Welcome to DSP with AAC!

Are you a direct support professional working with adult clients who are intellectually and developmentally disabled and nonverbal (or nonspeaking)?

Do your non speaking clients…

• Either NOT have their own AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device, or have a device from their school days but only use it for specific requests, or else have NO interest in using it?
• Require restraint or sedation for routine medical procedures like getting blood drawn or having their teeth cleaned?
• Exhibit challenging behaviors that can escalate quickly and become frightening?
• Have difficulty building meaningful relationships and making connections with others?
• Become agitated and escalated during emergencies or sudden changes of plans?
• Not have access to employment because of behavior or communication challenges?

Do you often worry, with your nonspeaking client, whether or not you REALLY understand what is important to them and what they choose, when they have no way to tell you?

If so, you’re not alone, and I’ve got some good news for you! 

While you are assisting your client with their activities of daily living (ADL’s) you can also empower your client to: 

• Make everyday choices about the things that matter to them, 
• Consent (or not) to medical procedures and other body integrity issues;
• Be accountable for their actions, and hold others accountable too (know their rights); 
• Understand and adapt to sudden changes of plans, and
• Form meaningful connections in the community.

All you will need is the cell phone that’s already in your pocket, a communication app (I have some recommendations), and some training.

What's inside?

Person Centered Support

Person centered support is the “action step” of person centered planning, and this is our role on the team. As DSPs it is important for us to remember that the individuals we serve are in the driver’s seat of their own lives, that they get to decide what constitutes a good life and how they want to live it; and that this right is not just a nice idea - it’s protected by federal regulations.

Read more about Person Centered Support.

Activities of Daily Living

Activities of daily living (ADLs) are the very specific things, unique to each client, that we DSPs get paid to assist them with every day. They are called “activities of daily living” because they are all the things that a young, healthy person without a disability would not need help with in their day to day life under normal circumstances.

Read more about Activities of Daily Living.