Autism Paraprofessional; Breakthrough Academy

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2 days ago Requisition

Autism Paraprofessional – Self-Contained Classroom

At Breakthrough Academy, a new Missouri Charter School located at Operation Breakthrough, Autism Paraprofessionals are essential members of the team supporting students with autism in a self-contained classroom setting. Working closely with the special education teacher and other members of the student's educational team, the Autism Paraprofessional provides individualized support that helps students access instruction, communicate their needs, develop independence, regulate their emotions and sensory systems, build relationships, and participate successfully in the school community.

This position requires someone who is patient, compassionate, observant, flexible, and committed to understanding each student's strengths, communication style, interests, and individual needs. The Autism Paraprofessional helps create a structured, predictable, and nurturing classroom environment where students feel safe, valued, and empowered to learn.

STATUS:Non-exempt, full-time

TITLE:Breakthrough Academy Autism Paraprofessional

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to listen to and engage with students, families, and team members
• Patience, empathy, and a genuine enjoyment of working with children
• Ability to remain calm, supportive, and consistent when students experience frustration, dysregulation, or challenging moments
• Belief that all students can learn, grow, communicate, and develop greater independence
• Experience working with students with autism or other developmental, behavioral, or learning needs preferred
• Willingness to learn and implement evidence-based practices for supporting students with autism
• Willingness to implement Conscious Discipline and other positive behavior-support strategies
• Ability to follow individualized student plans, classroom routines, safety procedures, and teacher direction
• Strong observation, problem-solving, and teamwork skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with special education teachers, general education teachers, therapists, counselors, and other professionals
• Experience working with a diverse population of students
• Para and Sub Certificate or willingness to acquire

• Provide individualized support to students throughout the school day in the self-contained classroom and other school environments.
• Work closely with the special education teacher to implement individualized instruction, accommodations, modifications, and supports identified in each student's IEP.
• Reinforce academic, communication, social-emotional, behavioral, and functional skills taught by the special education teacher.
• Support students in participating in classroom lessons, small-group activities, independent work, specials, recess, lunch, field trips, and other school activities.
• Use visual schedules, first/then supports, modeling, prompting, task analysis, and other strategies as directed by the special education teacher.
• Support students who use verbal communication, AAC devices, picture systems, gestures, or other forms of communication.
• Help students communicate their wants, needs, feelings, choices, and ideas.
• Support students in developing functional communication and increasing independence.
• Provide appropriate prompting and gradually reduce support as students develop greater independence and confidence.
• Support students in learning and using strategies for emotional and sensory regulation.
• Recognize signs of frustration, anxiety, sensory overload, or dysregulation and respond calmly using strategies outlined in the student's plan.
• Implement individualized positive behavior-support strategies under the direction of the special education teacher and educational team.
• Maintain a predictable, structured, and supportive classroom environment that promotes student engagement and success.
• Support students with transitions between activities, people, classrooms, and school settings.
• Assist students with personal care, toileting, feeding, hygiene, mobility, and other daily living needs when required and consistent with the student's needs, training, and school procedures.
• Follow established safety procedures and individualized student safety plans, including procedures related to elopement, unsafe behaviors, or other identified safety…