinead Foran
(Associate Professor, Dublin City University); Shirley McMillan (Post Doctoral Fellowship, CAMH)

2. Exploration of an Innovated Model of Living Arrangements for Adults with Developmental

Disabilities: The Good Neighbour Approach to Intentional Communities
Presented by: Laura E. Mullins (she/her, Assistant Professor, Brock University)
Additional authors: Amanda Bailey (MA Student, Brock University); Kaley Pepin (MADS Student, Brock
University); Jennifer Bollenbach (MADS Student, Brock University); Cecilia Wu (Research Assistant, Brock
University)

3. Everyday Friends: Addressing the Lack of Authentic Opportunities for Young Adults with
Developmental Disabilities to Socialize in the Community
Presented by: Gill Lefkowitz (Parent Advocate); Ben Clement (Self-Advocate, Patron Services, Young
People’s Theatre, Hockey Hall of Fame)

4. Quality of Life Trajectories of Persons with Profound Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Following Community Transitions
Presented by: Margherita Cameranesi (Post-Doctoral Fellow, University of Manitoba); Kayla Kostal (MSc
student, University of Manitoba)
Additional authors: Lindsay McCombe (Project Evaluation Coordinator, St. Amant Research Centre);
Maria Baranowski (PhD student, University of Manitoba); Jenna Heschuk (Administrative Assistant, St.
Amant Research Centre); Shahin Shooshtari (Professor, University of Manitoba)

5. Transitions for Children and Youth with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. A Case Based
Discussion on Transitional Care, Barriers, Facilitators and Avenues for Change
Presented by: Megan Henze (Transitions Services Facilitator, Occupational Therapist, Surrey Place
Centre); Graham Gaylord (Family Physician, St. Michaels Hospital, Unity Health Toronto); Shanthiya
Nallathamby (Research Coordinator, St. Michaels Hospital, Unity Health Toronto); Laurie Green (Family
Physician, St. Michaels Hospital, Unity Health Toronto)
Additional Authors: Elizabeth Young (she/her; Developmental Pediatrician, St. Michaels Hospital,
Unity Health Toronto); Karen Weyman (Chief, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Family
Physician, St. Michaels Hospital, Unity Health Toronto); Aamir Khan (Manager of Adult and Medical
Service, Surrey Place Centre)
1330 Poster Viewing & Networking Break
1430 Breakout B (5 sessions to choose from)
1. Adapting the Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) Tool in a Caregiver-Clinician Partnership
Model of Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT)
Presented by: Sabrina Campanella (Research Coordinator, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health);
Francis Routledge (Research Assistant, University of Toronto); Soumya Mishra (Research Analyst,
Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health); Johanna Lake
(Clinician Scientist, Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health);
Avery Chua (Research Student, CAMH); Kenneth Fung (Clinician Scientist, University Health Network;
University of Toronto)
Additional authors: Yona Lunsky (Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)

2. Examining the Determinants of Well-Being and Inequities in Health Care for Black Canadians with
Intellectual/Developmental Disability: Implementing an Intersectional Approach to Practice
Presented by: Kim Daniel (Director Community Partners and Innovation, Surrey Place); Joanne Marcano
(Intake Service Coordinator, Surrey Place); Tricia Deroche (Service Coordinator, Surrey Place); Alicia
Gonan (Transition Services Facilitator, Surrey Place); Pamela Abi (Research Assistant, Surrey Place);
Angie Gonzales (Health Care Facilitator, Surrey Place); Yerusalem Ghebrhiwet (Program Assistant, Surrey
Place)
Additional authors: Harrieth Fraser (Instructor Therapist, Surrey Place)

