What is a Developmental Educator?

Developmental Educators (DEs) are qualified professionals who specialise in working with people with disability using a human rights framework to support full and meaningful inclusion and participation in society.

DEs take a holistic approach, considering the whole person and their sociocultural context. Their practice focuses on the lived experience, needs, goals, and aspirations of each individual.

Developmental Educators work collaboratively with participants to promote inclusion and address attitudinal and environmental barriers. They use a broad range of professional and technical skills, including:

• Applying developmental, behavioural, learning, and social theories
• Assessing the person and their environment
• Collaborative planning and goal setting
• Teaching skills using evidence-based instructional strategies
• Supporting life transitions
• Programming, monitoring, and evaluation
• Advocacy and community education
• Building participant capacity
   

All Developmental Educators are registered with the peak professional body, Developmental Educators Australia (DEA).