Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Specialist

Friends of Children with Special Needs•Fremont, CA

3d•$29 - $34

About The Position

Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is a Bay Area non-profit organization founded in 1996 and focused on helping individuals with special needs and their families find love, hope, respect, and support through integrated community involvement. The Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Program provides 1:1 individualized services to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities. The program aims to enhance existing skills, remediate deficits, and promote independence, social participation, and self-determination. Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Program services enhance an individual’s existing skills. They also may remedy an individual’s skill deficits in communication, social function, or other related skill areas, including, but not limited to, the following categories: (a) safety skills; (b) skills needed to access the community; (c) hygiene and dressing skills; (d) skills needed to access technology; (e) skills needed to buy and prepare food; (f) competency training; (g) housekeeping skills; (h) toileting skills; (i) feeding skills (including addressing picky eating, food refusal, and sensory-based issues with food); (j) staff and personnel training; (k) communication; (l) challenging behavior; (m) sleep and sleep hygiene; (n) choice making; and (o) specialty counseling. All AST staff comply with CDSS, DDS, HIPAA, and Title 17 regulations, maintain documentation, and ensure dignity, safety, and client rights.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Nursing, Social Work, Applied Behavior Analysis, or behavior medicine, speech and language, rehabilitation, marriage and family therapy, or a comparable degree in a human services related field.
Has 1 year experience working with persons with developmental disabilities
English proficiency; Mandarin/Cantonese a plus
Strong communication, collaboration, and documentation skills
Critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management
CPR and First Aid certification (obtain within 1 month of employment)
CPI training (obtain within 3 months if not current)
CDSS/DOJ fingerprint clearance
TB test and health screening
Valid driver’s license with clean driving record
Patience, reliability, compassion, professionalism
Ability to maintain dignity and respect for clients
Flexibility to work in home, community, and program settings
Ability to walk, hike, assist clients with transfers, feeding, toileting, and hygiene
Ability to transport clients in personal or company vehicles
Must pass CDSS and DOJ fingerprint-based background clearance prior to employment
Must pass a health screening and TB test prior to employment
Must possess a valid driver's license and have a clean driving record
Obtain valid CPR and First Aid Certificate within one month of employment (employer-covered)
Use of mask when recommended/required by the local Public Health Department.

Nice To Haves

RBT experience preferred, but not required
Mandarin/Cantonese a plus

Responsibilities

Implement adaptive skills training plans
Direct adaptive skills instruction
ISP support
Lead implementation of BIPs and ABA strategies
Mentor BMT staff in behavior support and crisis prevention
Participate in behavioral assessments and intervention planning
Implement behavior intervention plans (BIPs) as designed by supervisors
Apply ABA, CPI, and environmental modifications to reduce challenging behaviors
Teach functional alternatives to inappropriate behavior
Lead structured classes and community activities
Adapt curriculum and materials for individualized instruction
Monitor skill acquisition for multiple clients and mentor BMTs in delivery
Support daily living skills (ADLs), communication, social, mobility, and community skills
Assist with feeding, toileting, hygiene, dressing, and meal preparation
Prepare and rotate teaching materials to maintain engagement
Support clients in community outings, recreation, and physical activities
Review BMT data for accuracy and completeness
Prepare ISP progress reports and monthly check-ins
Collect skill acquisition, behavior, and progress data
Complete Daily Progress Reports, incident reports, and monthly check-ins
Maintain confidentiality per HIPAA and CDSS regulations
Participate actively in ISP meetings and parent check-ins
Collaborate with AST Professionals, BCBAs, families, and staff to ensure program fidelity
Communicate with supervisors, families, and team members regarding client needs, safety, and progress
Participate in staff meetings, ISP meetings, and parent check-ins
Supervise BMTs to ensure proper application of CPI, First Aid, CPR, and emergency protocols
Maintain a safe environment in all settings
Apply CPI, First Aid, CPR, and other emergency protocols
Support client safety during community and home activities
Assist in staff training, onboarding, and program compliance tracking
Participate in program evaluations and quality improvement initiatives
Complete HR paperwork (timekeeping, mileage, training)
Maintain certifications and compliance documentation