HCPBS Network: Centering Choice in Critical Care - Strategies For Promoting Self-Advocacy and Person-Centered Care during Critical Illness

Hosted by Home and Community Positive Behavior Support (HCPBS) Network

Speakers: Maurice Bellstewart and Bettie Bell

Self-advocacy and person-centered support are foundational strategies to improve quality of life in daily routines. At the onset and during treatment of a critical illness, it is particularly imperative to ensure that medical support teams provide opportunities for choice and self-advocacy during treatment. During diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of critical illness, effective medical care should prioritize person-centered support strategies and planning to enhance autonomy.

In October of 2024, Maurice, an autistic man with intellectual disabilities, was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer with rare autoimmune response complications. He developed innovative strategies to communicate his preferences and needs. During this webinar, Maurice and his mother will share his self-advocacy story and provide insight on how his medical support team collaborated to provide centered support. Actionable health care support strategies and customizable visual supports and templates will be provided to webinar participants to encourage autonomy and choice in healthcare decisions.

BCBA CEU CREDITS AVAILABLE!

The Home and Community Network of the Association of Positive Behavior Support (HCPBS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding and enhancing the application of PBS principles across home and community settings, contexts, and the lifespan for people with behavioral challenges (including intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health diagnoses and seniors who require memory care and other related services) and the systems that support them.