Developmental Services Worker

Humber’s Developmental Services Worker (DSW) 2-year diploma program teaches you skills to become a highly skilled professional who will effectively promote the physical, mental and emotional health of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across their lifespan.

Our faculty team consists of developmental services professionals who are active in the field, and our small class sizes allow for individualized attention. Our curriculum is designed with input from developmental services field experts, ensuring courses are current and relevant.

Your studies begin with 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 (practising strategies with the use of simulation), person-centered planning, dual diagnosis, health and wellness, basic pharmacology, supporting people with autism and other complex needs, sign language and augmentative forms of communication, and effective responses to people who have experienced abuse. Finally, you will develop skills in building interpersonal relationships and problem-solving.

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 and through hands-on practice of health-care skills and medication administration. This program includes 600 hours of field experience.

Our program offers a rich diversity of innovative and traditional opportunities to connect with the field. You will complete 600 hours of field experience in the developmental services sector with established community partners over the duration of the program.

Students will engage in the first 200 hours of field experience two days per week, over 14 weeks in Semester 2. In Semester 4, students will engage in 400 hours of field experience, four days per week for 14 weeks. Opportunities are arranged with the help of a dedicated field experience advisor and are typically unpaid. As part of the field experience, students will attend seminar classes and complete coursework.

Important note: for detailed information on preparing for field experiences, work-integrated learning processes and field experience advisors, see our Work-Integrated Learning page.

A career as a developmental services worker will allow you to help people with disabilities live, work and participate in their communities across their lifespan. You will use your skills to support people with intellectual disabilities, autism, physical challenges or other needs. You will learn skills to successfully work collaboratively with families and a wide range of community services and professionals.

You can find work assisting people in a variety of roles including:

• classroom assistant in a daycare centre
• community support worker
• direct support worker
• educational/teaching assistant in a school
• employment supports worker
• family support worker
• residential support worker
• seniors support 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.