The direct support workforce in community supports to individuals with developmental disabilities: Issues, implications, and promising pactices

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Hewitt ◽  
Sheryl Larson
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Community Supports

The Perceived Role of Direct Support Professionals in the Health Promotion Efforts of Adults With Developmental Disabilities Receiving Support Services

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendall A. Leser ◽  
Phyllis L. Pirie ◽  
Amy K. Ferketich ◽  
Susan M. Havercamp ◽  
Mary Ellen Wewers
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Support Services ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Community Agency ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professionals ◽  
Qualitative Focus Groups ◽  
Future Work

Abstract Direct support professionals (DSPs) play a large social role in the lives of people with developmental disabilities (DD) and have the potential to influence their health behaviors. Six qualitative focus groups (n = 48) were conducted with DD community agency administrators, DSPs, family members and adults with DD to better understand the perceived role of DSPs in the health promotion efforts of those with DD. Findings from this study suggest that DSPs experience several barriers when trying to promote the health of those with DD, one of which is fear of violating the rights of people with DD. Future work should identify ways to overcome the barriers experienced by DSPs, so that they can better assist people with DD with health promotion efforts.

Dietary and physical activity behaviors of adults with developmental disabilities and their direct support professional providers

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 532-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendall A. Leser ◽  
Phyllis L. Pirie ◽  
Amy K. Ferketich ◽  
Susan M. Havercamp ◽  
Mary Ellen Wewers
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professional ◽  
Adults With Developmental Disabilities

Parent and Teacher Perspectives on Friendships and Social Interactions of Secondary Students With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Inclusion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Rossetti ◽  
Donna Lehr ◽  
Shuoxi Huang ◽  
Jessica Ghai ◽  
Nancy Harayama
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
School Students ◽  
Inclusive Settings ◽  
Direct Support

AbstractFriendships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) remain infrequent, especially at the secondary level. However, when friendships between students with and without IDD have developed, direct support from parents and teachers has been a critical facilitator. Thus, this qualitative study examined parent (n = 10) and teacher (n = 20) perspectives on friendships and social interactions of middle and high school students with IDD receiving special education services in inclusive settings at least part of the day. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with each participant and analyzed inductively using a multistage process of open and then thematic coding. The thematic findings suggest that the challenge of friendship development between students with and without IDD is ongoing, though there may be potential in focusing more explicitly and intentionally on increasing social interaction opportunities both in and out of school. Implications for future research and practice are described in the context of supporting students with and without IDD to increase social interactions and develop friendships.

Community Supports and COVID-19: Self-Determination in a Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 453-457
Author(s):  
David A. Ervin ◽  
Donyale Hobson-Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
General Population ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Community Supports

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is impacting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) significantly. Early data on the impact of COVID-19 suggests that people with IDD are experiencing more severe health outcomes compared to the general population. In addition to their elevated health risks, people with IDD, like the rest of the population, are struggling with boredom, isolation, and loneliness as they shelter in place. As people with IDD seek a return to their jobs, friends and families, and the activities of their community, community-based provider organizations must strike a difficult balance between actions that are intended to protect the health and safety of people they support and actions that honor people's choices and encourage self-determination. Practical issues that community-based provider organizations must consider when striking the correct balance are discussed, and recommendations on ways to support people with IDD to make informed, self-determined choices during the pandemic are offered.

The Effects of Aggression Subtypes on Burnout and Caregiver Instability in Direct Support Professionals

2021 ◽  
pp. 109830072110137
Author(s):  
Rose E. Nevill ◽  
Emily M. Istvan ◽  
Susan M. Havercamp
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Verbal Aggression ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Direct Support Professionals ◽  
Aggression Subtypes ◽  
Active Attention ◽  
Intervention Planning ◽  
Emotional Effects

