Adaptive Skills Trainer

SOAR is a specialized program of The Association of Behavior Consultants. We offer adaptive skills training, social-sexual education, behavior services, and counseling to people with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. This program is a resource for neurodivergent people who need skills-based adaptive skills training, express an interest in having a relationship, are vulnerable to exploitation, have experienced social/sexual trauma, and/or may demonstrate unsafe behavior. 

Adaptive Skills Trainers teach, roleplay, and generalize skills with clients who have intellectual/developmental disabilities during 1:1 sessions and outings. ASTs meet with supervisors and interdisciplinary teams to communicate about the case, solve problems, update documentation, and create individualized materials for clients. ASTs work independently in the client’s homes and community. AST staff has the opportunity to grow into SRE positions (sexuality and relationship educator) to teach basic, intermediate, and advanced SRE topics, including consent, finding a partner, breaking up, STIs, using birth control, and more.

The AST shall possess the following minimum qualifications:

1. A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis, Community Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related field
2. Minimum 1 yrs. experience with people with I/DD
3. Preferred: 1 year instructional experience
4. Preferred: experience facilitating groups

Skills

• Required:
  • Ability to take feedback
  • Interpersonal communication skills
  • Independence with fieldwork, managing paperwork, and managing time effectively
  • Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams
  • Carrying supplies for sessions (up to 20lbs), bend, twist, sit, and stand
• Preferred:
  • Prior knowledge and use of HIPAA guidelines
  • Crisis management skills
  • Proficiency in Google Workspace
  • Spanish-speaking

Duties and Responsibilities of Adaptive Skills Trainer (AST):

1. Builds rapport with clients and staff
2. Manages 1:1 sessions with clients
3. Models skills and explain strategies to caregivers
4. Facilitates group education and discussion
5. Directly implements instructional strategies and teaching program curriculum to increase consumer/parent knowledge and skills by using a plan established by supervisors
6. Reports observations, concerned, crises, progress on goals, and all other related client information to interdisciplinary team members
7. Assists with individualizing materials for clients
8. Meets with supervisors and clinical staff on an ongoing schedule, as directed
9. Identifies steps to achieve PCT Plan objectives and outcomes
10. Maintains data on consumer progress and attendance
11. Provides crisis management support to clients in difficult situations
12. All other duties and responsibilities assigned