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Developmental Service Worker Diploma Program

You're Only 40 Hours Away From Achieving Success Within a Developmental Service Career

Developmental Service Worker Program

The Developmental Service Worker program provides specialized training to individuals looking for a rewarding career in the social service field. A Developmental Service Worker (DSW) works within the social and community sector to administer and implement various social assistance programs and community services to assist clients and their families with developmental challenges.


Some vital responsibilities in this vocation are to provide person-centered and family-focused support and services that respect and promote self-determination and safety for people with developmental challenges. The DSW is also responsible for providing support through advocacy and collaboration with community agencies to access resources to meet the clients' physical, mental, emotional and social needs.

TBD

COURSE DETAILS

STARTING DATE

September 9, 2024

January 27, 2025

DURATION

48 Weeks

COURSE DELIVERY

Online Course

COURSE TUITION

7055

REGISTRATION FEE

200

Developmental Service Worker

Job Opportunities

As a Developmental Service Worker, you can work in various settings such as:



  • Adult and Youth Group Homes, 
  • Community Shelters
  • Public School Boards
  • Community Support Centers /Crisis Intervention Centers
  • Counselling and Outreach Centers 
  • Residential Facilities 
  • Day Programs
  • Assisted Living Facilities 
  • Child and Youth Services 

Alpha Student Experiences


"All the staff there were wonderful. And today I can say I now I'm a proud Developmental Service Worker, doing the work that I'm most passionate about...It's for real!"


VIEW MORE STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Admission Requirements

  • An Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) / foreign equivalent high school diploma evaluated in Canada / Wonderlic SLE (administered by Alpha Career College)


  • 18 years of age or older on or before the program commences


*Approved as a vocational program under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005

Course Outline

  • DSW 101 - Introduction to the Field of Developmental Services

    The course presents the core competencies of developmental services workers. 

  • DSW 102 - The Nature of Developmental Disabilities

    This course covers the nature of developmental disabilities that enables individuals to understand how to provide services that will meet the daily needs of a person with developmental challenges.


  • DSW 103 - Autism Spectrum Disorders

    This course explores Autism Spectrum Disorders' evidence-based practices and approaches to current trends in research and issues that will help clarify the concepts and application of learning.

  • DSW 104 - Documentation for Health Professional

    Individuals will learn how professional documentation and report writing. 

  • DSW 105 - Introduction to Communication Disorders

    Introduction to anatomy and physiology of speech and hearing, and an overview of the  various disorders that affect communication across the lifespan

  • DSW 106 - Communication Strategies for Inclusive Education

    This course introduces the principles of inclusive education in Canada and examines positive ways of including children of all needs and abilities in the regular classroom. 

  • DSW 107 - Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan

    This course explores the causes and complexities of human development and acquires knowledge of developmental principles 

  • DSW 108 - Working with Families and Persons with Developmental Disabilities

    This course examines the legal and ethical concerns surrounding children with special needs and their families.

  • DSW 109 - Person Directed Supports and Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

    The principles and values of person-directed planning and facilitation when working with persons with developmental disabilities to enable 

  • DSW 110 - Behavioural Support Techniques

    This course focus on observable behaviours and the environmental factors that affect the expression of individuals with special needs. 

  • DSW 111 - Health and Wellness Principles

    This course covers the concepts of health using a holistic approach. working with persons with developmental disabilities


  • DSW 112 - Dual Diagnosis; Mental Health and Persons with Developmental Disabilities

    The disorders in the context of typical development and developmental pathways. Students will learn the continuity between typical and atypical development; risk and resilience; complex models of psychopathology; children in relationships over time; children in larger social contexts; and the holistic nature of development.

  • DSW 113 - Building Community

    The essentials of community development and capacity building with a focus on developing potential and enhancing community living. Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) strategies to strengthen communities and include people at risk for marginalization.

  • DSW 114 - Adult Development and Aging

    In this subject, students will be exposed to a bio-psychosocial framework, covering the specific ages-stages of adult development and aging. Connections between research and application with a focus on "positive aging" and the gains and losses people experience across adulthood.

  • DSW 115 - Essentials of Pharmacology

    In this subject, students will learn the principles of pharmacology, calculations in a simplified step-by-step process, and medication administration principles.


  • DSW 116 - Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems

    This course covers augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) as communication methods used to supplement or replace speech or writing for those with impairments in the production or comprehension of spoken or written language. 

  • DSW 117 - Introduction to Educational Psychology in Canada

    This course focuses on research in educational psychology and how this learning can be applied to solve the everyday problems of teaching. This includes the educational implications and applications of research on child development, cognitive science, learning, motivation, teaching, and assessment.

  • DSW 118 - Individual Education Plan

    This subject covers the specialized requirements when working with students with special needs to develop, implement, and monitor a high-quality Individual Education Plan (IEP).

  • DSW 119 - Professional Development; Competencies and Standards of Practice.

    This subject reviews the Developmental Services Worker Competency Framework and the  Standards of Practice to become thoroughly familiar with the vocational outcomes and performance elements. Students will also explore how to continue to develop their skills as they enter the workforce.

  • DSW 120 - Self-Care Strategies for the Developmental Services Worker

    This topic explores and examines areas of personal stress and maintaining variables to balance between caring for self and others and personal lives.

  • DSW 121 - Technology for Success

    This course is an introduction to computer applications 

  • DSW 122 - Virtual Project (Community and Education Support Focus)

    In this subject, students will be provided with the opportunity to transfer their learning to a virtual case study that will take them throughout the DSW process.

Register Now For The Development Service Worker Program to Begin Your Journey Here at Alpha Career College

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