Individual Aide

Position Summary

This Individual Aide/Paraprofessional position provides individualized support to an elementary-aged student with autism, helping the student successfully participate in the school environment. Working collaboratively with teachers, related service providers, and other school personnel, the aide supports the student's academic, social, emotional, behavioral, and daily living needs. Responsibilities include implementing individualized instructional and behavioral strategies, promoting communication and independence, supporting positive peer interactions, and ensuring a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment. The goal of this position is to help the student develop skills, build confidence, and achieve greater independence throughout the school day. The position is in a ACES/West Haven collaborative program located within a West Haven public school.

Assessment

• Assists teacher in maintaining an objective, ongoing assessment of learner progress
• Assists in assessing student progress with behavior management system

Management

• Adapts classroom activities, assignments and/or materials under the direction of the supervising teacher for the purpose of supporting and reinforcing classroom objectives and meeting IEP goals.
• Implements established behavior management system
• Assists in maintaining routine classroom procedures and preparation of materials as assigned
• Assists with student supervision and/or feeding including snacks and reinforcements
• Assists in student movement (including lifting) and maintains a knowledge of the proper technique for each student within assigned group
• Assists in maintaining safety and general welfare of assigned students
• Where necessary, assists in toileting and bathroom supervision
• Maintains confidentiality of student performances and records as prescribed by State and Federal law and ACES policy and procedures
• Charts and maintains student progress via collection of behavioral, vocational, and educational data
• Keeps current all required forms and documents

Communication

• Cooperates with all ACES personnel and consultants who provide input or services to students
• Communicates effectively with students and colleagues
• Communicates with supervising instructional staff, and a variety of health care professionals, and professional support personnel for the purpose of communicating progress or implementing IEP objectives.

Knowledge

• Maintains a current knowledge of each student’s special circumstances and needs as appropriate to the activity
• Maintains current knowledge of first aid procedures
• Knowledge and ability to safely support students’ physical needs such as lifting, repositioning, feeding, and toileting
• Knowledge and ability to maintain safety of self, staff, and students by participating and maintaining approved physical and psychological management techniques
• Actively participates in ongoing professional development opportunities

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

· Participates in trainings for the purpose of providing or receiving information and updating skills

· Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of

   the program

SKILLS REQUIRED:

· Ability to demonstrate regular attendance and punctuality

· Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in all situations and must be able to withhold confidential

   information

· Ability to work well with all levels of internal management, staff, and students as well as parents/guardians

· Ability to respond to changing situations in the workplace and exhibit flexibility

· Ability to perform multiple tasks concurrently under varying deadlines and adapt to changing work priorities

· Ability to work effectively as part of a team and with frequent interruptions

· Ability to set work priorities, take initiative, and work efficiently under minimum supervision

· Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing and the use of proper grammar and

    punctuation to write routine reports and correspondence

 · Ability to operate standard office equipment including using pertinent job-related software applications and

    preparing and maintaining accurate records

· Ability to exercise tact, good judgment, and initiative in dealing with students, faculty, and parents/guardians · Ability to communicate with diverse groups