Developmental Services Worker Diploma Program

The course presents the core competencies of developmental services workers. 

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.

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.

Individuals will learn about professional documentation and report writing.

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

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. 

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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. 

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.

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).

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.

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

This course is an introduction to computer applications 

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.