Special Education Life Skills Aide

Primary Purpose

Assist the certified special education teacher and other assigned professional staff in meeting the instructional, behavioral, communication, functional, physical, health-related, and personal-care needs of students with disabilities. Support implementation of each student's Individualized Education Program (IEP), including accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, behavior supports, self-help skills, and teacher-directed instruction. Collect and record student data as directed. Work within the scope of educational aide certification and under the supervision of appropriately certified professional staff, including a certified special education teacher when performing IEP-related duties.

Education/Certification:

• High school diploma or hold a General Educational Development (GED) certificate
• Have met formal academic assessment, associate's degree, or two years of study at an institution of higher learning
• Valid Texas educational aide certificate

• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with students with a wide range of disabilities and support needs.
• Ability to implement teacher-directed instructional activities, accommodations, modifications, behavior supports, and IEP-required services with fidelity.
• Ability to collect and record objective academic, behavioral, functional, and other student data using systems established by professional staff.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions, student-specific plans, safety procedures, and confidentiality requirements.
• Ability to assist with adaptive equipment, mobility, positioning, feeding, toileting, hygiene, and other personal-care needs when required by the assignment and student plan.
• Ability to monitor and supervise students that may elope.
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with teachers, related-service providers, administrators, families, and other staff while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to remain calm, use sound judgment, and follow approved procedures during behavioral, medical, or safety-related situations.

• Two (2) years of experience working with children.
• Experience supporting students with disabilities, behavioral needs, significant support needs, or personal-care needs is preferred.

• Work under the direction of the certified teacher to support teacher-developed instruction and implementation of student IEPs.
• Assist individual students and groups of students with teacher-assigned instructional activities, practice, reteaching, reinforcement, and skill development.
• Implement accommodations, modifications, supplementary aids and services, assistive supports, and other IEP-required supports as directed by certified professional staff.
• Prepare and organize teacher-designed instructional materials and IEP-required materials for student use.
• Support student access to the general education curriculum and inclusive settings while promoting meaningful participation with peers.
• Provide support outside the general education classroom only when consistent with the student's IEP and staff direction.
• Assist students with communication systems, adaptive materials, assistive technology, visual supports, and other specialized tools as trained and directed.
• Collect and accurately record academic, behavioral, communication, functional, and IEP-goal data using criteria and systems established by certified staff.

• Assist students with mobility and physical access, which may include transferring to and from wheelchairs or adaptive equipment, lifting, positioning, ambulation, and use of mobility devices, in accordance with training and student-specific procedures.
• Assist with personal-care and self-help needs when required, including feeding, toileting, diapering, hygiene, dressing, and other activities.
• Recognize and promptly report changes or concerns related to a student's medical, physical, communication, sensory, behavioral, or emotional needs to appropriate professional staff.
• Follow student-specific health, safety, emergency, seizure, allergy, feeding, positioning, or other plans as trained and directed by appropriate district personnel.
• Assist students during transitions and throughout the school day, including classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playground, arrival/dismissal, transportation, community-based instruction, and other school-sponsored settings as assigned.

• Maintain confidentiality of student education records, disability information, health information, behavior information, and other protected information in accordance with law and district procedures.
• Communicate regularly with the supervising teacher regarding student needs, progress observations, behavioral concerns, injuries, or changes that may affect instruction or safety.
• Collaborate professionally with general and special…