Autism Consultant

**Position Summary and Scope of Service**:
The Autism Consultant provides services in accordance with the “Mission” and “Values” of St.Amant, policies and procedures of the assigned Program(s), external legislation and regulatory bodies and all relevant professional standards of practice.

As an active team member in the Autism Programs, the Autism Consultant participates in continuous quality improvement activities, including the development, modification and implementation of service and program goals, objectives, policies, procedures and standards.

The Autism Consultant works within the context of the interdisciplinary team to implement direct, consultative or mediated models of service. The Autism Consultant supports a client-centred approach to service or family centered practice when applicable. The Autism Consultant promotes processes which contribute to the development of skills and competencies of clients and their caregivers about applied behaviour analysis intervention.

The Autism Consultant performs all duties professionally, ethically and with integrity, and takes personal responsibility for continuous learning to promote current knowledge and best practices.

The Autism Consultant is familiar with social policy issues, trends, and practices in the field, as well as with needs, gaps and opportunities which may improve the lives of persons with disabilities, and promote social justice, equity and accessibility.

**Qualifications**:
**Educational**:

- Master's degree in Psychology from a recognized university with specialization in Applied Behaviour Analysis

**Professional**:

- Fluency in the French language is an asset

**Personal**:

- Ability to identify high risk situations and respond appropriately
- Possesses excellent written and verbal skills
- Ability to effectively provide education and training in public forums
- Is positive, energetic, self-directed and client focused
- Ability to serve as a model in a cooperative teamwork model, conflict resolution and process improvement
- Ability to work harmoniously and contribute to effective employee relationships
- Ability to work flexible hours to meet needs of clients
- Possess a valid Manitoba driver's license and a vehicle, and ability to travel throughout the province
- Possesses the physical ability to perform the duties of the position

**Clinical**:

- Current knowledge of theory and practice of Applied Behaviour Analysis
- Minimum of one year experience designing and implementing Autism programs for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder
- Knowledge of the structure of services for people with disabilities in Manitoba
- Efficient in the design and implementation of behavioural interventions
- Knowledgeable and proficient with a variety of standardized assessment tools, functional analysis, behavioural assessment techniques, and in interpretation of assessment results
- Ability to create data collection systems and analyze the information obtained
- Possess a comprehensive knowledge of behaviour analysis theory and practice relevant to the support, assessment, and treatment of children with developmental disabilities
- Knowledgeable of literature in this area, of the history of support and treatment of the ASD population, philosophies, and practices concerning their care, education, work and lifestyles
- Ability to understand, lead and practice interdisciplinary teamwork in order to provide services in the clinical, educational or living milieu of the person within ASD
- Ability to case-manage and define a service plan with individuals and caregivers

**Duties and Responsibilities**

**Duties include**:

- Work with each child's family and support network to design and implement a comprehensive ABA program plan that will meet the global needs of the child, taking specific responsibility for coordinating the planning and delivery of the ABA part of the plan.
- Increase adaptive behavior and decrease challenging behaviors by conducting behavioural assessments and then designing, monitoring, implementing and evaluating relevant programs and plans, making data-based treatment decisions concerning the well-being of the child in the program.
- Participate in reviews or IEP team meetings to ensure effective communication necessary to achieve a consistent, strong person-centered focus and follow up with ABA interventions.
- Provide consultative and mediated services to clients through families, autism tutors and autism senior tutors, teachers and educational assistants and provide regular feedback to them on their performance.
- Assist program managers in planning and implementing appropriate orientation and on-going training for autism senior tutors and autism tutors in order to support the development of their ABA training skills.
- Identify trends in services or changing client needs and recommend related improvement strategies.
- Make home visits or off-site visits when necessary to contact clients who would otherwise