Aggression is a known contributor to burnout and caregiver instability among direct support professionals (DSPs) caring for adults with developmental disabilities. However, few studies have explored the differential effects of aggression subtypes on caregivers and what implications these may have for intervention planning. This longitudinal study examined whether different types of aggression were associated with greater burnout and instability in DSPs. Ninety DSPs reported on their experiences working with aggressive clients with developmental disabilities at baseline and at a 3-month follow-up. Participants were roughly representative of the population of DSPs in the United States. Verbal aggression and reduced length of time knowing the aggressive adult significantly predicted caregiver instability, with participants who had stopped working with the aggressive adult experiencing significantly worse verbal aggression than participants who were still working with the adult at follow-up. Hostile affect significantly predicted burnout. Verbal aggression and hostility, which are less frequently targeted for intervention as more dangerous forms of aggression, pose risks for caregivers and therefore warrant active attention through intervention. DSPs would benefit from training on how to diffuse and redirect verbal aggression and hostility, as well as use coping strategies to mitigate against the negative emotional effects of aggression.

Strategies for Organizational Change from Group Homes to Individualized Supports

2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
pp. 403-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pam Walker
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Organizational Change ◽  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Group Homes ◽  
Power And Control ◽  
And Control ◽  
Staff Engagement ◽  
Community Supports ◽  
Authentic Person

Abstract Organizations are increasingly looking to convert from facility-based services for adults with developmental disabilities to individualized supports. Such conversion involves not only a change in services but a transformation of organizational culture. This qualitative study involved four organizations that have made sustained efforts to transform. Although the approach taken by each organization was unique, there were also some common strategies, which included generating commitment to common values and mission, a turn or return to authentic person-centered planning, shifting power and control, using community supports and relationships, moving away from facility-based settings, and nurturing staff engagement. Ultimately, organizational change is an ongoing process that requires organizational perseverance and commitment.

scholarly journals Better Together: A Pilot Study on Cooking Matters for Adults With Developmental Disabilities and Direct Support Professionals

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 117863881984003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley R Barnhart ◽  
Susan M Havercamp ◽  
Allison Lorenz ◽  
Emily A Yang
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Food Preparation ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Direct Support Professionals ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Adults With Developmental Disabilities

Adults with developmental disabilities face barriers to making healthy lifestyle choices that mirror the barriers faced by the direct support professionals who serve them. These two populations, direct support professionals and adults with developmental disabilities, are likely to lead inactive lifestyles, eat unhealthy diets, and be obese. Moreover, direct support professionals influence the nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and health behaviors of the adults with developmental disabilities whom they serve. We piloted a cooking-based nutrition education program, Cooking Matters for Adults, to dyads of adults with developmental disabilities (n = 8) and direct support professionals (n = 7). Team-taught by a volunteer chef and nutrition educator, Cooking Matters for Adults uses an active learning approach to teach food preparation safety skills and nutrition knowledge to inform healthy food and beverage choices. We assessed healthy food preparation, intake of a balanced diet, healthy food and beverage choices, and cooking confidence and barriers at pre-test, post-test, and 6-months after the intervention. Among both adults with developmental disabilities and direct support professionals, positive trends in healthy food preparation, eating a balanced diet, and reduction in cooking barriers were observed at post-test and 6-months. We also qualitatively assessed knowledge of and attitudes toward healthy eating, frequency of food and beverage intake, knowledge about kitchen skills and safety, as well as overall satisfaction, cooking confidence, and acceptability of the dyad approach. Participants with developmental disabilities and direct support professionals reported that they learned about healthy food and beverage choices and various cooking skills. Participants reported confidence in skills learned and were satisfied with the intervention and approach of including adults with developmental disabilities and direct support professionals in the intervention together.

The Impact of Direct Support Professional Turnover on the Health and Safety of People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Inclusion ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-73
Author(s):  
Carli Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Emergency Room ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Emergency Room Visits ◽  
Direct Support ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Direct Support Professional ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Direct support professional (DSP) turnover significantly impacts both human service providers and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This study explored how DSP turnover impacts people with IDD's health and safety. We analyzed secondary data regarding DSP turnover and health and safety (i.e., emergency room visits, incidents of abuse and neglect, injuries, and behavioral events) from a random sample of 251 people with IDD. Findings revealed, regardless of their support needs, people who experienced DSP turnover had more emergency room visits, experienced more instances of abuse and neglect, and had more injuries than people who did not experience DSP turnover. Our findings suggest extended tenure of DSPs can help promote the health and safety of people with IDD.

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