DDA Disability Awareness & Person-Centered Support 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which principle best describes 'presumption of competence' in working with individuals with developmental disabilities?
- Assuming the individual can learn and communicate until proven otherwise (Correct answer)
- Testing cognitive ability before assigning tasks
- Requiring formal assessments before allowing decision-making
- Deferring all decisions to the individual's legal guardian
Correct answer: Assuming the individual can learn and communicate until proven otherwise
Presumption of competence means always assuming the individual has the capacity to learn, communicate, and participate unless evidence clearly indicates otherwise.
Question 2: A person with an intellectual disability wants to try a risky hobby like rock climbing. The person-centered approach requires the support worker to:
- Prohibit the activity to prevent injury
- Explore supported risk-taking while respecting the individual's choice (Correct answer)
- Refer the decision entirely to the family
- Document the request and take no further action
Correct answer: Explore supported risk-taking while respecting the individual's choice
Person-centered support involves supported risk-taking, helping individuals pursue their goals while identifying reasonable safeguards.
Question 3: What does 'dignity of risk' mean in disability support contexts?
- Minimizing all risks to protect the individual
- The right of individuals to experience challenges and potential failure as part of life (Correct answer)
- Requiring staff to sign liability waivers before supporting activities
- Assessing risks only when mandated by law
Correct answer: The right of individuals to experience challenges and potential failure as part of life
Dignity of risk recognizes that real autonomy includes the freedom to make choices that carry some risk, just as non-disabled people experience.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of ableist language that a DDA professional should avoid?
- 'Person with a disability'
- 'He is wheelchair-bound' (Correct answer)
- 'She uses a wheelchair'
- 'Individual with autism'
Correct answer: 'He is wheelchair-bound'
'Wheelchair-bound' implies the person is trapped or limited by the device, whereas 'uses a wheelchair' describes the mobility tool neutrally.
Question 5: A support plan should be updated primarily when:
- The funding cycle ends
- The individual's preferences, goals, or circumstances change (Correct answer)
- The supervising agency requests a review
- The previous plan is exactly one year old
Correct answer: The individual's preferences, goals, or circumstances change
Person-centered plans are living documents that must reflect the individual's current goals and life changes, not arbitrary administrative timelines.
Question 6: In person-centered thinking, what is the 'doughnut tool' used for?
- Tracking caloric intake for individuals with dietary restrictions
- Separating core non-negotiable responsibilities from areas of staff judgment (Correct answer)
- Mapping social networks around the individual
- Recording behavioral incidents in a structured format
Correct answer: Separating core non-negotiable responsibilities from areas of staff judgment
The doughnut tool distinguishes what staff must do (core responsibilities) from where they can use their own judgment to personalize support.
Question 7: An individual with a developmental disability moves to a new residence. The best first step for support staff is to:
- Implement the existing support plan immediately without changes
- Ask the individual what is important to them and what good support looks like (Correct answer)
- Contact the previous provider for behavioral history
- Observe the individual for 30 days before introducing themselves
Correct answer: Ask the individual what is important to them and what good support looks like
Getting to know the individual's preferences and definition of good support is the foundation of person-centered practice from day one.
DDA Disability Awareness & Person-Centered Support 2
Which principle best describes 'presumption of competence' in working with individuals with developmental disabilities?