$40
$6,730
+ textbook fee
~$1,500
Start Date
Ashton College offers two online learning options to suit your schedule:
The Developmental Services Worker (DSW) Diploma program focuses on the skills necessary to assist clients with their physical, vocational, recreational, social, emotional and daily skill development. ​It is perfectly suited for anyone who wants to become a Personal Support Worker, Home Support Worker or Developmental Service Worker.
Developmental Services Worker​/Personal Support Worker students will learn how to ​provide personal support ​to clients ​enabling them to ​achieve the highest degree of independence and quality of life possible. ​Typically the Community Support Worker or Personal Support Worker will offer a variety of services depending upon the needs of the specific case.
Apart from learning about behaviour management and counselling, you will also receive training in crisis intervention, learning and support strategies, creating community inclusivity, health and wellness, communication skills and more. As a Developmental Services Worker​/Personal Support Worker, you ​may ​also ​be called upon to help support individuals with developmental disabilities, social and personal problems, and ensure their overall well-being.
Please note that the practicum component must be completed in person.
Upon completion of this program, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
Graduates of the Developmental Services Worker program will be able to obtain a fulfilling position within the following fields:
This course is intended to provide students with the fundamental skills to be successful in an online learning environment. Students will be introduced to the Microsoft Office suite applications most commonly used in document preparation and report writing. Students will also learn how to effectively implement Internet web searches. Students will learn the applications of their learning management system (LMS), in order to upload assignments and access content throughout their time in the program.
Upon completion of this course the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
This course will discuss developmental disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD), Down Syndrome (or Trisomy 21), Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS), and Fragile-X Syndrome (FXS). The focus of this course is evidence-based research on these disorders and commonly used interventions that have demonstrated enhancements in independence and quality of life. This course will provide an overview of the care and considerations needed when working with individuals with disabilities. This course is an overview of the historical outlook on disability as well the recent research surrounding disabilities. Students will learn the importance of confidentiality and protecting vulnerable populations. This course will also cover the attitudes, perceptions and stigmatizing towards individuals with disabilities.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
In this course, students will look at the roles and responsibilities of a Developmental Services Worker. Students will gain an understanding of, and exposure to, a variety of potential work environments. Students will also learn their professional code of conduct and ethics as a Developmental Services Worker. This course introduces students to the core values of the industry as well as a Developmental Service Worker’s role in advocacy and empowerment of individuals with disabilities. Students will also explore confidentiality and professional boundaries to set them up for success in their future roles.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
Students will gain an understanding of theorists and their research on life span development. Exploration of development will begin with infancy and early childhood and end with late adulthood and the end of life. Students will also have the opportunity to make decisions in raising a child from infancy to adulthood through a virtual reality assignment. Additionally, this course will touch on how developmental disabilities alter development through the life span. Students will gain an appreciation for how developmental disabilities contribute to everyday life from infancy to late adulthood.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
This course outlines the fundamentals in psychology and abnormal psychology. Students will learn the factual foundation, techniques, vocabulary of psychology and human behaviour. Application of psychology in areas of learning, intelligence, motivation, emotion, personality, behaviour disorders, mental health and therapy will be discussed. By understanding abnormal psychology, students are better equipped to make connections and build relationships with the individuals they are supporting within the community.
Upon completion of this course the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
In this course, students will receive an overview of mental health service delivery options within BC and how to determine service delivery options within your specific area. Students will also explore Canada’s Mental Health Act. Students will be introduced to the DSM-V, etiology, symptoms and treatments of various major mental illnesses and disorders. This course will also touch on the role of health and wellness in the lives of community members, and how to help promote healthy habits in the individuals you are supporting. Due to the fact that the Developmental Services Worker (DSW) is supporting and providing care to individuals with complex medical needs, it is important to have a basic understanding of bodily functions. Students will also get a glimpse into the mind-body connection.
