Revolutionizing the Direct Support Professional Landscape
The Role of Humanoid Robotics and its Impact on Disability Support
Having been “in the system” for a few years now I’ve become more and more convinced it’s ripe for change and innovation. Finding staff to support my son has been incredibly difficult. It’s why I made the move from self-direction after a year of what felt to me like a failure. I lost track of how many staff interviews I had set up, only to be ghosted. And I was offering $25/hour, which may not be “life-changing but is a pretty good wage for Maryland. Imagine if this were to become a thing of the past.
In recent years, technological advancements have been reshaping various industries, and the healthcare sector is no exception. One of the most intriguing and potentially transformative developments is the integration of humanoid robotics into the role of Direct Support Professionals. These advanced machines, designed with the same features as a human body (arms, hands, legs, feet, etc), hold the promise of revolutionizing direct care, particularly in the realm of disability support. However, as with any technological innovation, the idea of humanoid robotics replacing direct support professionals for individuals with disabilities doesn’t come without some risk.
When I listened to this interview Peter Diamandis did with Brett Adcock it clicked. I don’t know if I agree with the timelines, I’m not familiar enough with the technology to make an informed opinion. But I do believe I will see robots replacing Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in my lifetime. And, if done right, I don’t feel it’s a bad thing. TLDR, being a DSP can be exhausting and thankless. Medicaid limits how much they can earn, and right now, there is no career path. Robots don’t have “bad days”, get tired, or find a better-paying job.
To the best of my knowledge, there are no humanoid robots being used today. However, robots have been around for a long time. Much like Artificial Intelligence (AI), you’ve likely seen or even used one. Perhaps the easiest, and least threatening, example I can point to is the Roomba which came out over 20 years ago. Heck, Siri (AI) came out way back in 2011.
If you’ve read this far and you’re excited, great. If however, you’re thinking to yourself I would never want this for my kid, I would ask you to please reconsider. After all, none of us are going to live forever. The two concerns I hear voiced over and over again are “Who is going to take care of my child when I’m gone?” and “Nobody will care for my child the way I do.”.
