The Positive Adult Development (PAD) curriculum was created to help parents of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities manage stress. PAD incorporates evidence-based interventions from the field of positive psychology and emphasizes ways to temper such emotions as guilt, conflict, worry, and pessimism by identifying and using character strengths and virtues, using strengths in new ways, and by practicing exercises involving gratitude, forgiveness, grace, and optimism.
PAD was originally designed to be delivered over the course of 6 weeks in 1-1.5-hour group sessions each week. This curriculum also can be run back to back in a weekend retreat format if there are time constraints. The groups are best facilitated by peer mentors who are also parents of individuals who have intellectual or developmental disabilities or mental health issues, or by other professionals in the field who have proper educational training in group facilitation. The information, including handouts for tips and techniques, is presented using a PowerPoint presentation and discussion is facilitated by the group leader.
User Qualifications
Mentors who deliver the Parent Stress Intervention Program curriculum should be knowledgeable about adult development and positive psychology. This can be achieved by engaging in web-based lessons, exercises, and readings. Peer mentors also should be trained in group facilitation skills that include instruction on mentorship, emphasizing such lessons as professional boundaries, friendship versus mentorship, confidentiality, how to identify participants in need of professional services, and how to respond to safety concerns. Participants are encouraged to practice specific exercises at home and to share their experiences in doing so at group meetings
Authors
Roxanne Carreon, B.S., Lynnette Henderson, Ph.D., Carol Rabideau, L.C.S.W., Janet Shouse, B.J.
License Agreement
PLEASE CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING AGREEMENT. BY CLICKING ON THE “I ACCEPT” BUTTON AT THE END OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU INDICATE YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND AGREE TO BE BOUND AS SET FORTH HEREIN. YOU REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT YOU HAVE THE REQUISITE AUTHORITY AND LEGAL CAPACITY TO BIND YOUR ORGANIZATION TO THIS AGREEMENT (TO THE EXTENT THAT THE PURCHASES IS ON BEHALF OF YOUR ORGANIZATION).
The Parent Stress Intervention Program™ (PSIP) is a clinical tool that was developed at the Kennedy Center at Vanderbilt University as part of a stress reduction intervention research study for parents who have children with developmental disabilities. The PSIP is intended to be used only in a mental health or institutional setting by qualified personnel (and licensed personnel, where applicable) who are group leaders and mentors teaching stress reduction to parent and caregiver groups. It is not intended to replace mental health services or consultation. The user agrees to use this product in the manner in which it is intended.
By clicking on the “I ACCEPT” button at the end of this Agreement, I agree that I possess the above qualifications deemed necessary to use this curriculum for its intended use.
- Login to post comments