Autism Spectrum Disorder Consultant

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Licensed in Special Education
2. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REPORTS TO: Director of Special Education

PRIMARY FUNCTION: Coordinates and facilitates the provision of appropriate educational services to students with autism spectrum disorder or similar symptoms, grades pre-K through 12.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary and length of contract to be established by the board of education.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Demonstrates knowledge of federal, state and local special education policies and procedures.
2. Assists in evaluation of students suspected of having autism spectrum disorder.
3. Writes and assists with the development of IEPs, FBAs and BIPs for students with autism spectrum disorder.
4. Participates in General Education Intervention (GEI) Team meetings.
5. Uses multidisciplinary diagnostic information to develop individual plans for students. This includes understanding and using case histories, educational records, psychological records, academic assessments, observation techniques, etc.
6. Works cooperatively with general education teachers, special education teachers, speech/language pathologists, related service personnel, school administration, outside services agencies, and parents.
7. Coordinates the planning and implementation of Autism team meetings.
8. Consults, co-teaches, and collaborates with teachers, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, para-educators, etc. regarding strategies and techniques for providing instruction for students with autism spectrum disorder.
9. Consults with parents regarding strategies and techniques for providing instruction for students with autism spectrum disorder.
10. Initiates, directs, and/or conducts staff development activities for school personnel.
11. Initiates, directs, and/or conducts training activities for parents.
12. Provides consultation services to students identified with autism spectrum disorder.
13. Coordinates the Autism team library and distribution of information to school personnel and parents.
14. Participates in and develops local, regional, and statewide trainings which will facilitate appropriate educational services for students with autism spectrum disorder.
15. Serves as a resource to decision-making groups (such as school-based committees, IEP teams, general education planning teams, etc.).

Education and/or Experience: Licensed in Special Education. 3-5 years experience working with or assessing students with Autism. Significant workshop, seminar, or course work pertaining to Autism.

Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from administrators, staff, parents, and the public. Ability to write reports and correspondence. Ability to plan, write, and evaluate alternative service plans based on individual needs of children. Ability to speak effectively and present information to groups of children, parents, employees of the school, and community groups.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, probability, statistics, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to work with basic budget information.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to potentially technical situations. Ability to establish priority ordering of tasks necessary to complete a project and convey these understandings and priorities to others. Ability to employ logical sequencing, trouble-shooting, problem solving and decision-making skills.

Other Skills and Abilities: Must have a working knowledge of computers and their capabilities. Must have a valid drivers license.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, to stand, to walk, to go up and down stairs, to operate foot and hand controls, to use a telephone and to write. Occasionally the employee must lift and/or move up to fifty (50) or more pounds. This position requires accurate perceiving of sound, near and far vision, depth perception, handling and working with educational materials and objects, and providing oral information. The employee may be required to assist with nonviolent crisis management (physical restraint). The employee is occasionally required to drive a car to provide personal transportation and to have general mobility.