Developmental Services Worker - Accelerated

Humber’s Developmental Services Worker (DSW) – Accelerated diploma program teaches you skills to effectively promote the physical, mental and emotional health of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

You will be taught by developmental services professionals who are active in the field, in classes with comparatively low student to teacher ratios. Our curriculum is designed with input from the developmental services field ensuring courses are current and relevant.

Your studies begin by an introduction to the developmental services sector and an overview of the types of developmental disabilities and the range of available community support services for this population. Next, you will learn about positive behaviour supports and intervention techniques, person-centered planning, dual diagnosis, health and wellness, basic pharmacology, supporting people with autism and other complex needs, augmentative forms of communication, and effective responses to people who have been abused. Finally, you will develop skills in building interpersonal relationships and counselling.

You will also build your expertise in our counselling labs which provide an ideal setting to develop competencies for working with individuals with limited verbal skills.

Our program offers a rich diversity of innovative and traditional work-integrated learning opportunities for you to connect with the field. During your final semester in the summer, you will complete a 400 hour Field Experience with one of our established community partners. Opportunities are arranged with the help of a dedicated field advisor and are typically unpaid. As part of Field Experience, students will attend seminar classes and complete coursework.

A career as a Developmental Services Worker will allow you to help people with disabilities live, work and participate in their communities. You will learn to support people with intellectual disabilities, autism, physical challenges or other needs and can find work in a variety of roles including:

• classroom assistant in a daycare centre
• community support worker
• educational/teaching assistant in a school
• family support worker
• residential case worker
• seniors' case worker

Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities (OADD)

Graduates may apply to become members of the Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities (OADD) and its Developmental Services Special Interest Group (DSSIG).

Additional requirements may apply.

Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.