09/18/2026
As Direct Support Professionals Week comes to a close, we want to give a heartfelt shout-out to the professionals who play an essential role in the lives of people with Prader-Willi syndrome.
We appreciate hearing from Nicole Tingley, an experienced DSP in the PWS community, in her blog for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association USA.
She says: "The individuals we serve have taught me more about strength, patience, acceptance, and finding joy than I could ever put into words."
Thank you to all DSPs for your dedication, compassion and commitment to the PWS community!
At PWSA | USA, we know firsthand how essential these professionals are to the lives of children and adults living with Prader-Willi syndrome. DSPs are the backbone of care. They provide more than day-to-day supervision, they ensure dignity, safety, independence, and opportunity for those they support. Working with individuals who have PWS requires a unique combination of compassion, patience, vigilance, and skill. From carefully managing food security, to navigating challenging behaviors, to offering encouragement and joy in daily activities, DSPs make an extraordinary difference every single day.
We encourage our families to celebrate the DSPs in their lives, whether with a thank you note, gift card, flowers, or some other meaningful gesture. Let them know how much you appreciate them!
Nicole Tingley, an experienced DSP in the PWS community, wrote a beautiful blog on what this work means to her. You can read this blog at https://www.pwsausa.org/what-being-a-dsp-means-to-me/