3. Exercising Heart, Mind, Body, Spirit & Balancing Yin and Yang
Presented by: Robert Smith (he/him, CLO Council Member CLRN Member /SAGN Chair/Treasurer,
Community Living Respite Northumberland/CLO Council); Hudson Yarrow (CLO Council Member,
Community Living Prince Edward); Stella Curtis (CLO Council Member, CL North Bay); Nicole Flynn
(President of Council of CLO, Community Living Ontario); Judy Noonan (CLO Council Member, ODSP
Coalition Ontario, Eliminating Poverty Guelph, Respecting Rights, Arch Disability Law, A.L.L. Accessible
Libraries Guelph); Niko Pupella (Vice/Past President of Council of CLO, Community Living Ontario/
Community Living Durham North); Amber Taylor (CLO Council Member, Community Living Ontario/
Community Living Durham North); Jem Moeller (CLO Council Member, Community Living Ontario)
Additional authors: Badar Paracha (Council and Family Engagement Coordinator, Community Living
Ontario); Kathy Primrose (Support Person, Community Living Ontario)

4. Identification and Management of Dysphagia in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Presented by: Kristine Goldynia (she/her, Clinical Educator, Salus University)
AND
Understanding Medical Complexities of Constipation and Related Bowel Issues in Adults with
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Presented by: Fiona O’ Sullivan (Family Physician, Central West Specialized Developmental Services);
Michelle Caetano (Community Nurse Specialist, Central West Specialized Developmental Services)
Additional authors: Jhanvi Kothary (Health Care Facilitator, Central West Specialized Developmental
Services); Sylvia Fattore (Director of Quality, Performance and Professional Services, Central West
Specialized Developmental Services); Tara Hyatt (Regional Manager, Central West Specialized
Developmental Services)

5. Supporting Neurodiversity-Affirming Practices in Inclusive Education Settings

Presented by: Preetinder K. Narang (District Behaviour Analyst, Surrey School District)
1530 Break
1545 Breakout C (5 sessions to choose from)
1. BC’s Overdose Crisis – Mitigating Risk Through Transitional Housing
Presented by: Jerry Stanger (Director, Strategic Operations, Community Living British Columbia);
Terry Brock (Director, Health Services, Lookout Housing & Health Society); Shamina Kallu (Manager,
Grosvenor House, Lookout Housing & Health Society), Chelsey Grier (Manager, Fraser Regional
Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association); Laura Arevalo (Complex Needs Connections Navigator,
Fraser Health Authority)
Additional authors: Kyla Painter (Acting Executive Director, Fraser Regional Aboriginal Friendship
Centre Association)

2. Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Elope: The Impact on Families and Mitigation
Strategies Utilized
Presented by: Jenna Heschuk (Administrative Assistant, St. Amant Research Centre)
Additional authors: Lindsay McCombe (Project Evaluation Coordinator, St. Amant Research Centre);
Toby Martin (Associate Professor, University of Manitoba); Kerri Walters (Director, St. Amant Research
Centre); Rashi Chhabra (Research Assistant, University of Manitoba)

3. Developmental Disabilities and Ontario Health Teams: Exploring how OHTs Came to Be and Why
Developmental Services Agencies Should Be Engaged
Presented by: Mario Longo (Health Services Lead, Reena); Stefanie Richards (Manager, Western York
Region Ontario Health Team, Mackenzie Health)

4. Grief, Loss and Disability … Untapped

Presented by: Carrie l. Batt (Direct Support Worker/Grief Educator, Seolcare)
AND
Tools for the IDD Palliative Care Journey: An Update on the Specialized Intellectual/
Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Palliative Care Toolkit for Ontario
Presented by: Tracey Human (Director, Palliative Care, Pain & Symptom Management Consultation
(PPSMC) Toronto Program); Bob Parke (Bioethicist Consultant, No affiliation); Janet Elder (Palliative
Pain & Symptom Management Consultant, Consultant, Palliative Care, Pain & Symptom Management
Consultation (PPSMC) South-Western Ontario); Teresa Waldner (Manager, Coordinated Supports,
Community Living North Halton); Frances Moore (Manager, Transition Services, Community Living
Toronto); Angie Gonzales (Health Care Facilitator, Surrey Place)

