Functional Learning Facilitator | Playful learning for children with autism

Dcode Moi; Estoril; Presencial; EUR 12 000 - 18 000; Tempo integral

Vantagens oferecidas por esta oferta de emprego

Small team support

Curriculum guidance

Impactful work in autism

Sea-side space

Flexible hours

Playful atmosphere

Resumo da oferta

6 Sentidos is a small, warm team by the sea, a functional learning center where children with autism can simply be themselves, blending play with learning and turning moments into communication, thinking skills and autonomy. We’re looking for shadow support in school and a playful animator for children aged 6–12.

The role requires practical, in-person experience with autistic children who need high support, and native Portuguese or English with the other language.

Qualificações

• Experience with autistic children who need high support.
• Backgrounds such as special education or related fields are welcome.
• Native Portuguese or English and comfortable in the other language.

Responsabilidades

• Co-create and deliver a living, child-led curriculum
• Turn developmental goals into playful, real-life experiences
• Support regulation, communication (including AAC), thinking skills and daily life skills throughout the day
• Adapt constantly, in the moment, according to the child’s body, energy and interest
• Work closely with the team and co-build the child’s individual plan
• Help shape weekly plans, prepare materials and keep the space ready

Conhecimentos

In-person experience with autistic儿童

Portuguese language

English language

Descrição da oferta de emprego

We’re a small, warm team in a 1-year old centre by the sea. At 6 Sentidos we create a space where children with autism can simply be themselves.

We mix learning with fun and play every day. We follow the child’s lead, use their interests, and turn real moments into communication, thinking skills and autonomy.

We’re not a school. We’re not a clinic. We’re a functional learning center and a community of families.

When a child arrives, we don’t look for “what needs to be fixed.”

We look at who they already are, what lights them up, and what the next step can be.

Open roles

Shadow support in school and playful animator

For children aged 6–12, many of whom are non-verbal or minimally verbal

This is important to understand before applying

Autism is a broad spectrum.

Some children are verbal and relatively regulated. That is not the main profile we work with.

Our children need a lot of sensory input, movement and active adult presence just to feel safe in their body before any learning can begin. Some run in the space, can scream or communicate through behaviour.

They are with us for several hours a day. This is not a short clinic session and not a standard lesson.

We work on the whole child through play:

movement and sensory regulation as the foundation, then communication, thinking skills, music, art, reading, writing, hands-on making, and independent life skills.

We need people who already know how to stay grounded and respond in these moments. We can train you in our curriculum and way of working. We cannot train someone who never worked with children with this level of needs.

What you’ll do

• Co-create and deliver a living, child-led curriculum
• Turn developmental goals into playful, real-life experiences
• Support regulation, communication (including AAC), thinking skills and daily life skills throughout the day
• Adapt constantly, in the moment, according to the child’s body, energy and interest
• Work closely with the team and co-build the child’s individual plan
• Help shape weekly plans, prepare materials and keep the space ready

Who we’re looking for

This role is for people who already have practical, in-person experience with autistic children who need high support, not only verbal or mostly regulated children, and not only short sessions.

We are especially interested in people with backgrounds such as:

• Special education or free-time education
• Shadow teacher / personal assistant / intervention work with autistic children

If yo have personal interest in working with children with Autism given your personal history and have family experience.

You will also need:

• A calm, grounded presence and the ability to co-regulate
• Comfort with children who communicate through movement, sound, behaviour or silence
• Experience delivering activities yourself, not only planning them
• Willingness to work several hours a day with the same children
• Native Portuguese or English, and comfortable in the other

What we offer

• A small team that co-creates and supports each other
• Guidance in our approach and curriculum
• The chance to help build a different way of supporting autistic children
• Work in a sensory space by the sea
• Flexible hours (between 8:30 and 18:30 on weekdays + occasional Saturdays)
• A playful atmosphere where your presence and ideas matter

This is not an easy job.

It can stretch you and sometimes feel intense.

It is also deeply rewarding.