Developmental Service Worker

A Look at Different Developmental Disabilities for Students Taking DSW Courses

March 31, 2017

DSW working with a child

Research allows us to predict development paths for things like healthy brains, skeletons, nervous systems, and other parts of the human body. For the majority of people, development for most systems occurs at around the same time in life.

Developmental disabilities are physical or intellectual impairments that prevent normal development or functioning of a person’s mind or body. Those living with these disabilities can have difficulty managing everyday tasks, and may turn to a developmental service worker for assistance.

Here is a closer look at a few common developmental disabilities and what they mean both for the people living with them and for the service workers who help them.

Graduates of DSW Courses May Work With Clients Who Have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects intellectual development, and can have many different effects. Clients with autism may have difficulty socializing with others, may be sensitive to loud noises, or may exhibit other atypical behaviours. Though many people with autism can enjoy a very high level of autonomy, some with a more severe type of autism could have symptoms that affect their quality of life. They may be prone to self-injury, have difficulty speaking or communicating, and more. A developmental service worker can assist autistic clients with various tasks including helping them develop healthy social skills and feel comfortable in a public setting.

After graduating from a Developmental Service Worker College, there are many environments in which graduates might work to assist individuals with autism. Examples include working to assist students in the classroom, as a respite or support worker, as a counsellor for the family of an individual with autism and more. The program at Medix College will prepare you to succeed in any of these environments, and can help you provide excellent assistance to people with developmental disabilities like autism.

Clients With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Can Benefit From the Assistance of DSWs

Some experts, including those at the Public Health Agency of Canada, recommend no alcohol consumption at all while pregnant. This is because consuming more than a small amount can lead to a baby being born with a disability known as “fetal alcohol syndrome.” Symptoms like intellectual impairment, physical deformities, and difficulty managing mood are commonly associated with FAS.

FAS is incurable, and clients with this condition may seek out assistance at different times in their lives. Useful services DSWs can offer includes aiding clients to develop their social skills, helping them find employment, and offering useful advice when a client is having difficulty resolving an issue on their own.

Effective communication will be a valuable tool for you when working with clients who have FAS or other developmental disabilities, and is something you will develop throughout your DSW course. Through lectures, case studies, scenarios and hands on practicum experience, you will gain insight into how to effectively speak with and listen to clients with all kinds of disabilities, so that you can guide them to greater autonomy and happiness.

Graduates of DSW Courses Can Work With Clients Who Have Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is one of the most common physical developmental disabilities you might see in your career in developmental service work. Damage or malformation in particular areas of the brain can affect a person’s coordination, strength, and stability.

Though cerebral palsy doesn’t normally worsen over time, severe cases can be very limiting. Clients might have difficulty completing everyday physical tasks including maintaining personal hygiene. A DSW worker can help these individuals accomplish these tasks, allowing them to enjoy a higher quality of life.

By completing your DSW program at Medix College, you will receive hands on training with clients at long-term care facilities, allowing you to gain real life knowledge of the kind of work you will perform throughout your career. Translating this training to the workplace will allow you to offer great assistance to clients with physical disabilities, helping you make a difference in your community.

Are you ready to begin your career training in healthcare?

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