Autism Consultant

Position

Description:

Autism Consultant Position Summary

The Autism Consultant is responsible for assisting special education teachers in the identification, evaluation, program planning and coordination of services for students birth-21 years of age with Autism and other communicative disorders within the least restrictive environment. These duties include ongoing staff training, consultation and collaboration with member district staff, administrators, general education teachers, related service providers, paraprofessionals and parents.

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 an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Provide input on curriculum and instruction development, selection, and implementation as requested.
• Assist in the development and procurement of accessible instructional materials, as needed.
• Provide input on curriculum and instruction development, selection, and implementation as requested.
• Assist in the development and procurement of accessible instructional materials, as needed.

• Provide leadership and training in instructional programs, social skills, and interaction strategies for students with ASD, their peers and adults across various settings.
• Guide staff in the creation of special education evaluation plans that equip teams to identify infants, toddlers, and students who have ASD and their educational needs.
• Develop, implement, and train staff in record keeping and data collection systems to measure student progress and attainment levels.
• Train and consult with teachers and paraprofessionals on effective strategies, communication systems, environment adaptations and their possible relationship to managing behaviors of students with ASD.
• Support staff in the development of IFSPs and IEPs that are designed to meet the unique communicative and behavioral needs of students with ASD.
• Consult with special education staff regarding students who are not responding to academic, behavioral, or functional skill interventions.
• Promote collaboration between general education and special education staff regarding accommodations and modifications that may help students to reach their IEP goals and access the general curriculum.
• Provide expertise as part of IFSP and IEP teams for students with significant and unique ASD‑related needs.
• Ensure processes are being followed that support district placement decisions for students transitioning to and from Federal Setting III and IV programs in order to ensure that students remain in their least restrictive environment.
• Assist in developing/coordinating student reintegration plans, including Behavior Support Plans (BSPs), in order to increase the likelihood that transitioning students will function effectively in the mainstream school setting.
• Assist staff with designing learning environments with physical modifications/accommodations to address individual needs of students with ASD.
• Collaborate and provide consultation services regarding assistive technology, accessibility, and secondary transition.
• Communicate with outside individuals and agency staff.

• Engage in professional learning opportunities aligned with RRSEC goals and district‑specific needs to inform RRSEC professional learning opportunities related to ASD programming.
• Facilitate professional learning using effective adult learning strategies on a variety of ASD‑related topics, including assessment, instruction, inclusion, accessibility, assistive technology, secondary transition, and program evaluation.
• Provide on‑site coaching and support to enhance implementation of best practices in ASD.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Minimum:
  Bachelor's Degree in Education or Related Field.
• Preferred:
  Master's, Education Specialist or Doctorate in Special Education or Related Field.
• Preferred:
  Three or more years working in a related…