Upon completion of this course the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
This course focuses on the industry best practice of behaviour management which is Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and under the umbrella of ABA is Positive Behaviour Support which students will also become familiar with. Using the ABC model (modifying antecedents and consequences), students will understand how to manage behaviour using reinforcement. There are many ethical considerations to keep in mind regarding behaviour management, so students will get a deeper look into providing behaviour support that is client-centered and supports an enhanced quality of life. Practical applications of theory and their effects on behaviours will be discussed through this course.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
There is an expanse of technologies available to help adapt the built environment to support the needs of individuals with various disabilities. This course is designed to show how assistive technology can be used in community settings to enhance the teaching and learning of people with disabilities. It addresses the challenge of how we can effectively use assistive technology in all kinds of settings to enhance skill-building. This course will also discuss alternate communication technologies and give students the foundational skills to use these technologies, in order to communicate effectively with the individuals they are supporting.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
A dual diagnosis is defined by a combination of two diagnoses, in this course the focus will be the interaction between a developmental disability diagnosis and a mental illness diagnosis. Students will get a better look at the history of dual diagnosis and how a mental illness can make a developmental disability more complex. This course will also outline the importance of a support team and all of the practitioners and service providers involved in supporting an individual with a dual diagnosis.
Upon completion of this course the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
This course introduces drug therapy and the administration of medication responsibilities of a developmental services worker. Students will learn the basics about drug interactions and the various uses of medications and how they target the different body systems based on the disease or disorder. Students will also get an overview of supporting individuals in the community with addiction disorders.
Upon completion of this course the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
This course will teach students how to employ strategies to motivate, support and encourage clients in Activities of Daily Living and Life Skills.
Upon completion of this course the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
The concept of person-centred planning looks at the process by which the interests and desires of an individual with a disability are central to making joint decisions about the future. Living and working considerations vary depending on each individual and that is why it is crucial to ensure the person is central. This course will teach students how to assist people to enhance participation in their communities based on their interests.
Upon completion of this course the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
This course will provide graduates with the skills necessary to prepare for, seek and secure employment in their field of study. Students will get a clear understanding of what their options are for employment opportunities and the different settings they could apply to work in. Students will learn how to format their resumes and cover letters as well as how to conduct oneself in an interview. By building on career planning skills, students are better equipped to also support their clients in attaining employment.
Upon completion of this course the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
This course will provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge to a community setting. Through completing a field practicum, students are prepared for a career in developmental services. Students will have hands-on experience supporting individuals with disabilities in the community and will apply what they have learned about professionalism and relationship building to practices within the developmental services field.
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
View practicum guidelines and FAQs: www.ashtoncollege.ca/practicum-and-community-field-experience/
Domestic students need ONE of the following:
And you must prove the following:
Are you a domestic student?
You must show your language proficiency in ONE of the following ways:
English is presumed to be the language of instruction in the following countries:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierre Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Approved English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
International students need:
And you must prove the following:
Are you an international student?
You must show your language proficiency in ONE of the following ways:
English is presumed to be the language of instruction in the following countries:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierre Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Approved English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores
Do you identify as a mature student?
To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
Application Requirements
Mature Students must submit ALL of the following:
Additional Requirements
You must meet all of the program-specific and non-academic requirements where listed. In some cases, you may need to complete a placement exam to determine academic readiness.
Applicants should also provide the following additional documents. These additional mandatory requirements apply prior to commencing practicums and not at the time of admission.
Tuition fees for the program may be paid in instalments. Instalments can be reviewed here. A $300 tuition fee deposit is required upon admission for self-funding students and those without proof of funding. The tuition fee deposited will be credited to the student’s tuition fee account. Students with guaranteed funding arrangements will be exempt from paying a tuition fee deposit upon admission if they submit proof of funding before the program start date.
All formats of the program are eligible for Canada Student Loans, other forms of government funding, and bank financing. However, students are responsible for making their own funding arrangements and are advised to contact the relevant funder well in advance of the start date to make an application.
Application and tuition fees for this program are as follows:
Note: Tuition fees do not include the cost of the required textbooks. The approximate textbook fees are $1500.
Ashton College does not sell textbooks directly. Students are required to purchase their textbooks through third-party vendors.
At Ashton College, we are committed to making quality education accessible to everyone. We offer various education loans, grants, and other financial options to help fund your education.
Government loans and grants are available for eligible full-time and part-time online programs. Additionally, private financial institutions like banks provide financial assistance specifically for students.
For more details, visit our Financial Assistance page
Technical Requirements:
Computer System:Â Fully functional computer with webcam, speakers, and microphone (headset recommended).
Internet Connection:Â Reliable high-speed internet connection.
Device: While accessible on smartphones and tablets, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for a better learning experience.
This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the British Columbia Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
