Continuing & Professional Studies, Palo Alto University

This webinar on Adaptive Functioning Deficits in Clinical and Forensic Settings is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD.

Adaptive functioning can be defined as an individual’s capacity to navigate the typical practical (e.g., daily living skills, organization, time management), social (e.g., social responsibility, problem solving, interpersonal communication), and conceptual (e.g., reasoning, judgement, self-direction) demands of everyday life at a normative level. Deficits in adaptive functioning can make it very difficult for an individual to successfully fulfill personal responsibilities and cope with challenges as they arise. In particular, adaptive functioning deficits can present a number of problems in clinical, forensic, and legal settings from the point of arrest and trial to incarceration and community supervision (i.e., probation and parole). For instance, suspects and defendants with adaptive functioning deficits may struggle (a) in comprehending their legal rights and (b) when questioned in police interviews and trial settings. Within mental health treatment settings, adaptive functioning deficits may lead to poor treatment outcomes when such issues have not been properly identified, managed, and supported. In light of these issues, there is a strong need for advanced training on adaptive functioning deficits among clinical, forensic, and legal professionals. This webinar is designed to increase awareness of adaptive functioning deficits among professionals working in clinical, forensic and legal settings.