What does a developmental specialist do?
A developmental specialist typically works in the human resources department. Your job involves training employees and encouraging their peers to participate. Other duties include evaluating the company's HR and training programs, identifying the best type of training to ensure employee and company success, and designing and developing employee discussions, simulations, and exercises. In addition, you are expected to network with prospective donors and look for new funding sources. You are also expected to promote the organization's cause or work through advertisements, soirees, and literature.
Developmental specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real developmental specialist resumes:
- Provide PSR services to clients with mental illness in order to help them achieve the highest standard of living possible.
- Team leader in charge of receiving referrals make for children on the autism spectrum, communication delays and/or behavioral challenges.
- Participate in weekly individual therapy sessions with young children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder.
- Facilitate positive consumer and personal relationships base on positive consumer and personal relationships base on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
- Participate in transition classes for children transferring from EI services to daycare and Headstart settings.4.
- Monitor the completion of ASQ's.
- Provide home-based skills training to children with ASD
- Administer and score developmental screening tools: ASQ & ASQ-SE assessments for client's children.
- Create infant developmental programs to enhance language skills and motor development.
- Create individualized home exercise programs and parent education within the parameters of EI philosophy.
- Communicate effectively to children using sign language, proactive discipline, and emotional awareness to promote social competence.
- Adhere to confidentiality guidelines, as outlined by organization policy and HIPPA regulations.
Developmental specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Developmental Specialists are proficient in Social Work, Developmental Disabilities, and Autism. They’re also known for soft skills such as Time-management skills, Organizational skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Developmental Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Social Work, 13%
Maintained client based correspondence with Social Workers, Nursing Staff, and Residential Staff.
- Developmental Disabilities, 12%
Monitored implementation of Individual Plan and all services provided to the individual in accordance to Developmental Disabilities Policy and HIPAA laws.
- Autism, 8%
Trained and supported direct care staff in goals developed to build skills and independence for individuals diagnosed with Autism.
- Intellectual Disabilities, 7%
Provided one-on-one services to individuals with developmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities and mental illness.
- Developmental Delays, 6%
Delivered developmental screenings to identify potential developmental delays due to health, vision, and hearing issues; determined appropriate recommendations.
- Support Services, 6%
Provided support services for at-risk families.
Most developmental specialists use their skills in "social work," "developmental disabilities," and "autism" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential developmental specialist responsibilities here:
Time-management skills. One of the key soft skills for a developmental specialist to have is time-management skills. You can see how this relates to what developmental specialists do because "social and human service assistants often work with many clients." Additionally, a developmental specialist resume shows how developmental specialists use time-management skills: "completed clinical documentation duties thoroughly, accurately, and on time. "
Organizational skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling developmental specialist duties is organizational skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "social and human service assistants must often complete lots of paperwork and work with many different clients." According to a developmental specialist resume, here's how developmental specialists can utilize organizational skills in their job responsibilities: "teach skills: organizational, time management, anger management, social, emotional, learning strategies, et.c. "
Problem-solving skills. developmental specialists are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to developmental specialist responsibilities, because "social and human service assistants help clients find solutions to their problems." A developmental specialist resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "coordinated fundraiser with various community agencies aligned new learning development and solutions with the company's strategic goals"
Compassion. A big part of what developmental specialists do relies on "compassion." You can see how essential it is to developmental specialist responsibilities because "social and human service assistants often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical developmental specialist tasks: "earned repeated commendations from supervisor and patients for providing high-quality, compassionate care. "
Interpersonal skills. Another crucial skill for a developmental specialist to carry out their responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." A big part of what developmental specialists relies on this skill, since "social and human service assistants must make their clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues." How this skill relates to developmental specialist duties can be seen in an example from a developmental specialist resume snippet: "assisted clients developing a social and interpersonal network through the twelve steps program and counseling, role-playing and family therapy. "
Communication skills. While "communication skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to developmental specialist responsibilities. Much of what a developmental specialist does relies on this skill, seeing as "social and human service assistants talk with clients about the challenges in their lives and assist them in getting help." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of developmental specialists: "arranged materials for lessons and activities (in areas of communication, mobility, self-care, and independent living). "
The three companies that hire the most developmental specialists are:
- May Institute8 developmental specialists jobs
- Bridgewell4 developmental specialists jobs
- HOPE Services Hawaii4 developmental specialists jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable developmental specialist resume templates
Build a professional developmental specialist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your developmental specialist resume.
Compare different developmental specialists
Developmental specialist vs. Family support worker
A family service worker is a social service agent who assesses the needs of family and promotes wellbeing, social justice, and human rights through governmental and social service agencies. Family service workers offer services that can include counseling and mediation to families that will help them navigate the protocols of the social system. They act as liaisons between families facing problems and different government organizations. Family service workers also ensure that families in need are getting the benefits they are entitled to, as well as help them access various community resources.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a developmental specialist are more likely to require skills like "developmental disabilities," "autism," "intellectual disabilities," and "developmental delays." On the other hand, a job as a family support worker requires skills like "foster care," "family support," "family services," and "behavior management." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Family support workers earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $40,316. On the other hand, developmental specialists are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $41,855.On average, family support workers reach similar levels of education than developmental specialists. Family support workers are 2.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Developmental specialist vs. Youth care specialist
Youth care specialists are social experts who coordinate programs for children and young people who need care while being away from their own families for some reason. These specialists are required to maintain a safe environment in the community so that children will feel safe, cared for, and nurture. They must lead various seminars for youths about topics such as job readiness, financial literacy, and higher education. They must also communicate the concerns and other important information to a child's assigned social worker and provide back-up support to case managers if needed.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, developmental specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "autism," "intellectual disabilities," "developmental delays," and "support services." Meanwhile, a youth care specialist has duties that require skills in areas such as "customer service," "excellent time management," "minor maintenance," and "direct care." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Youth care specialists may earn a lower salary than developmental specialists, but youth care specialists earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $39,391. On the other hand, developmental specialists receive higher pay in the professional industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,855.youth care specialists earn lower levels of education than developmental specialists in general. They're 7.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Developmental specialist vs. Child life specialist
The job of a child life specialist is to help children and their families navigate the process of injury, illness, trauma, hospitalization, and disability. These health care professionals perform varied duties that include helping children and their families better understand the procedure and process of their medical experience. They also work on developing strategies to lessen the trauma and improve their understanding of a diagnosis by providing support, guidance, and information to family members. They are also expected to work closely with other members of the health care team in coordinating and managing care.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a developmental specialist is likely to be skilled in "intellectual disabilities," "developmental delays," "children birth," and "intervention services," while a typical child life specialist is skilled in "patient care," "child life services," "ccls," and "therapeutic play."
Most child life specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to developmental specialists. For example, they're 3.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Developmental specialist vs. Social services specialist
A Social Services Specialist provides social services to children and adults in communities, facilities, institutions, or hospitals. They develop and implement specialized treatment programs.
Types of developmental specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
