The following developmental disabilities specialty competencies describe the behavior and skills a long-term care worker must exhibit when working with residents and include learning objectives associated with each competency:

(1) Regarding the competency on an overview of developmental disabilities, draw upon a basic understanding of developmental disabilities and demonstrate awareness of the unique needs of residents with developmental disabilities:

(a) Define developmental disability and describe intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism;

(b) Identify common myths and misconceptions about developmental disabilities;

(c) Describe the negative effects of using labels such as "retarded" or "handicapped" to represent people and positive alternatives; and

(d) Differentiate between developmental disabilities and mental illness.

(2) Regarding the competency on values of service delivery, promote and support a resident's self-determination:

(a) Identify the principle of normalization and its significance to the work of long-term care workers;

(b) Explain how understanding each resident's needs leads to better services and supports, which lead to better outcomes for the resident;

(c) Describe each of the residential services guidelines and identify how the values represented in the guidelines are important in the lives of people with developmental disabilities;

(d) Describe the principle of self-determination; and

(e) Identify positive outcomes for residents with developmental disabilities when they are connected to the community they live in.

(3) Regarding the competency on communication, provide culturally compassionate and individualized care by utilizing a basic understanding of a resident or resident's history, experience, and cultural beliefs:

(a) List the key elements of effective communication;

(b) Describe the impact communication has on the lives of residents with developmental disabilities;

(c) Explain the impact a long-term care worker's behavior can have on eliciting communication;

(d) Explain the impact of a resident's physical environment on his or her ability to communicate;

(e) Describe methods of communication, other than verbal, that long-term care workers might use when supporting residents with developmental disabilities; and

(f) List tips for communication with residents with developmental disabilities.

(4) Regarding the competency on interactive planning, using person-centered and interactive planning when working with residents with developmental disabilities:

(a) Identify the benefits of using a person-centered planning process rather than the traditional planning methods used to develop supports for people with developmental disabilities;

(b) Identify key elements involved in interactive planning;

(c) Identify ways to include people with developmental disabilities and their families in the planning process; and

(d) Identify the required planning document for the setting and list ways to have a positive impact on the plan.

(5) Regarding the competency on challenging behaviors, use a problem solving approach and positive support principles when dealing with challenging behaviors:

(a) Identify the essential components of the concept of positive behavioral supports;

(b) Define the "ABCs" and describe how to use that process to discover the function of behavior;

(c) Explain why it is critical to understand the function of behavior before developing a support plan;

(d) Define reinforcement and identify ways to utilize it as a tool to increase a resident's ability to be successful;

(e) Identify the problems with using punishment to manage behavior;

(f) Identify behavior management techniques that are not allowed under DSHS policies and applicable laws;

(g) Identify factors that can positively and negatively influence the behavior of residents with developmental disabilities; and

(h) List steps to be taken when crisis or danger to people is immediate.

(6) Regarding the competency on crisis prevention, support a resident experiencing a crisis and get assistance when needed:

(a) Identify behaviors in people with developmental disabilities that might constitute "normal stress";

(b) Define "crisis";

(c) Differentiate the behaviors a resident who is in crisis exhibits from mental illness;

(d) Identify the principles of crisis prevention and intervention;

(e) Identify what types of situations require outside assistance and at what point it becomes necessary; and

(f) Name several ways to provide support to a resident experiencing a crisis.

(7) Regarding the competency on legal rights, promote and protect the legal and resident rights of residents with developmental disabilities:

(a) Explain how the rights of residents with disabilities compare to those of the general population;

(b) List the rights of residents living in adult family homes and assisted living facilities and the laws that support those rights;

(c) Describe how long-term care workers can help residents to exercise their rights;

(d) List ways a caregiver or long-term care worker must safeguard each resident's confidentiality;

(e) Describe the three types of guardianship a resident with developmental disabilities might be subject to and why;

(f) List less restrictive alternatives to guardianship;

(g) Describe the responsibilities, powers, and limitations of a guardian; and

(h) Describe the relationship between long-term care workers and guardians/families.