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Developmental therapist vs developmental specialist

The differences between developmental therapists and developmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a developmental specialist has an average salary of $42,829, which is higher than the $38,005 average annual salary of a developmental therapist.

The top three skills for a developmental therapist include autism, early intervention and adaptive. The most important skills for a developmental specialist are social work, developmental disabilities, and autism.

Developmental therapist vs developmental specialist overview

Developmental TherapistDevelopmental Specialist
Yearly salary$38,005$42,829
Hourly rate$18.27$20.59
Growth rate14%12%
Number of jobs34,7247,776
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3843
Years of experience-12

Developmental therapist vs developmental specialist salary

Developmental therapists and developmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Developmental TherapistDevelopmental Specialist
Average salary$38,005$42,829
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $56,000Between $31,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-UMass Memorial Health
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between developmental therapist and developmental specialist education

There are a few differences between a developmental therapist and a developmental specialist in terms of educational background:

Developmental TherapistDevelopmental Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Developmental therapist vs developmental specialist demographics

Here are the differences between developmental therapists' and developmental specialists' demographics:

Developmental TherapistDevelopmental Specialist
Average age3843
Gender ratioMale, 16.6% Female, 83.4%Male, 19.1% Female, 80.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.4% White, 64.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage13%11%

Differences between developmental therapist and developmental specialist duties and responsibilities

Developmental therapist example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate working knowledge of community mental health services identify in the Medicaid guidelines and attain contractual outcomes within designate time frames.
  • Conduct developmental evaluations and behavior therapy in an early intervention program for children with autism and other developmental delays.
  • Experience working with children diagnose with autism and developmental disabilities who exhibit behavioral disorders.
  • Used positive reinforcement through ABA to help develop social and motor skills.
  • Provide ABA therapy to developmentally delay, primarily autistic children in the home, community, and the clinical setting
  • Conduct regular IFSP meetings to establish family centered outcomes and identify therapeutic strategies.
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Developmental specialist example responsibilities.

  • 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.
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Developmental therapist vs developmental specialist skills

Common developmental therapist skills
  • Autism, 10%
  • Early Intervention, 10%
  • Adaptive, 9%
  • Children Birth, 8%
  • IFSP, 6%
  • Natural Environment, 5%
Common developmental specialist skills
  • Social Work, 13%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Autism, 8%
  • Intellectual Disabilities, 7%
  • Developmental Delays, 6%
  • Support Services, 6%

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