Skillfully Working with People with Developmental Disabilities From Rutgers Cooperative Extension

Build new skills and gain the knowledge to skillfully work with people with developmental disabilities in this five-course training series offered by CSU in partnership with Rutgers University.

Learn how to teach, assist, and work with people with disabilities

This training series, developed by faculty of Rutgers Cooperative Extension/New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, consists of five online courses that provide the foundational knowledge for teaching, assisting, and working with people with disabilities. The series also helps participants learn how to identify different behavioral patterns and implement effective strategies to manage the educational setting. The courses may be taken individually or as a five-course series.

What sets this program apart?

• Experienced Expertise: Benefit from the collective wisdom of a team of educators and community outreach professionals with more than 50 years of combined experience in working with youth and adults with disabilities.
• Practical Application: The program is designed to provide you with practical content that can be immediately applied in your educational or clinical setting, enhancing your ability to create inclusive environments.
• Showcase Your Expertise: Earn badges upon completion of each course, which can be displayed on your LinkedIn profile, showcasing your commitment to inclusive education and your dedication to professional growth.

Gain important, relevant skills for your professional career

By the end of this program, you will have knowledge and confidence in:

• Using appropriate terminology and language.
• Considering the legal protections and accommodations that must be considered by educators and other professionals.
• Understanding the different learning styles and behavioral triggers of people with developmental disabilities.
• Creating and using visual supports and cues for interaction.
• Using instructional techniques to enhance learning.
• Making modifications to learning materials.
• Scanning the environment and adding any more visual support in an outside setting, i.e., being aware of sensory issues such as noise, light, etc.

Versatile training for a variety of work settings

This program benefits a wide variety of occupations including educators and teachers, community service volunteers, parents and caregivers, healthcare professionals, social workers, counselors and therapists, first responders, and more.