Shadow Teacher/ ABA Therapist / Learning Support Assistant

Confidential Company; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 78,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Company in Abu Dhabi is seeking an ABA Therapist / Shadow Teacher to provide one-on-one support to a 7-year-old with ASD inside a school setting. You will help the child participate in classroom activities, follow daily schedules, and develop social and communication skills.

You will work with teachers, parents, and therapists to support learning, independence, and inclusion while maintaining safety, dignity, and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Special Education, Psychology, ABA, or related field.
• Experience working with children with ASD is required.
• RBT certification or equivalent is advantageous.
• Ability to work with teachers, parents and therapists.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one support to the child throughout the school day, including lessons, breaks, meals, and transitions.
• Assist the child in understanding classroom instructions, routines and school rules.
• Implement ABA-based strategies and individualized plans as directed by the supervising therapist.
• Support communication, social interaction, attention, and engagement in learning activities.
• Help the child interact appropriately with staff and classmates.
• Encourage positive behavior, emotional regulation, and calm responses to changes in routines.
• Identify potential triggers and apply preventive and reinforcement strategies.
• Adapt instructions and activities to the child’s needs in coordination with the teacher.
• Provide prompts and gradually encourage independence; reduce reliance on adult support.
• Assist during transitions, assemblies, group activities, PE, and school events.
• Monitor and document behavior, participation, and progress.
• Communicate regularly with parents, teachers, and therapists regarding progress.
• Maintain safety, dignity, and confidentiality in line with policies.
• Perform other duties related to the child’s participation and development.

Skills

Patience

Empathy

Communication

Observation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Special Education

Diploma in related field

Tools

RBT Certification

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a patient, compassionate, and dedicated ABA Therapist / Shadow Teacher to provide one-on-one support to a 7-year-old child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) within a school environment. The successful candidate will assist the child in participating in classroom activities, following the school's daily schedule, developing social and communication skills, and managing behavioral challenges.

The role involves working closely with classroom teachers, parents, and relevant therapists to support the child's learning, development, independence, and successful inclusion in the school environment.

• Provide one-on-one support to the child throughout the school day, including classroom lessons, breaks, meals, and transitions between activities.

• Assist the child in understanding and following classroom instructions, routines, and school rules.

• Implement ABA-based strategies and individualized behavior support plans, as directed by the supervising therapist or relevant professional.

• Support the child's communication, social interaction, attention, and engagement in learning activities.

• Help the child interact appropriately with teachers, classmates, and other school staff.

• Encourage positive behavior, emotional regulation, and appropriate responses to changes in routine or challenging situations.

• Identify potential behavioral triggers and apply appropriate preventive and positive reinforcement strategies.

• Adapt instructions and learning activities to suit the child's individual needs and abilities, in coordination with the classroom teacher.

• Provide appropriate prompts and guidance while gradually encouraging independence and reducing unnecessary reliance on adult support.

• Assist the child during school transitions, assemblies, group activities, physical education, and other school events.

• Monitor and document the child's behavior, participation, learning progress, and developmental milestones.

• Communicate regularly with parents, classroom teachers, and therapists regarding the child's progress and areas requiring additional support.

• Maintain the child's safety, dignity, and well-being while respecting school policies and confidentiality requirements.

• Perform other relevant duties related to the child's educational participation and developmental needs.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Special Education, Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Early Childhood Education, or a related field is preferred.

• Previous experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is required.

• Experience as an ABA Therapist, Shadow Teacher, Learning Support Assistant, or Special Needs Assistant is preferred.

• Knowledge of ABA principles, positive reinforcement, behavior management, and individualized learning strategies.

• Ability to support children with communication difficulties, attention challenges, sensory needs, and behavioral difficulties.

• Strong patience, empathy, observation skills, and the ability to remain calm and consistent.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with teachers, parents, and therapists.

• Ability to maintain progress records and follow individualized support plans.

• Relevant ABA training or certification, such as Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), is an advantage.

• Willingness to work daily from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM and comply with the school's policies and procedures.

Preferred Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate must be caring, reliable, proactive, and committed to helping children with special educational needs thrive in a mainstream school environment. The candidate must be capable of building a positive relationship with the child, supporting classroom inclusion, managing behavioral challenges appropriately, and promoting independence while ensuring the child's safety and well-being.