Autism Paraprofessional - Self-Contained Classroom

Operation Breakthrough; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Breakthrough Academy Autism Paraprofessional role located at Operation Breakthrough supports students with autism in a self-contained classroom. You will work with the special education teacher to implement IEP accommodations, reinforce skills, and support participation in all school activities.

The position requires patience, empathy, and the ability to respond calmly to regulatory and behavioral challenges while promoting independence and positive behavior strategies.

Qualifications

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to listen to and engage with students, families, and team members.
• Patience, empathy, and a genuine enjoyment of working with children.
• Ability to remain calm, supportive when students experience frustration or dysregulation.
• Belief that all students can learn and develop independence.
• Experience working with students with autism or related needs preferred.
• Willingness to learn evidence-based practices for autism support.
• Willingness to implement Conscious Discipline and positive behavior-support strategies.
• Follow individualized student plans, classroom routines, safety procedures, and teacher direction.
• Strong observation, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to collaborate with special education teachers, general education teachers, therapists, counselors, and other professionals.
• Experience working with diverse student populations.
• Para and Sub Certificate or willingness to acquire.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized support to students throughout the school day in the self-contained classroom and other school environments.
• Work closely with the special education teacher to implement individualized instruction, accommodations, modifications, and supports identified in each student's IEP.
• Reinforce academic, communication, social-emotional, behavioral, and functional skills taught by the special education teacher.
• Support students in participating in classroom lessons, small-group activities, independent work, and school activities.
• Use visual schedules, first/then supports, modeling, prompting, task analysis, and other strategies as directed by the teacher.
• Support students who use verbal communication, AAC devices, picture systems, gestures, or other forms of communication.
• Help students communicate their wants, needs, feelings, choices, and ideas.
• Support students in developing functional communication and increasing independence.
• Provide appropriate prompting and gradually reduce support as students develop independence and confidence.
• Support students in learning strategies for emotional and sensory regulation.
• Recognize signs of frustration, anxiety, sensory overload, or dysregulation and respond calmly using plans.
• Implement individualized positive behavior-support strategies under direction of the teacher and team.
• Maintain a predictable, structured, and supportive classroom environment promoting engagement.
• Assist with transitions between activities, people, classrooms, and settings.
• Assist students with personal care, toileting, feeding, hygiene, mobility when required.
• Follow safety procedures and individualized safety plans.
• Collect and document data related to participation, communication, academics, behavior, progress toward goals.
• Share observations and progress with the team.
• Help students develop relationships and participate in school community activities.
• Encourage student choices, problem-solving, and increasing responsibility for learning.
• Prepare instructional materials, visual supports, and sensory resources.
• Assist students in using technology and communication tools.
• Maintain organized classrooms with defined spaces and routines.
• Learn and use Conscious Discipline to support positive relationships and regulation.
• Maintain confidentiality and treat students and families with dignity.
• Participate in professional development and collaborate with the team.

Skills

Communication

Patience

Empathy

Listening & engagement

Observation

Teamwork

Following plans

Behavior support

Diversity experience

Conscious Discipline

Education

Para and Sub Certificate

Tools

AAC devices

Job description

Breakthrough Academy Autism Paraprofessional role located at Operation Breakthrough supports students with autism in a self-contained classroom. You will work with the special education teacher to implement IEP accommodations, reinforce skills, and support participation in all school activities.

The position requires patience, empathy, and the ability to respond calmly to regulatory and behavioral challenges while promoting independence and positive behavior strategies.