Skillfully Working with People with Developmental Disabilities

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than six million individuals in the United States have developmental disabilities. About one in six children between the ages of 3 and 17 in the U.S. has one or more developmental disabilities or developmental delays. Developmental disabilities include learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and others.

To better serve this population, it is important for professionals and volunteers to gain an understanding of the characteristics and needs of people living with disabilities.

Training Available

Training is available for Extension staff and volunteers, formal and non-formal educators, community organization staff, caregivers, and other individuals who provide programming and/or support for youth and adults with developmental disabilities. The Skillfully Working with People with Disabilities training series is available online through a partnership with Colorado State University. Download a printable flyer (PDF).

The Skillfully Working with People with Developmental Disabilities training series, developed by faculty of Rutgers Cooperative Extension/New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and available through Colorado State University Online, 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.

For more information, please contact:

Kelly Dziak
Email: dziak@njaes.rutgers.edu