Do you love kids? Are you interested in helping to support/improving access for those with disabilities?
Our 10yo autistic and non speaking child needs a consistent, persistent, creative and energetic person to hang out with him. He needs support with communication, hygiene, going to the bathroom, and staying safe. Health complications at present are underscoring the need for all of this support now more than ever. For the right person, I don't think it would be an exaggeration to say that this could be a life changing opportunity to connect with and learn from someone who is incredibly bright, funny, charming, energetic and keeps it 100, in his way.
For anyone who has heard about "spellers" or people who communicate by pointing to letters on a laminated board or stencil, or by typing on a keyboard, this kid is one of them! We would love for him to practice and develop his communication with more people, so it would be our expectation that anyone hanging out with our son would eventually become actively engaged in learning how to be a CRP (communication regulation partner) by taking some introductory coursework and observing our child working with us as well as other providers.
For experienced SpEd teachers, paras, IA's, RBT's, respite caregivers...this job may or may not be for you. We value the experience that these important jobs bring, and also want to underscore the strong possibility of needing to *unlearn* a lot of what you may have been taught or picked up during your career. Our son may not have expressive speech or reliable motor control, but he does do grade level work and beyond and we do not tend to frame his disability as a cognitive or intellectual one or as something that requires a behavioral based approach. We talk to him like a 10 year-old. Our son cannot initiate many activities, though once he feels comfortable with someone, he will be ready to join in for a variety of familiar physical activities and - when properly supported and given some opportunities to practice - will pick up on new activities as well.
Possible activities include: doing math and ELA homework, practicing piano, learning how to play basketball and soccer, going for walks and jogs, going to the gym, the climbing gym, yoga, painting, maybe even learning to play some video games but that will likely require lots of practice...fine motor and ocular motor do not come easy for this kid!
More than anything we need weekday afternoon support, from around 2:45pm - 7pm, though for the right candidate we have some flexibility for sure. Occasional weeknights and Saturday evenings would also be helpful. Please be available for at least 10 hours per week, but do not necessarily expect to work more than 15 hours, especially in the beginning as everyone is getting to know each other. Added bonus if you happen to be a dog person - we have an older, stubborn dog who forms quite the dynamic duo with our son during dog walks. Maybe that job responsibility comes after the first few months...
This is a Regional Center funded position, so before beginning to work a regular schedule, we do expect that someone will be able to take care of a fingerprint and background check with our FMS (fiscal management service company) as well as a CPR cert.
Please tell us more about yourself in your email and attach a current resume. Thank you for reading and for applying if interested!
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.