IDEA Special Education Autism Specialist

Stride, Inc.•Denton, TX

About The Position

The Special Education Autism Specialist serves as the primary coordinator of family engagement and support for students receiving Special Instruction in services due to autism eligibility. This role is responsible for ensuring that families understand, access, and effectively participate in autism‑specific programming in alignment with IEP requirements, service delivery standards, and district expectations. The specialist provides structured, consistent, and proactive family support by acting as the central point of contact between families, campus staff, autism service providers (Example ABA Therapists), and administration. This position focuses on maintaining continuity of communication, strengthening family capacity to support student needs, and ensuring fidelity of Autism Supplement implementation through coordinated collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Experience in Autism supplement development and virtual in-home training.
Experience supporting Special Education students or families.
Knowledge of Special Education processes, timelines, and IDEA requirements.
Strong interpersonal communication skills with families and staff.
Strong organizational skills and documentation accuracy.
Ability to create family‑friendly materials, videos, or training resources.
Understanding transition, CCMR, and postsecondary planning for SPED students.
Commitment to confidentiality, professionalism, and family‑centered practices.
Ability to coach and support adult learners.

Nice To Haves

Valid Special Education teaching certification.
CPI or other de‑escalation/communication training.
Training related to family engagement or transition planning is a plus.
Degrees in Special Education, Social Work, Counseling, Education, or related field.
Experience in family engagement, school communication, or program coordination preferred.
Experience supporting Special Education programs (e.g., transition, credit recovery, case management, AU) is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Special Education representative in ARD to provide information related to IDEA, procedural safeguards, and available Special Education supports as part of the district’s Child Find responsibilities.
Provide follow‑up to unique Special Education family concerns and route questions to appropriate case managers, counselors, or service providers.
Supporting compliance with Autism Supplement service requirements.
Facilitating family participation in autism‑specific planning, reviews, and decision‑making.
Reducing barriers to engagement through clear guidance, follow‑up, and coordination through whole school staff education.
Work in tandem with the Behavior Support Specialist in creating and supporting BIP’s for student services due to autism eligibility.
Participate in ARD/IEP meetings when autism supplements are required.
Collaborate in MTSS meetings to review data and recommend interventions.
Ensure behavior plans align with IDEA and district procedures.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation.
Collaborate with case managers, transition coaches, special education and general education administration teams.
Create SPED‑specific guides, videos, and resource materials to strengthen family understanding of: IEP process, Advocacy strategies, State testing accommodations, Available SPED supports and tutorials, Transition and CCMR supports.
Use district engagement or communication systems to track Special Education family outreach and follow‑up.
Monitor participation trends in SPED programs.
Provide monthly summaries to leadership.