Developmental Services Worker DSW

Holland Code: S (Social)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see website DSW1 or DSW4 or DSW5J for details. Applicants to the fast track program must have a college diploma or a bachelor’s degree.

Arts & Literacy Students will be required to write reports, essays, term assignments, teaching plans, and portfolios. Students will be required to independently complete assigned readings from textbooks, and read and interpret case studies

Math & Science A background in Math, Biology, and Chemistry is recommended (you will be studying pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, health and disease)

Technology Basic computer skills required (Microsoft Office, Internet, checking student web portal daily). Use of specialized augmentative communication software taught in second level.

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• Respect for diversity
• Fosters and advocates for the inclusion and acceptance of people with diverse abilities
• Positive, optimistic outlook, outgoing, creative, compassionate
• Ability to self-reflect and multi-task
• Demonstrates initiative, resourcefulness, and is able to identify and solve problems
• High ethical and moral standards
• Ability to engage children, adults, families
• Ability to coach and support people to achieve goals
• Strong motivation to help people with developmental disabilities to achieve their goals
• Works well as a member of a group and/or interprofessional team
• Has strong communication skills and is able to use diverse methods to communicate with and understand people who are verbal or non-verbal
• Possess physical, emotional and mental stamina
• Time management skills

Useful background experience for this program would be

Volunteer or work experience with people with developmental disabilities.

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become a

Developmental Services Worker or Educational Assistant.

Places you may find yourself employed include

Working with people with developmental disabilities in a variety of settings such as in their homes, day programs providing employment and/or leisure support, working on clinical or case coordination teams, or in schools as educational assistants, and camps.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• Mainly indoor work
• Shift work
• Moderate physical demands – lifting, bending, standing, pushing wheelchairs, etc.
• Able to tolerate noise
• Potential for working with people with challenging and/or aggressive behaviour
• Potential for working with people with complex health care needs

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace:

• Motivating, instructing, coaching, supporting people with developmental disabilities
• Advocacy
• Providing physical care to people with disabilities, including personal care, dressing, feeding, bathing
• Completing some transfers to and from wheelchairs
• Supporting people to complete daily living tasks (e.g. appointments, school, banking, taking bus, exercising, going to social events, etc.)
• Deescalating and managing challenging behavior
• Promoting health and wellness in people with disabilities
• Assess individuals' abilities and needs
• Assist people to explore lifestyle, education and career options
• Educate and support individuals to make use of community services related to their recreational, medical, learning, vocational and leisure needs
• Identify programs and employers that provide relevant services and help people access those services
• Assist people in the development of support networks and facilitate community living
• Create and maintain documentation as required

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

• Employment Ontario Information Sheet – Community and Social Service Workers
• Crisis Prevention (CPI) certification
• Ontario Association on Developmental Disabilities
• Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Opportunities for further development

• Graduates are qualified to apply to other Community Services fast track programs: Social Service Worker, Early Childhood Education and Child and Youth Worker
• Graduates are eligible to apply for graduate certificates in Autism and Behavioural Science and Gerontology - Interprofessional Practice
• Articulation agreements with some universities such as Ryerson and the University of Windsor provide advance standing towards a degree

Last Modified: January 11, 2024