5. Way 2 Go H2O!: Understanding the Importance of Hydration for People with Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities
Presented by: Jhanvi Kothary (Health Care Facilitator, Central West Specialized Developmental
Services); Michelle Caetano (Community Nurse Specialist, Central West Specialized Developmental
Services); Candace McCallum (Speech – Language Pathologist, Central West Specialized
Developmental Services)
Additional authors: Sylvia Fattore (Director of Quality, Performance and Professional Services, Central
West Specialized Developmental Services); Tara Hyatt (Regional Manager, Central West Specialized
Developmental Services); Fiona O’ Sullivan (Family Physician, Central West Specialized Developmental
Services)
Closing Remarks
1645 Emcee & Program Committee Co-Chair: Robert Smith (he/him)
Conference Director: Megan Primeau (she/her)
 Program Thursday, February 9, 2023
All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Welcome
1100 Emcee & Program Committee Co-Chair: Robert Smith (he/him)
Conference Director: Megan Primeau (she/her)
Keynote B: Panel: End-of-Life Planning – Conversations about Death and Dying
Angie Gonzales RN MN (she/her, Health Care Facilitator and Nurse Professional Practice Lead, Surrey Place)
Jan Temple-Jones BA MDiv (Manager, Spiritual Care Department; Ethics Committee Co-Chair; CASC/ACSS
1115
Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner; Grey Bruce Health Services)
John Guido (he/him, Accessibility and Inclusion Coordinator, L’Arche Canada)
Moderated by: Megan Primeau MSc (she/her, Conference Director, University of Toronto)
1215 Break
1230 Breakout D (5 sessions to choose from)
1. Agency Relationship and Sexuality Policies and Procedures: Why and How?
Presented by: Margaret Newbury Jones (she/her, Counsellor/Sexuality Educator, SHADE Consulting and
Counselling)

2. Fostering and Developing Belonging for Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental
Disabilities Through Sport: Lessons from an Inclusive Research Study
Presented by: Laura St John (she/her, Post Doctoral Fellow, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health);
Francis Routledge (Research Assistant, University of Toronto); Helen Zheng (Research Assistant,
University of Toronto); Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos (Associate Professor, University of Toronto)
Additional authors: Rebecca Renwick (Professor, University of Toronto); Jennifer Findlay (Community
Partner, Special Olympics Ontario); Callum Denault (Project Consultant, University of Toronto); Victoria
McDonald (Project Consultant, University of Toronto); Ben Caplan (Project Consultant, University of
Toronto); James Noronha (Community Partner, Special Olympics Ontario)

3. Health Outcomes of Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities After Moving to the
Community in Manitoba: A Comparison of Pre, Post, and 1 Year Follow-Up
Presented by: Kayla Kostal (MSc student, University of Manitoba); Maria Baranowski (PhD student,
University of Manitoba)
Additional authors: Shahin Shooshtari (Professor, University of Manitoba); Margherita Cameranesi (Post-
doctoral fellow, University of Manitoba); Lindsay McCombe (Project Evaluation Coordinator, St. Amant
Research Centre); Jenna Heschuk (Administrative Assistant, St. Amant Research Centre)

