Curriculum
The classes and courses we offer.
Disability Intensive Courses
The DIC courses are different in nature from the traditional CDS course format.
A Disability Intensive Course is a specialized course within the CDS Curriculum that focuses on a specific disability or condition – like cerebral palsy. Unlike other CDS courses, a DIC has one longer lesson instead of multiple lessons. These courses define and describe the nature of a specific disability or condition and have information about the causes, characteristics, and symptoms of the disability or condition. They shares stories of people who have this disability or condition and how it might affect their family members. These courses will help DSPs and family members understand how each disability affects people in their day-to-day lives and how co-occurring disorders with this disability or condition affects people as well.
A DIC will help identify strategies that work well when supporting people who have the disability. Finally, DICs offer suggestions for many specific resources that will help learners continue their studies towards understanding this disability or condition and the role they play in supporting individuals more fully.
AUTISM AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS
This course is an introduction to the topic of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Autism was once thought to be a rare disability. However, the number of people with autism is increasing. It is important for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to be knowledgeable about autism. This course will introduce information on the causes, characteristics, and symptoms of autism. It shares personal stories of people who have autism and his or her family members. This course will help DSPs understand how autism affects people in their daily lives. It will also help DSPs understand how co-occurring disorders may affect people with autism. Effective support strategies for working with people with autism will also be presented. DSPs will find a list of helpful resources and references about autism. In addition this course offers suggestions about other CDS courses that are helpful when supporting people with this disability.
BRAIN INJURY
This course is an overview of brain injury. It will cover the challenges someone with a brain injury may face and will help learners understand the short and long-term effects of brain injury. It will cover some of the most common causes of brain injury as well as discuss some of the ways brain injuries can be prevented. It also will help learners understand how brain injury may affect someone's life. This course includes some real life stories of individuals with brain injury and their families. It also includes the stories from a number of Direct Support Professionals who provide support. These stories have been included to deepen one’s understanding of what it means to have a brain injury. You will learn about different strategies that can help you support someone with a disability caused by a brain injury.
There are helpful resources and references about the disability highlighted throughout the lesson.
There are other CDS courses that can also help you develop the skills, competencies and strategies to support a person with brain injury. These include "You've Got a Friend: A Course on Relationships" and "Families and Other Support Networks." These can help you understand the importance of supporting someone to develop relationships. The courses "Supporting Healthy Lives" and "Introduction to Medication Supports" may be helpful for someone facing health issues. Someone you support may need help to pursue a self-directed life. The courses "Community Inclusion," "Individual Rights & Choices," and "Person Centered Planning" can help you to build strategies and interventions for this. Other courses that may be helpful are "Positive Behavior Supports," "Personal Cares," and "Employment Supports."
CEREBRAL PALSY
The Cerebral Palsy course introduces DSP and others to the disability. Cerebral palsy is a very common disability. It is a brain disorder that affects body movement and also affects muscle coordination. Cerebral palsy can begin in infancy or early childhood and can also be acquired at a later age when a specific part of the brain is injured. It is a permanent condition, but it does not get worse over time. Learners will learn to recognize common characteristics of cerebral palsy and it will also describe the main types of cerebral palsy. Finally, it will help DSPs and others understand some of the typical supports needed by someone who has cerebral palsy.
DEPRESSION
This course is an introduction to a mental health condition called depression. In it you will learn about the different forms of depression and how depression may affect the individuals you support and other people you may know. Depression is a common illness that spans all ages. You will learn to identify the signs and symptoms of depression and common treatment options. This course will also help Direct Support Professionals identify some common prevention and recovery tools, tools that can help those you support and people living with depression. You will learn how to help prevent and respond to suicide concerns. Throughout the course you will be introduced to some common myths and misperceptions about depression and the facts that will help you counter these myths. You will be introduced to helpful support strategies, as well. Finally, this course will suggest several resources to help you learn more about depression.
