Occupational Therapist for Neurodivergent Children (...

Job Description About Us: We are starting a new, scholarship-based school dedicated to providing specialized education for neurodivergent children, particularly those with moderate to severe Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our schoolu2019s first class will initially include up to five kindergarten-aged students (5-7 years old) supported by a collaborative, interdisciplinary team comprised of: u25cf Head Teacher u25cf Assistant Teachers u25cf Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) u25cf Occupational Therapist (OT; current open position) u25cf Head of School u25cf Clinical Care Coordinator Our school is founded on a commitment to providing individualized, high-quality education and support for neurodivergent children. We are aiming to foster a nurturing, inclusive learning environment with a 1:1 student-to-adult ratio so that we may best serve our students' individual needs. Although we will not be accredited in our first year, we are dedicated to establishing a strong foundation for future accreditation and long-term growth. Position Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated and dedicated Occupational Therapist (OT) to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing, planning, and implementing therapeutic interventions that enhance the functional independence and participation of our minimally verbal autistic students across all school environments. The OT will address a wide range of developmental and sensory processing needs to support students' ability to learn, play, 1 socialize, and perform daily living activities. Our goal is to create a nurturing and supportive environment that provides individualized treatment and education for our students. Responsibilities: u25cf Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy evaluations using standardized and non-standardized assessments to identify students' strengths and challenges related to fine motor skills, gross motor skills, visual-motor integration, sensory processing, self-regulation, daily living skills (ADLs/IADLs), and play skills. u25cf Interpret assessment results and develop data-driven, individualized treatment plans aligned with students' individualized education plans. u25cf Regularly monitor student progress and adjust treatment plans as needed. u25cf Design and implement individualized and group occupational therapy interventions that are evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and sensitive to the unique needs of minimally verbal children with autism. u25cf Address sensory processing differences by implementing sensory diets, environmental modifications, and regulation strategies to improve focus, participation, and self-regulation. u25cf Facilitate the development of fine motor skills for activities such as writing, cutting, manipulating objects, and self-care. u25cf Promote gross motor development, coordination, and motor planning for participation in play, physical education, and navigating the school environment. u25cf Support the development of daily living skills (e.g., dressing, feeding, hygiene) and instrumental daily living skills relevant to the school setting. u25cf Collaborate with the speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and other team members to integrate communication goals into OT interventions, utilizing AAC devices and strategies as appropriate. u25cf Integrate visual supports, routines, and predictable structures into therapy sessions. u25cf Adapt and modify tasks and environments to promote student success and engagement. u25cf Work collaboratively with Clinical Care Coordinator, Head Teacher, Assistant Teacher, Aides, SLPs, behavior analysts, parents, and other team members to create a cohesive and integrated approach to student support. u25cf Provide consultation and training to school staff on sensory strategies, adaptive equipment, fine motor development, and environmental modifications to support student learning and behavior in the classroom. u25cf Actively participate in individualized student meetings, providing expert input on student goals, progress, and recommendations. u25cf Communicate regularly with parents and caregivers regarding student progress, home programming, and strategies for carryover. u25cf Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of student assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and communication. u25cf Ensure all services are provided in compliance with state and federal regulations (IDEA), school policies, and professional ethical guidelines. 2 u25cf Remain current with best practices, research, and advancements in occupational therapy, autism spectrum disorder, sensory integration, and AAC. u25cf Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to learn more about how we collect, keep, and process your private information, please review Insight Global's Workforce Privacy Policy: Skills and Requirements : u25cf Master's or Doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program. u25cf Current and valid state licensure as an Occupational Therapist in California. u25cf NBCOT certification required. u25cf Minimum of five (5) years of experience working as an Occupational Therapist, with significant experience in a school setting and/or with children with autism spectrum disorder. u25cf Demonstrated expertise and passion for working with minimally verbal or non-speaking children with autism. u25cf Strong understanding of sensory processing challenges and evidence-based sensory integration strategies. u25cf Familiarity with various assessment tools relevant to the school-aged population with autism. u25cf Experience with and knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems and strategies (e.g., PECS, core vocabulary communication boards, high-tech AAC devices). u25cf Patience, empathy, creativity, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of children with autism. u25cf Experience or knowledge in assessing and treating feeding/swallowing disorders. u25cf Ability to conduct thorough assessments for students with ASD, utilizing both standardized and criterion-referenced tools, as well as informal observations and parent/teacher interviews. u25cf Proficiency in collecting and analyzing data to monitor student progress, adjust intervention strategies, and report on outcomes. u25cf Ability to respond calmly and effectively in crisis situations with appropriate training. u25cf Exceptional ability to collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, including educators, SLPs, behavioral specialists, clinical care coordinators, psychologists, and administrators. u25cf Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with parents and caregivers, provide training, and involve families in the therapeutic process. u25cf Strong advocate for the communication needs of children with severe ASD. u25cf Commitment to ongoing professional development. u25cf Ability to perform physical activities such as sitting, standing, walking, running, reaching, lifting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, and pulling.

Created: 2025-10-04