4. Overcoming Systematic Burnout & Compassion Fatigue Within Organizations Serving

Developmental Disabilities
Presented by: Bonita Eby (she/her; Burnout Prevention Strategist and CEO, Breakthrough Personal &
Professional Development Inc.)
AND
Responding to a Mental Health Crisis: “Cultivating Community Wellness” in the Ontario
Developmental Services Sector
Presented by: Nicole Bobbette (Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s
University); Holly Duff (Cultivating Community Wellness Steering Committee Coordinator, Provincial
Network); Aimee Kim (Job Developer and Supported Independent Living, Community Living Kincardine
and District)
Additional authors: Yona Lunsky (Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health); Michelle
Brooks (Co-Chair Cultivating Community Wellness & Executive Director, Participation House); Jeanny
Scantlebury (Co-Chair Cultivating Community Wellness & VP Adult Services, Surrey Place)
 5. The Dalglish Family 22q Clinic: 10 Years of Integrated, Multidisciplinary Care for Adults with a
Complex Developmental and Multi-System Genetic Condition
Presented by: Lisa Palmer (she/her, Social Worker, University Health Network); Samantha D’Arcy
(Dietitian, University Health Network)
Additional authors: Anne Bassett (Psychiatrist, University Health Network, Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health); Maria Corral (Psychiatrist, University Health Network)
1330 Poster Viewing & Networking Break
1430 Breakout E (5 sessions to choose from)
1. Caregivers and Self-Advocates as Educators in a Canada-wide Virtual Health Education Program
Presented by: Gill Lefkowitz (Parent Advocate); Farrah Sattaur (Patient Advisor, CAMH Azrieli Adult
Neurodevelopmental Centre); Marissa Blake (Self Advocate, CAMH Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental
Centre); Amy Baskin (Family Advisor, CAMH Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre); Lianne
Goldsmith (Family Course Advisor and Facilitator, CAMH Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre);
Adeen Fogle (Family Advisor, CAMH Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre); Heidi Mallett (Self
Advocate, CAMH Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre); Victor Pereira (Self Advocate, CAMH
Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre); Yona Lunsky (Senior Scientist, Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health); Anupam Thakur (Psychiatrist, CAMH Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre)
Additional authors: Elliette Stanley (Family Advisor, CAMH Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre);
Johanna Lake (Clinician Scientist, Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health); Laura St John (she/her, Post Doctoral Fellow, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health);
Nathan Dawthorne (Family Advisor, CAMH Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre); Yani Hamdani
(Assistant Professor, University of Toronto); Yousef Safar (Patient Engagement Coordinator in Research,
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)

2. Coping with Health Conditions: A Virtual Therapeutic Group for Individuals with Intellectual &
Developmental Disabilities.
Presented by: Christine Nelson (she/her, Mental Health Nurse, Bethesda); Sarah Philbrick-Djerfi (she/her,
Social Worker, Bethesda); Jacqueline Colosimo (she/her, Health Care Facilitator, Bethesda)

3. Medical Stabilization in Non-traditional Spaces: Integrated Cross-sector Responses to Adapt

Developmental Services Home Setting and Deliver Accessible, Innovative and Inclusive
Rehabilitative Care
Presented by: Trevor Lumb (Chief Operating Officer, Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for
the Deaf); Lee Simpson (Consumer Support Specialist, Canadian Helen Keller Centre); Jennifer Altosaar
(Manager Community Network of Specialized Care, Surrey Place); Andriy Oliyar (Care Coordinator,
Home and Community Care Support Services Toronto Central); Angie Gonzales (Health Care Facilitator,
Surrey Place)
Additional authors: Tracey Human (Director, Palliative Care, Pain & Symptom Management Consultation
(PPSMC) Toronto Program)

4. The Importance of Creativity in Wellbeing

Presented by: Amanda Gee (Client Support and Education Specialist, Dartmouth Adult Services Centre
(DASC))

5. The Use of Health Care Services in British Columbia by Youth with Intellectual/Developmental
Disabilities Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Services
Presented by: Sandra Marquis (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, University of British Columbia); Jennifer
Baumbusch (Professor, University of British Columbia)
1530 Break
 Keynote C: Panel: Panel: Meaningful Inclusion & Neurodiversity
Arden Duncan Bonokoski MSc (she/her, Executive Director, STEPS Forward Inclusive Post-secondary Educa-
tion Society)
1545 Ali Parsa PhD (Founder and CEO of Babylon Health)
Daniel Share-Strom RSW (he/him, Creative Consultant: Autism, TV Writer, Social Worker, Author, Individual
Therapist & Chilling Group Co-Facilitator, Dori Zener and Associates)
Moderated by: Muhammad Irfan Jiwa MD (he/him, Family Medicine Resident, McMaster University)
Closing Remarks
1645 Emcee & Program Committee Co-Chair: Robert Smith (he/him)
Conference Director: Megan Primeau (she/her)
 Thank you to our supporters

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