Autism Specialist

Caddo Parish Schools Job Description
Job Title: Autism Specialist
Prepared By: Nadalie Thomas
Prepared Date: January 20, 2005
Approved By: Jan Holliday
Approved Date: January 24, 2005
SUMMARY
Enables students to derive the fullest possible educational experience from school by ensuring provision of a full range of services to children who have autism, their families, their teachers and support personnel.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Develops performance objectives and prepares a professional growth plan supporting department and school system goals.
• Works with Pupil Appraisal services to assist evaluating children suspected of having the exceptionality of autism.
• Interprets and explains evaluation results to parents, teachers, principals and other staff involved in the education of children with autism.
• Implements and/or assists teachers and other school personnel in the design and implementation of educational and behavioral interventions for children who have autism.
• Participates in due process proceedings as necessary.
• Confers with parents, teachers, principals, and other parish professional staff whenever necessary on matters relative to assessment, behavior strategies, and learning styles of children who are autistic, and teaching techniques for children who are autistic.
• Provides in-classroom assistance to teachers for children who have autism.
• Conducts workshops for teachers and the para-professionals who serve children who are autistic.
• Trains and supports teachers of children who are autistic.
• Attends IEPs of children who have autism as necessary.
• Works with personnel of community health and social services agencies.
• Maintains accurate case records on all clients regarding referrals, evaluations, and any other services provided by the SDE autistic consultant in accordance with the requirements of the parish, state, and federal laws, regulations, and/or policies.
• Attends staff, professional, and interagency meetings.
• Keeps abreast of new developments in autism and keeps other appropriate school personnel informed.
• Completes all reports required by the school system or State Department of Education.
• Makes progress toward completing objectives in the professional growth plan.
• Prepares a self-evaluation as described in the Performance Evaluation Plan.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
MINIMUM CRITERIA
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• A master's degree in psychology, education, social work, or speech pathology with certification by the State Department of Education as qualified examiner or professional certification and licensure in occupational therapy, physical therapy, or nursing will be accepted.
• Demonstrated expertise in evaluating children with autism.
• Ability to design and implement educational and behavioral intervention programs for children who have autism.
• CEU's of an additional 60 hours of training in Autism and related topics are required.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Ability to relate to and communicate with exceptional children in an accepting and non-biased manner.
• Ability to relate to and verbally communicate with all professional and non-professional contacts on the level of each individual's ability and level of understanding.
• Ability to effectively communicate in written reports and correspondence information relative to the individual case.
• Ability to plan and organize work assigned in an efficient manner.
• Ability to treat all information in a confidential manner.
• Ability to maintain stability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with Center Staff, schools, agencies, and the public
• Neat, well groomed appearance.

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Employee acknowledges that he/she is required to maintain a high standard of professional conduct. Breach of said professional conduct includes but is not limited to: neglect of duty, dishonesty, engagement in acts that are contrary to CPSB policy, unlawful activities, or any other conduct which is seriously prejudicial to the school system.
CHAIN OF SUPERVISION
Special Education Related Service Facilitator
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
191 days
Or as asssigned