Developmental Participation Skills (DPS) Online Training

Course Description

This is a five-hour online training course on the Developmental Participation Skills (DPS) assessment, an observational and reflective tool to assess infant readiness and participation. The DPS supports attuned, developmentally supportive care across neonatal and pediatric clinical settings. Through insightful videos, the learner will have an opportunity to explore myths related to readiness and develop competency in using the Developmental Participation Skills Assessment. This observational instrument has the potential to guide practice by inviting the clinician to initiate care based upon the baby’s inherent readiness and participation capabilities for a positive caregiving interaction. The Developmental Participation Skills Assessment tool supports the caregiver’s mindful presence and invites opportunity to not only attune to the baby, but also to reflect upon care, thereby enhancing the quality-of-care experience for both the baby, family, and clinician. The Developmental Participation Skills Assessment has shown content validity and has the potential to be a clinically useful tool for all hospitalized babies.

Target Audience

OT, SLP, PT, RN, MD, and Neonatal professionals 

Level

Intermediate 

Overall Course Objectives

1. Identify readiness for self and the baby by utilizing this observation and reflection tool, Developmental Participation Skills Assessment (DPS).
2. Justify the Developmental Participation Skills Assessment as a tool to reduce toxic stress and create safe, supportive nurturing experiences.
3. Score readiness and infant participation in care using the Developmental Participation Skills assessment on at least one infant through video examples.

Instructional Method

Lecture, videos, case studies, handouts, workbooks, and reflection time. Learning assessment and course evaluation follow the course.

Course Completion Requirements

The learner must view the entire webinar, complete the course evaluation, and achieve a score of at least 80% on the post-webinar learning assessment to receive education credit. Login and logout times are recorded and documented. Following course completion, learners receive a CE certificate and a zip file containing the necessary information to submit for education credit to their individual state, where required.  The zip file will include a course bibliography. Physical therapists are responsible for knowing and adhering to their state’s CE deadlines, rules, and regulations.

Module 1: Foundational Mindset: Intention, Presence, and Empowered Participation

Module 1 Objectives

1. Construct a personal intention for bedside presence that will guide your work with hospitalized babies and their families.​
2. Identify 3 simple, repeatable practices that support attuned caregiving.​
3. Define the Developmental Participation Skills Assessment and its use.

Module 2: Expanding Readiness: Honoring Communication

Module 2 Objectives

1. Identify signs of readiness outlined in the Readiness for Caregiving Interaction portion of the Developmental Participation Skills Assessment. ​
2. Differentiate between readiness for caregiving and the need to protect sleep using the Readiness for Caregiving Interaction portion of the Developmental Participation Skills Assessment.​
3. Recall readiness-based care decisions utilizing bedside scenarios.​

Module 3: Empowering Participation: Engaging Together

Module 3 Objectives

1. Classify infant behaviors that reflect active participation during caregiving.
2. Define the Participation During Caregiving section of the Developmental Participation Skills Assessment.​

Module 4: Reflective Practice: Putting it all Together

Module 4 Objectives

1. Recognize the impact of caregiving on infant regulation and participation.​
2. Relate guided self-reflection to bringing loving connection to the bedside care of babies.

Course Workbooks Included

To support reflection and real-world application, this course includes four guided workbooks, one for each module. Each workbook is designed to deepen learning, reinforce key concepts, and help clinicians translate observation into meaningful clinical insight.

The workbooks include:

• Reflection prompts to support mindful observation and attuned care
• Guided note-taking aligned with module videos and key concepts
• Practice opportunities for applying the Developmental Participation Skills (DPS) framework
• Space for personal insights and clinical integration

These companion workbooks are intentionally structured to move learners from awareness to application, reinforcing the reflective nature of the DPS assessment and supporting confident use in clinical settings.

Speaker Bios

Kristy Fuller, OTR/L, CNT, CLC is the co-developer of the Developmental Participation Skills (DPS) assessment and a nationally recognized leader in neonatal occupational therapy. She specializes in early eating experiences and is passionate about advancing evidence-based practices in neonatal and pediatric care. Kristy has developed online education programs and has extensive experience mentoring clinicians and consulting in developmentally supportive care. Her certifications include Certified Neonatal Therapist (CNT), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP), Prechtl’s Method on General Movement Assessment, and Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT). Kristy is also a published co-author and research contributor focused on improving outcomes for preterm infants. Her professional mission is to promote zero separation between babies and families and support professionals in fostering joyful mealtime experiences from birth. 

