Top Skills You Can Learn by Becoming a DSP

Have you ever considered starting a career as a direct support professional? Are you interested in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities?

Did you know that in addition to making a real impact on the lives of those you support, you can learn important skills and abilities that will benefit you for a lifetime? Let’s learn more and explore these skills below with ALSO.

What is a Direct Support Professional (DSP)?

Much more than direct care providers assisting with daily activities such as personal hygiene, bathing, and cooking, DSPs help individuals with disabilities to realize their full potential. They play a vital role in helping them to lead self-directed lives by fostering self-reliance, self-confidence, and self-esteem.

DSPs are human services professionals whose interventions make a positive impact on:

• independent living
• employment
• social skills
• education
• community integration

Best Skills That DSPs Learn

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

DSPs get opportunities to sharpen interpersonal skills on a daily basis. They learn active listening as they help those they support in exploring desires for the future. DSPs also practice empathy and conflict resolution, which helps them through disagreements with others.

DSPs must also practice effective communication with members of the community. This includes potential employers, social services professionals, and family members of those supported.

Organizational Skills

Each day is completely different when it comes to being a DSP. There is never a dull moment! This translates to frequent honing of organizational skills. DSPs might be accompanying someone to a medical appointment in the morning, then providing training in the necessary skills for grocery shopping in the afternoon.

Technical Skills

Direct support professionals are called to use a wide variety of technical skills. It all depends on the needs of the people we support, but here are a few examples:

• Utilization and training in assistive technology devices.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Medication administration
• Participation in Individualized Education Plans and Individualized Support Plans

Life Skills

There are several life skills that DSPs can work on while supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. For many of us, the development of coping strategies is a decades-long challenge. Being a DSP can be quite demanding, and knowing how to remain calm and attend to our own mental health amidst difficulties is an excellent skill.

Adaptability

No two individuals will have the same set of strengths and challenges. One person may have physical disabilities that make it difficult to get around their school, while someone else with an intellectual disability may need guidance during community activities. DSPs get many opportunities to adapt to these different challenges.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is something that most of us aspire to improve throughout our lifetime. The basis of this skill essentially comes down to self-awareness, self-acceptance, and the ability to manage our emotions. As exciting as DSP work is, it can also be disappointing at times. Those who have skills in emotional intelligence are adept at accepting constructive criticism and successfully move forward. It is also an important skill to have in practicing empathy and relating and communicating with others.

Skills Learned Through DSP Education, Training, and Certifications

Several organizations exist for purposes of direct support professional workforce development, for example:

• Training programs to learn new skills as well sharpen existing ones.
• Certifications that standardize DSP training and establish core competencies (e.g. National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals).
• Opportunities to learn about the real, daily tasks of a DSP (video).

CHECK IT OUT: An excellent resource list by the Institute on Community Integration.

Become a DSP at ALSO Today!

At ALSO, we’ve always called the work we do Heart Work, because it comes from a place in the heart. This is really all you need to get started on a career that improves your personal and professional abilities.

We have a top-notch team that truly appreciates what you have to offer. We supply training, technical support, and a listening ear to help you excel in your profession.

Interested in joining our team of direct support professionals? Learn more on the ALSO Careers Page.