Training for Social Workers and Allied Health Practitioners
Digging a Little Deeper
Training for Social Workers & Allied Health Practitioners Supporting Complicated & Beautiful Brains
Digging a Little Deeper is a practical, skills-based training for professionals working directly with individuals and families who are often misunderstood and under-served—particularly when access to formal multidisciplinary assessment is limited or unavailable.
Globally, fewer than 2% of individuals affected by prenatal alcohol exposure receive a diagnosis. In Ontario, it is estimated that only 0.5% of those who should qualify have been assessed. As a result, the vast majority of individuals—approximately 99.5% of the 4% of Ontarians likely impacted—are navigating life without clarity, often misdiagnosed and supported through approaches that don’t fully fit their needs.
This training builds front-line capacity to screen, identify, and complete functional assessments within scope of practice, contributing to greater diagnostic clarity while allowing practitioners to adjust supports immediately—without waiting years for a formal diagnosis.
Participants will be better positioned to:
Identify indicators of Complex Neurodevelopmental Differences (CND), including FASD
Complete meaningful screening and functional assessments
Write clear, helpful reports that translate complexity into actionable understanding
Support families with appropriate referrals, recommendations, and relevant supports
Reduce “wrong doors” by aligning services with functional needs rather than behaviour alone
This training is for practitioners who know that better understanding leads to better outcomes—and who want the skills, language, and confidence to make a difference where it matters most.
VIDEO | An overview of the training program.
Training facilitated by Angela Geddes CYW, BA (Psych), MSW, RSW, YTT, with special guests from people with lived experience.
This 10-hour screening, functional assessment, and support training program is designed to build front-line and system capacity—better positioning participants to accurately identify, support, and refer individuals with complex mental health, learning, and neurodevelopmental needs.
Live sessions are recorded and made available to participants following each session. The virtual option includes prerecorded video lessons. All participants receive downloadable presentations, practical tools, curated resources, and recommended readings to support immediate application in practice.
Register now to strengthen your skills and expand access to clearer, more relevant supports.
100% of participants say they:
have a better understanding of how stigma can be a barrier to accurate diagnosis and helpful supports.
have learned more about the unique and subtle implications of prenatal alcohol exposure and what FASD looks like across the lifespan.
feel more competent and confident in their ability to screen and identify people with complex neurodevelopmental conditions; who may be affected by PAE.
feel they have learned new skills that make sense and can be used on a day to day basis.
know where to go to get access to ongoing FASD training and resources to help with comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment and FASD/CND supports and services.
LIVE TRAINING (VIRTUAL)
Dates: May 5, 12, and 19 (Tuesdays)
Times: 9:00am - 12:00pm EST (3 hours via Zoom)
Follow up Q&A: Tuesday, June 16 (9-10am)
TAKE THE ONLINE PROGRAM
Available online and learn at your own pace.
Training Session Outline
SESSION 1: Introduction
Why we should be concerned?
What social workers and allied health practitioners can do within their scope of work to contribute to comprehensive multi-disciplinary assessments.
Overview of the Canadian Guidelines for FASD DX and the importance of screening and full multi-disciplinary assessment. Discussion around further training options for multi-disciplinary teams.
SESSION 2: Stigma and Mental Health | Not Your Typical Parenting Guide
Assumptions that need to be challenged.
When it may be more than trauma and complex MH/addictions.
A needs-based, strength-based approach.
The importance of relationships: compassion for parents and collaborative approaches.
SESSION 3: Developmental Screens and Histories
Assessment begins with relationships.
Confirming PAE:
Who does this?
How do we do it?
Ethical considerations
Gathering collaterals and circle of care consultations.
Ways to augment existing assessments and developmental screens.
SESSION 4: Individual Assessment Report | Not Your Typical Growing Up & Adulting Guide
What to include.
Who do we share this important information with?
Recommendations that are customized for the individual based on what we have already learned and what we need to explore further.
Exploring ways to make health/mental health care practices more inclusive.
SESSION 5: Now What?
Counselling and therapeutic support through a PAE and Complex Neurodevelopmental lens. Exploring modalities, strategies, and tools that have been helpful.
Parent education and family support.
Referrals and the importance of case management and ‘warm transfers’.
Safety planning.
Support groups.
Online resources.
SESSION 6: Putting this to Action
Case examples and sample reports.
Considerations from those with lived experience.
Q and A from participants.
100% of participants would recommend this training to another Social Worker, allied health practitioner, or other front-line professionals.
Who Should Participate
This program is intended for Social Workers, Allied Health Practitioners, and other front-line professionals offering counselling and support to individuals and families. You do not have to be a Registered Social Worker in order to participate in this training.
Comprehensive social work or therapeutic screening and assessment can be very helpful for those struggling with complex mental health and neurodiversity that could be related to prenatal alcohol exposure. This training is for those working on the front-line, with the goal being to be better positioned to screen, identify, and contribute to multidisciplinary team assessments while immediately leading individuals and families to a pathway of more helpful and relevant support.
LIVE TRAINING (VIRTUAL)
Dates: May 5, 12, and 19 (Tuesdays)
Times: 9:00am - 12:00pm EST (3 hours via Zoom)
Follow up Q&A: Tuesday, June 16 (9-10am)
TAKE THE ONLINE PROGRAM
Available online. Learn at your own pace.
CND/FASD Integrative Assessment and Support Services; opportunities for ongoing learning with Geddes Specialized Support & Integrative Wellness Inc.
An opportunity to join a community of qualified professionals who can competently and confidently offer screening, assessment, and support services to people with complicated mental health and learning presentations that may be linked to PAE or developmental trauma. Working with Angela Geddes’ established and industry recognized practice, we’ll help put more individuals and families on a path to helpful and relevant multi-disciplinary assessment, support and services.