Tara DeWolfe, PT, DPT, CNT, CLC is the co-developer of the Developmental Participation Skills (DPS) assessment and a pediatric physical therapist with specialized expertise in early intervention and developmental care. Tara brings years of experience in both hospital and community-based settings, supporting infants, toddlers, and families through evidence-based, family-centered care. She has created online training programs that promote excellence in neonatal and pediatric therapy. Tara holds certifications in the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP), Prechtl’s Method on General Movement Assessment, and is a Certified Neonatal Therapist (CNT) and Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). She has earned the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) Developmental Care Specialist Designation and holds an Early Intervention Credential. A co-author and contributor to research in trauma-informed infant care, Tara is dedicated to empowering families and educating professionals to foster attuned, lifelong connections.

Disclosures

Kristy Fuller, OTR/L, CNT, CLC
Author of the Developmental Skills Participation (DPS) assessment. No financial compensation received from the DPS.

Tara DeWolfe, PT, DPT, CNT, CLC
Author of the Developmental Skills Participation (DPS) assessment. No financial compensation received from the DPS.

Content Disclosure
This presentation will focus exclusively on the Developmental Participation Skills Assessment and will not include information on similar tools.

Conflict of Interest
There is no conflict of interest for anyone with the ability to control content for this activity.

Agenda

Module 1 Agenda
00:00 – 05:00 min: Introduction to module and objectives
05:00 – 15:00 min: Are you ready? Preparing yourself first
15:00 – 20:00 min: Workbook activity
20:00 – 30:00 min: Setting an intention for attuned caregiving
30:00 – 40:00 min: Your best self
40:00 – 50:00 min: Empowering participation: A long-term gain
50:00 – 65:00 min: Introduction to the Developmental Participation Skills (DPS) Tool
65:00 – 75:00 min: Reflective prompt

Module 2 Agenda
00:00 – 05:00 min: Overview of module and objectives
05:00 – 20:00 min: Protecting sleep vs. readiness
20:00 – 40:00 min: Readiness scoring
40:00 – 60:00 min: Discussion: Expanding readiness
60:00 – 75:00 min: Integration & Transition

Module 3 Agenda
00:00 – 05:00 min: Overview of module and objectives
10:00 – 20:00 min: Section 1: Autonomic participation and guidelines for assessment
20:00 – 25:00 min: Guided practice
25:00 – 35:00 min: Section 2: Motor participation overview and guidelines for assessment
35:00 – 40:00 min: Guided practice
40:00 – 45:00 min: Section 3: State participation overview and guidelines for assessment
45:00 – 50:00 Guided practice
50:00 – 60:00 min:  Section 4: Regulation Participation overview and guidelines for assessment 60:00 – 65:00 min: Guided practice
65:00 – 75:00 min: Integration and transition, summary of participation section of the DPS

Module 4 Agenda
00:00 – 05:00 min: Overview of module and objectives
05:00 – 15:00 min: Scoring overview for participation during caregiving, calculating and interpreting DPS scores
15:00 – 35:00 min: Scoring, instructor shares model scoring and rationale
35:00 – 40:00 min: Guided practice scoring
40:00 – 50:00 min: Following caregiving, settled verses unsettled, and guided practice
50:00 – 60:00 min: Reflective practice with video example
60:00 – 70:00 min: Integration, summary and frequently asked questions
70:00 – 75:00 min: Learning assessment

Registration information

Members: Click the “Login” button at the top of the screen to verify your Membership and purchase this course at the discounted Member rate.  After logging into your account, click Buy Now.

Non-Members: You may purchase this course as a non-member by clicking the “Buy Now” button above.   Join NANT to receive this course at the discounted Member rate.

For ADA accommodations, please contact NANT Customer Service at (866) 999-5524 for more information.

Speech-language pathologists may update their ASHA CE reporting preference at any time by accessing their NANT Hub profile.

Cancellation Policy
Click HERE to review NANT’s Course Cancellation Policy.

Continuing Education Information 

AOTA CEUs

National Association of Neonatal Therapists® (NANT) is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 15312. This Distance Learning-Independent Course is offered at 0.5 CEUs (Intermediate level, Occupational Therapy Service Delivery & Professional Issues). AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures.

This course is approved for 5.0 contact hours.

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ASHA CEUs

Learners must complete the entire course in order to receive ASHA CEUs. No partial credit awarded. ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products or clinical procedures.
ASHA CE Registry users: NANT will submit your ASHA CEU credit to ASHA on your behalf. ASHA CEUs may take up to 100 days to appear on your ASHA Transcript.

Non-ASHA CE Registry users: Maintain your course records and please keep your registry status current in your NANT account. Update your NANT account with your ASHA number if your registry status changes. NANT is not responsible for tracking your registry usage.

PT CE Credit

This activity is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider 2801058TX and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas. This activity is offered for 5.0 CCUs for PTs and PTAs.

The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE.

NANT is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider of physical therapy and physical therapist assistant continuing education.

Questions regarding CE credit should be directed to the National Association of Neonatal Therapists at [email protected] or (866) 999-5524.