What REALLY is the Purpose of a DSP (Direct Support Professional)?  |
So many people have asked me just what a direct support professional (DSP) does and why is so important. Why spend millions in tax dollars to just help people play and go to movies. Well, if that is what people really think, they have no idea what a DSP really does. At ARISE Mentors, we cannot imagine agencies just helping people play or goof around. Helping individual gain, or maintain the skills needed to be “In-dependent” instead being dependent, is vital for individuals experiencing I/DD challenges.
Under the “Community Living” standard for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), the main purpose of providing supports is to “..permit individuals to live independently in a community-based setting.” [1] In other words, to help them develop and maintain the skills necessary to be “Independent” members “Of” the community, instead of “Dependent” individuals “ON” the community.
As DSP’s, we help individuals navigate life in a manner that benefits them and the community they live in. The 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America makes very clear the rights of every citizen, either born here or “Naturalized”, meaning, they became a citizen if they were not born here. Very specifically, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” [2] Furthermore, under the Oregon’s “Office of Developmental Disabilities Services” (ODDS) “Community Living” program is based on self-directed supports, or “Supported Decision-Making” as a part of this process and how it allows a person with a disability to make choices about their life.” There are multiple resources and support tools that help everyone understand better, just what this really means for individuals with I/DD challenges and those who support them. [3]
One of the hardest things we can do when assisting individuals with I/DD challenges, is watch them make mistakes. Our job is to not to save individuals from making mistakes, but teaching them how to understand potential consequences to decisions they make. Good decisions equal good consequences & bad decisions equal bad consequences in most all cases.
DSP’s are first and foremost teachers. Being a good teacher means you must first must be a REALLY good listener. If you do not know what an individual knows and what they still need to learn or receive help with, one will never be able to teach the skills needed to help individuals become “In-dependent”.
Secondly, DSP’s are mentors. We work hand in hand with individuals, modeling appropriate behavior, communication, healthy living, community socialization and all other things people need to know and understand to live within a community, instead of being a drain on the community. We teach best when we model behaviors and everything else we do in an appropriate manner.
The third thing we do as a DSP’s, is advocate for individuals who do not know how to advocate for themselves. Going to a doctor can be very confusing for anyone. For someone who experiences I/DD challenges, it can be overwhelming. Through modeling appropriate ways to communicate with doctors, other professionals, disrespectful or combative members of the community, we are advocating for individuals who have not yet learned the skills necessary to advocate for themselves.
How do we best do that as DSP’s? Well, anyway that makes sense for the people we work with. Playing various types of card or board games. Getting together in groups to hike, bowl, watch a movie, the possibilities are endless. The thing we need to remember, the card game, board game, bowling match, whatever we are doing is ONLY a “Tool” to help us teach the skills I/DD individuals are seeking to learn. If we become focused on the game or match itself, winning the game, we have already LOST!! So has the individual we are working with.
I have had conversations with DSP’s/PSW’s that have said they make sure they are trying to win at whatever they are doing, just so they can teach someone about losing gracefully. For someone who thinks that way, they have completely missed the whole purpose of being a DSP. If you are playing a game, bowling, or whatever it is you are doing as a “Tool” to help I/DD individuals learn appropriate skills. Winning should only be a byproduct of the situation itself, not the focus. So should we “Let” people “Win” at something so they don’t get mad, help them feel better about themselves? No, but if our main purpose of playing a card/board game, going bowling, golfing, playing kickball, etc, is to “Win” at what we are doing with the individuals, we really should look for another line of work.
Our job as a DSP is to help individuals develop skills necessary to be independent. The kind of relationships we can build with those we work with using all the various fun activities as a “Tool” and not having the activity be the main focus of our time with them, can be priceless. Developing trust is paramount to developing healthy relationships. If we are focused on winning at things, we will never build the trust that is needed to have healthy relationships. If the individuals we serve trust us, they will listen to us. They will allow us to help them become the best version of themselves. Without trust, this will never be accomplished. That means it is us, the DSP that has failed, not the individuals we serve.
[2] Constitution of the United States of America, Section 1
[3] https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/supported-decision-making/Pages/default.aspx