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Direct Support Professionals Association of Tennessee

Performance Standards for DSP’s

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  • Speak to all people politely, as you would like to be spoken to
  • Include all people in conversations; speak with them, not about them
  • Use positive verbal and non-verbal communication; avoid being negative
  • Explain things in ways that people can understand and observe how they receive the information
  • Encourage people to think by asking questions rather than giving commands
  • Teach individuals to do so as much as possible for themselves rather than doing for them
  • Include people in making decisions by providing choices; try not to be bossy
  • Respect differences and an individual’s desires, needs and values
  • Consider seriously the feelings and concerns of others even if they don’t seem important to you
  • Listen to each other’s point of view, even if upset or involved in a disagreement, and not allow it to affect your behavior

Code of Ethics

Person-centered supports: As a DSP, my first allegiance is to the person I support; all other activities and functions I perform flow from this allegiance.

Promoting physical and emotional well-being: As a DSP, I am responsible for supporting the emotional, physical and personal well-being of the individuals receiving support while being attentive and energetic in reducing their risk of harm.

Integrity and responsibility: As a DSP, I will support the mission and vitality of my profession to assist people in leading self-directed lives and to foster a spirit of partnership with the people I support, other professionals and the community.

Confidentiality: As A DSP, I will safeguard and respect the confidentiality and privacy of the people I support.

Justice, fairness and equity: As a DSP, I will promote and practice justice, fairness and equity for the people I support and the community as a whole. I will affirm the human and civil rights and responsibilities of the people I support.

Respect: As a DSP, I will respect the human dignity and uniqueness of the people I support. I will recognize each person I support as valuable and help others understand their value.

Relationships: As a DSP, I will assist the people I support to develop and maintain relationships.

Self-determination: As A DSP, I will assist the people I support to direct the course of their own lives.

Advocacy: As a DSP, I will advocate with the people I support for justice, inclusion and full community participation.

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