Developmental Educators (DE's) are recognised by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) as professionals with disability specific expertise who can provide services under the NDIS. DE's are Bachelor qualified allied health professionals whose practice centres on the living experience, needs, goals and aspirations of people with disability. DE's collaborate with people with disability to promote inclusion and address attitudinal and environmental barriers. They do so by employing a range of professional and technical skills including applying developmental, behavioural, learning and social theories, assessing the person and their environment, collaborative planning and goal setting, teaching skills through evidence based instructional strategies, supporting life transitions, programming, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, community education and capacity building.
Developmental Educators (DEs) work with people who have disabilities on developing their strengths to enhance their quality of life. Our Developmental Educators work multidisciplinary and holistically to improve independence, learn skills and cope in environments. Our approach is based on an initial assessment and is then tailored to the needs and circumstances of you and your family.
Our DEs work with our clients to create a client-centred approach that will develop your skills and support the goals you have set. They will assess your situation, and develop a plan according to your strengths, in collaboration alongside your support network and other allied health professionals and practitioners you might be accessing. Many DEs are also trained in Positive Behaviour Support and can undertake behavioural assessments.
Developmental Educators (DEs)are able to assist their clients build competence in many ways. Some of these areas of development include:
After the Service Agreement and Consent Forms have been signed, a Developmental Educator (DE) will be assigned and will contact the client or the client's representative to coordinate a time to get to know the client and complete an Initial Assessment.
The nextstep is an Initial Assessment or Evaluation. After this, the Developmental Educator will create a client specific plan.
An individualised or personalised plan is the next step after the Developmental Educator (DE) thoroughly assesses the client. By understanding the client’s strengths and weaknesses, the DE will develop a unique plan. The Developmental Education Plan they create will serve as a roadmap and assist the client to work towards their goals.
After the goals are decided, the Developmental Education sessions follow the confirmed plan. Sessions last between 30 to 60 minutes and are organised as determined by the Developmental Educator to work with the client to gain the optimum outcomes.
