Personal Care & Hygiene
What is one example of a personal hygiene routine?
Brushing teeth, showering, washing hands, grooming, or using deodorant.
Which task is an example of household management?
A. Watching television
B. Doing laundry
C. Playing a game
D. Listening to music
B. Doing laundry
Where should milk be stored?
In the refrigerator.
What does DSP stand for?
Direct Support Professional.
What is one way a DSP can support communication?
Listening, asking questions, using visuals, AAC, or other communication supports.
A person you support asks you to help with laundry. What should you do?
Support them with the task and encourage participation.
Why is personal hygiene important?
It helps maintain health, cleanliness, confidence, and overall well-being.
What is the main goal of teaching household skills?
To help individuals become more independent in their daily lives.
Which is a safe kitchen practice?
A. Leaving spills on the floor
B. Cleaning up spills right away
C. Leaving food out overnight
D. Putting hot items near the edge of a counter
B. Cleaning up spills right away.
What is the main goal of a DSP?
To support individuals in living meaningful, independent lives.
Why is it important to give individuals choices?
Choices promote independence, confidence, and self-advocacy.
You notice someone has trouble remembering their daily routine. What could help?
A schedule, checklist, reminder, or visual support.
A person you support forgets to brush their teeth every morning. What is the best way for a DSP to help?
Provide reminders, encouragement, or supports like a schedule while allowing the person to participate independently.
A person wants to learn how to clean their apartment. What should a DSP do?
Teach the steps, provide guidance, and encourage the person to complete the task.
A person you support wants to cook their own meal but needs some assistance. What should the DSP do?
Provide support and safety reminders while allowing the person to participate.
True or False: A DSP should make all decisions for the person they support.
False. DSPs support individuals in making their own choices.
A person communicates that they do not want help cleaning today. What should the DSP do?
Listen, respect their choice, and discuss options or alternatives.
A person you support wants to decorate their apartment differently than you would. What should you do?
Respect their choice because it is their home.
A person you support wants privacy while getting ready in the morning. How should a DSP respond?
Respect their privacy and only provide the support that is needed.
A DSP notices that a person they support always asks for help organizing their belongings. What support could help them become more independent?
Creating routines, using labels, checklists, or visual supports.
A person you support chooses a meal that is not very nutritious. What should the DSP do?
Respect their choice while providing education and encouraging healthy options.
What does “person-centered support” mean?
Supporting a person based on their goals, preferences, needs, and choices.
Why should DSPs learn how each individual prefers to communicate?
Because everyone communicates differently, and understanding communication helps provide better support.
A DSP cleans a person’s entire apartment every week without involving them. What is the concern?
The DSP may be taking away opportunities for independence and skill development.
A person you support needs assistance with hygiene but becomes frustrated when others help. What should the DSP consider before providing support?
The person’s preferences, dignity, privacy, communication style, and how to encourage the most independence possible.
Explain the difference between completing a household task FOR someone and supporting someone WITH a household task.
Completing it for someone takes away independence. Supporting someone allows them to participate, learn, and build skills.
A person you support makes a mistake while cooking. Why is it important for the DSP not to immediately take over?
Because mistakes can be learning opportunities. The DSP should promote problem-solving, skill development, and independence while maintaining safety.
A DSP thinks a person’s choice is different from what they would choose for themselves. What should the DSP do?
Respect the person’s choice, provide information, and support their right to make decisions.
A person you support cannot verbally communicate their preferences. How can a DSP make sure their choices are respected?
Use observation, communication systems, past preferences, family/team input when appropriate, and look for the person’s own ways of expressing choices.
A person you support wants to try completing a household task independently, but you think they may struggle. What is the best DSP response?
Support them in trying, provide appropriate guidance, and balance safety with dignity of risk.