ABA Tutor; Middle School

REPORTS TO

Building Principal/Administrative designee (evaluates and supervises) & Town-wide Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA/special educator - supervises)

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) tutors are behavior development professionals requiring formal education in education, psychology, behavior analysis or a related field of study. ABA tutors study how behavior is influenced by environmental and other factors using reward systems to reinforce positive, learned behaviors. School based ABA tutors work with special education team members, parents, Board Certified Behavior Analysts and other clinicians to support students in accessing their Individualized Education Program goals.

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) tutors apply the principles of behavior analysis to treat students with disabilities who demonstrate significant behaviors, including social skills, reading, math, communication, personal self-care and work skills.
• ABA tutors are required to implement educational and behavioral programs and maintain and graph treatment data.
• When staffing students 1:1 or in a group, the ABA Tutor is required to maintain 100% visual surveillance and implement all bolting and lost child policies with 100% fidelity.
• ABA tutors are expected to work with students who demonstrate very challenging and/or acting out behaviors and provide hands‑on support for activities of daily living such as toileting and self‑care to increase positive behaviors and reduce interfering behaviors through reinforcement procedures.
• ABA tutors work one‑on‑one, in small groups, in classroom and community settings, including the student’s home, with students and possibly parents.
• Morning or afternoon home/services during extended school hours may be part of the expectation.
• ABA tutors use programs devised by behavioral specialists (BCBA/special educator) and highly structured treatment programs that are geared toward the specific student’s needs.
• ABA tutors use the principles of behavior analysis to help students improve social, play, language and academic skills while reducing interfering behaviors, which may include highly aggressive behavior such as biting, hitting or pinching; student behaviors may also include significant self‑injurious behavior such as head banging, skin picking and gouging.
• ABA tutors are skilled in strategies that reinforce positive behaviors and know how to intervene when students exhibit undesirable behaviors.
• ABA tutors continually evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment program, making necessary changes to help students learn new skills and behaviors more effectively under the supervision of the BCBA.

ABA tutors are required to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in psychology or related fields, or significant specific training on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis provided by an educational or training institution. Training should focus on principles and procedures of behavioral analysis, along with courses in observational methods, behavioral applications and developmental disability treatment. Additionally, ABA tutors must participate in ongoing job‑based competency training via in‑service professional development.

Licensure is not mandatory for ABA therapists who work directly with students in school settings at this time. ABA tutors must be currently trained in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) for both active and passive intervention with students in crisis. If not certified prior to employment, they must be willing to receive CPI training from WPS. If certification has lapsed, they must agree to attend continued training/ongoing re‑certification.

• Provide direct ABA instruction to children in school, home and community settings.
• Manage a flexible schedule while providing services in both school, home and community settings.
• Implement behavior intervention strategies and program changes as decided upon in team meetings and/or as directed by the behavior specialist/special educator.
• Work effectively as a member of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate excellent time management, communication…