QSAC is a New York City and Long Island based nonprofit that supports children and adults with autism, together with their families, in achieving greater independence, realizing their future potential, and contributing to their communities in a meaningful way by offering person-centered services using the evidence-based principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to improve their communication, socialization, academic, vocational, and functional skills.
Working effectively together
HMA
DSP~PARENTS~SUPERVISORS ONE SHARED MISSION
This workshop focused on accountability, empathy, respect, and a shared sense of purpose, strengthening relationships with both parents and coworkers. DSPs were grouped into teams and participated in role-playing scenarios designed to enhance effective communication skills.
By stepping into the role of a parent and engaging with fellow DSPs from that perspective, participants gained a deeper understanding of the challenges parents face. Many parents are unable to be present with their children at all times due to work, family responsibilities, and other life demands. This experience highlighted the emotional difficulty of not always being able to see or support their child, reinforcing the reality that, above all, they are parents who care deeply about their children’s well-being.
Through this exercise, DSPs were able to build stronger empathy and develop more effective ways to communicate with both parents and one another, ultimately improving collaboration and support.
"There is a person in this room who cannot speak for themselves today.They cannot tell you what they need from you, or ask you to stop arguing, or explain how it feels when the people who love them are not on the same page, but they feel it and they deserve better than our pride."
— Dr. Hassan M. Abdulhaqq
Whole-Room Dialogue
Mixed groups of parents, DSPs, and supervisors — stay in your cross-role groups
Each group answers: 'What is ONE thing each role in this room can commit to doing differently?'
Write it down. DSPs write to parents. Parents write to DSPs. Supervisors write to both.
Groups share commitments aloud — facilitator records them on a shared board
The group votes on 3 commitments that become QSAC's Partnership Pledge going forward
Cross-Role Empathy TEAM
Form groups of 3: one parent, one DSP, one supervisor (or role-play if needed)
Each person shares: 'The hardest part of MY role in supporting this person is...'
The other two LISTEN without responding — then reflect back what they heard
Discuss: What surprised you? What do you now understand that you didn't before?
Full group: Each trio shares ONE insight that shifted their perspective
