What is a Direct Support Professional?
A direct support professional (DSP) is someone who is trained to work with individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities.
To enhance the skills the consumer has and foster the development of new ones, the DSP works with the consumer, their parent or guardian and support coordinator.
The main goal of the DSP is to help the consumer learn to do things for themselves and achieve as much independence in the community as possible.
A DSP is very different in their approach to working with consumers, developing their confidence and skills. For example, a DSP will work with the person to enable them to pick out their own clothes for the day and get dressed rather than choosing something for them and dressing them.
How would someone describe the role of a DSP?
What can a DSP do?
What training do DSP’s have?
DSPs complete training through the College of Direct Support, part of the New Jersey Partnership for Direct Support Professional Workforce Development, which is part of The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities at Rutgers University. DSPs are expected to participate in continuing education throughout their career.
The Boggs Center is New Jersey’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and part of Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Pediatrics. Since its inception in 1983, The Center has emphasized a community-based, lifespan approach to meeting the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
