Developmental Services Worker

*Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and Convention refugees.
If you believe that having a positive and direct impact on the lives of people with developmental disabilities is a career worth pursuing, then the Developmental Services Worker (DSW) program is designed for you.
Students will become highly skilled and reflective practitioners while supporting people of all ages to live as independently as possible, while promoting inclusive communities. Your courses will be dynamic with a focus on mental and physical health, interpersonal skills, teaching and positive behaviour supports. You'll learn how to collaborate and build relationships with family members, and to work with the diverse network of professionals who support people with developmental disabilities.
With nearly 700 hours of field experience with community agencies and school partners, you’ll gain the first-hand experience and confidence necessary for success as a developmental support worker.
You'll also have the opportunity to transfer credits for further education at universities such as Ryerson, Windsor, Calgary and Western.
Fanshawe DSW program graduates are in high demand. The majority of grads - if not all - find fulfilling employment within 6 months as direct support professionals, case managers/service coordinators or as educational assistants at a school board.
The Developmental Services Worker two-year diploma program prepares its graduates to be specialists in supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities. Inherent to the role of a DSW is the ability to collaborate and build relationships with people with developmental disabilities and their families and to work with colleagues and members of inter-professional teams to facilitate a seamless network of support for people.
Courses focus on disabilities, person-directed supports, inclusion and community resources, dual diagnosis, interpersonal skills, counselling, health, pharmacology, development, teaching and intervention strategies.
Field placements in community agencies and/or schools are part of the curriculum. Students on field placement are required to work evening shifts and cover any costs associated with preparation for fieldwork.
Graduates from this program wanting to transfer to another Community Studies program at Fanshawe College, may qualify for some internal credits that have already been achieved.
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Development Services Worker program will be employed within community-based agencies and board of education to support persons with developmental disabilities by promoting life skills, education, employment and leisure support. Graduates are also trained in counselling, advocacy, health and pharmacology.
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Development Services Worker program:
Developmental Service Worker
Provide a high quality of service and support to people with developmental disabilities by striving to promote and facilitate community inclusion, meaningful participation and full citizenship.
Service Navigator
Work with individuals, their families and community agencies to address the needs of adults living with a developmental disability and/or seeking developmental services to address a diagnosis.
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to
Karen Klee
Test | Score |
---|---|
TOEFL iBT | 79 |
IELTS Academic | Overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands |
CAEL | Overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands. score of 80 in listening |
PTE Academic | 53 |
Cambridge English | Overall score of 169 with no language skill less than 162 |
ESL4/GAP5 | Minimum grade of 80% in Level 8, 75% in Level 9, or 70% in Level 10 |
Duolingo | Overall score of 105, with no score lower than 95 |
Note:
The following items are applicable to the program and are time sensitive. Please refer to www.fanshawec.ca/preplacement for important information about preparing for placement by the due date.
For all programs requiring the submission of pre-placement forms, please submit all supplemental forms (with the exception of transcripts) by email to regforms@fanshawec.ca.
The deadline for submission of these forms for the DSW1 program is August 1 for first year Fall term students and December 1 for first year Winter term students.
Level 1 | ||||
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
BSCI-1211 | Developmental Disabilities 2 | 3 | ||
This course describes the etiology and characteristics of various developmental disabilities and syndromes including the implications for support. Students will learn about causes of common disabilities and methods of prenatal assessment and screening. | ||||
BSCI-1010 | Developmental Psychology | 3 | ||
This course examines the field of Developmental Psychology in the context of physical, cognitive, language, social & personality development throughout the human lifespan. The major theoretical models and research related to human development will be presented. Comparisons will be made between typical and atypical development throughout the lifespan. Application of theory and knowledge to persons with developmental disabilities will illustrate the various forms of support that Developmental Services Workers can provide in order to promote development throughout the lifespan. | ||||
WRIT-1094 | Reason & Writing 1 for Community Studies | 3 | ||
This course will introduce Community Studies students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
BSCI-1207 | Developmental Disabilities 1 | 3 | ||
This course provides a working knowledge of service systems for people with Developmental Disabilities in Ontario including history and its impact on current services. This course also examines marginalization and its impact on the provision of support. | ||||
PHIL-1016 | Philosophy of Support | 2 | ||
This course assists students in developing a personal philosophy of support by examining their personal and professional values within the context of labelling theory, advocacy, empowerment, stereotypes, diversity, inclusion and boundaries. | ||||
HLTH-1197 | Health & Wellness 1 | 3 | ||
This course introduces the student to the promotion of the health and well-being of people with a developmental disability through the study of healthy body systems and basic health promotion skills. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the DSW as a member of an inter-professional health care team. | ||||
DEVL-1055 | Professionalism 1 | 2 | ||
This course introduces Developmental Services Worker students to competencies and skills essential to understanding their role in their professional practice. The student will be able to describe the professional values and ethics of the Developmental Services Worker profession and how their own values and ethics align with the profession. Students will formulate their own personal and professional goals for on-going growth of their skills and competence. | ||||
BSCI-1274 | Teaching & Learning in Dev Services 1 | 2 | ||
This course introduces DSW students to learning and teaching theories and principles as a means of supporting people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and other diverse learning needs. Students will develop an understanding of biopsychosocial and environmental factors that impact learning, and begin to apply their knowledge using person-centered, positive teaching techniques. |
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.