DSP Accredited Direct Support Professional Courses 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which national organization created the National Frontline Supervisor (FLS) competency framework that often complements DSP accreditation programs?
- NADSP (Correct answer)
- ANCOR
- The Arc
- CMS
Correct answer: NADSP
NADSP (National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals) developed both the DSP and FLS competency frameworks used across accredited training programs.
Question 2: In an accredited DSP course, the competency area 'Community Inclusion and Network Building' primarily focuses on:
- Helping individuals participate in community activities of their choice (Correct answer)
- Scheduling medical appointments for individuals
- Managing household budgets for group homes
- Completing incident reports after community outings
Correct answer: Helping individuals participate in community activities of their choice
This competency emphasizes supporting individuals to engage in community life and build natural social networks on their own terms.
Question 3: A DSP notices that an individual they support has begun refusing meals. The correct first step is to:
- Document the refusal and notify the supervisor or care team (Correct answer)
- Force the individual to eat to maintain health
- Assume the individual is on a diet and take no action
- Reduce meal portions to encourage eating
Correct answer: Document the refusal and notify the supervisor or care team
Documenting changes in behavior and reporting to the supervisor ensures the care team can assess for medical, emotional, or preference-related causes.
Question 4: Under accredited DSP curricula, 'self-determination' means the individual has the right to:
- Make choices about their own life, including choices others may disagree with (Correct answer)
- Have DSPs make all decisions to ensure safety
- Follow only the choices approved by their legal guardian
- Select from options pre-approved by agency staff
Correct answer: Make choices about their own life, including choices others may disagree with
Self-determination recognizes individuals with disabilities as the primary decision-makers in their own lives, even when choices carry some risk.
Question 5: Which federal law significantly shaped the push toward community-based services and away from institutionalization, influencing DSP training content?
- The Olmstead Decision (ADA enforcement) (Correct answer)
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Correct answer: The Olmstead Decision (ADA enforcement)
The 1999 Olmstead Supreme Court decision mandated that states provide services in the most integrated setting appropriate, driving community-based DSP roles.
Question 6: In accredited DSP training, 'positive behavioral supports' (PBS) differ from punitive approaches because PBS:
- Identifies the function of behavior and addresses underlying needs (Correct answer)
- Uses consequences to discourage unwanted behavior
- Restricts access to preferred items until behavior improves
- Relies primarily on medication adjustments
Correct answer: Identifies the function of behavior and addresses underlying needs
PBS is a person-centered, evidence-based framework that seeks to understand why a behavior occurs and then teaches alternative skills or modifies the environment.
Question 7: Accredited DSP programs commonly address 'universal precautions' to ensure DSPs:
- Treat all blood and bodily fluids as potentially infectious regardless of known diagnosis (Correct answer)
- Only wear gloves when an individual has a confirmed bloodborne illness
- Avoid physical contact with individuals during personal care routines
- Report suspected infections to law enforcement
Correct answer: Treat all blood and bodily fluids as potentially infectious regardless of known diagnosis
Universal precautions require treating every person's blood and bodily fluids as if infectious, protecting both DSPs and individuals from disease transmission.
DSP Accredited Direct Support Professional Courses 2
Which national organization created the National Frontline Supervisor (FLS) competency framework that often complements DSP accreditation programs?