Learn more about some of our featured members and their DE practice.
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Student Spotlight: James
Hi, my name is James and I’m in the final year of studying the Master of Disability Practice and Leadership (Developmental Education).
This master’s degree has been an amazing opportunity to gain in-depth and valuable knowledge about disability from both a holistic and human rights perspective. It has not only deepened my understanding around therapeutic approaches and practice, but has provided me with an insight around disability culture, voice and awareness. I am so excited to graduate at the end of 2024 and begin my journey as a Developmental Educator.
Working for myself is awesome and no two DE sessions are the same. It keeps me on my toes and I love it.
I support participants on the Eyre Peninsula and Southern Adelaide, within their homes on a regular basis. My participant supports vary from Early Childhood intervention to teenagers to adults. One day I am supporting self-regulation, the next, writing programs for public transport programs or sensory profile assessments.
Authentic engagement with the hallmark of quality practice - treat others as you would wish to be treated, if you were in their position
I have a diverse practice that is inclusive of direct client work, clinical supervision across a range of specialty areas, training and development and organisational consultancy in strategic planning. I have lived experience of raising a son (now a young adult man) with a disability, I understand the journey of others. I have dedicated and focused my practice to on working with complex dual diagnosis clients. Some days I will be on the floor playing games and engaging with a child and the next will be presenting at a conference or training workshop, and then providing supervision of DE’s and/or Behaviour Support Practitioners. Never a dull day!!
Every day in this job brings new challenges and rewards, and that’s what fuels my passion. I’m driven by the opportunity to advocate for my clients and make a meaningful difference in their lives.
I am a Developmental Educator with over five years of experience in the disability sector. My day consists of working with a diverse range of clients in many different environments, supporting them with daily living skills, promoting independence and advocating for inclusion. I love creating person-centred resources to support the implementation of routine, increase daily living and social skills for my clients.
"I wanted to be able to help others and to be able to create a positive environment for those I can."
When I was young I grew up with people living with a disability in my life in my community and at school and found myself wanting to know more about what I could do. Becoming a DE seemed like the right pathway for me.
"My inspiration to be a DE stems from my experiences of supporting students with disability in special schools. "
I found it very rewarding to contribute to their education, however I also felt so much more needed to be done with respect to fostering their independence skills and inclusion in life. While initially studying a nursing degree in disability in my younger years, I later came across the ‘disability studies’ degree at Flinders University, which I found to fit beautifully with my own values and ethics that I had developed over the years.
