Developmental Services Worker

Take on a rewarding career as a developmental services worker where you can make a difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities by learning how to effectively support their emotional, mental, physical, and social needs.

You'll first learn about the stages of human development, and the range of community supports available for persons with developmental disabilities. In the following semesters, you will learn intervention techniques, person-centered planning, abnormal psychology/dual diagnosis, basic pharmacology, how to support people with autism, augmentative forms of communication, and prevention of and effective responses to people who have been abused. As a developmental services worker, you will also develop the relationship building and critical thinking skills required to assist people with intellectual disabilities in identifying problems and solutions.

In-class learning will be complemented by extensive hands-on experience gained through five block placements, beginning with a placement one day a week for nine weeks in semester and continuing with placements in semesters three and four. Cambrian College's Developmental Services Worker Program has the largest number of block placements of any Ontario college.