Developmental Services Worker: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Designed for professionals committed to empowering individuals with physical, mental, or developmental disabilities, this program equips learners with the applied expertise needed to deliver effective, compassionate support within home and community environments. Graduates emerge prepared to foster independence, enhance quality of life, and contribute meaningfully to inclusive society through evidence-based practices and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Health Care Fundamentals: Core principles of maintaining physical well-being, recognizing health indicators, and responding to medical needs in diverse client populations.
• Basic Nutrition and Wellness: Understanding dietary requirements and nutritional impacts on development, behavior, and overall health for individuals with special needs.
• Pharmacology and Medication Support: Safe handling, administration, and monitoring of prescribed medications within a supportive care context.
• Autism Spectrum Interventions: Specialized strategies for engaging individuals with autism, including sensory regulation, social communication support, and individualized behavior planning.
• Mental Health and Emotional Well-being: Identifying signs of emotional distress, applying trauma-informed approaches, and promoting psychological resilience.
• Psychology and Human Development: Insights into cognitive, emotional, and social growth across the lifespan, with a focus on developmental milestones and atypical trajectories.
• Sociology of Disability: Exploring societal structures, stigma, inclusion, and the impact of cultural and systemic factors on individuals with disabilities.
• Behavioral Analysis and Intervention: Applying principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to assess, modify, and reinforce positive behaviors in real-world settings.
• Communication Strategies: Techniques for effective interaction using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and nonverbal cues.
• Community-Based Support Services: Navigating public and private resources, advocating for client rights, and coordinating services to ensure continuity of care.
• Life Skills and Literacy Development: Teaching practical competencies such as personal hygiene, money management, transportation, and functional reading/writing.