About this course
An introduction to developmental disabilities for Direct Support Professionals working in New York. Learners cover what a developmental disability is and how it differs from an intellectual disability, the causes and risk factors that arise before, during and after birth, and the characteristics of the conditions DSPs encounter most often. The course uses New York's definition — under Mental Hygiene Law §1.03(22), a developmental disability must originate before age 22 — and frames the DSP's role in terms of the New York State DSP Core Competencies. Suitable as onboarding for new staff in OPWDD-certified programs.