Overview: The child in question is a sweet young girl who enjoys engaging in creative activities such as art and music. She is currently attending a remedial school (Grade 1 CAPS curriculum) in Parkview, JHB. We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate candidate to support her in her daily school routine and afternoon therapy schedule.

Main Purpose of the job: The child is able to communicate her needs, but requires significant support with emotional regulation, sensory regulation, and engagement in learning tasks. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting her to access learning, navigate her school day, and participate meaningfully in therapeutic and social environments. This includes accompanying her to school daily and to afternoon therapy sessions. This role requires a patient, attuned, and neuro-affirming approach, with a strong focus on structure, predictability, emotional co-regulation, and breaking tasks into manageable steps. She enjoys art and music, which can be used as meaningful engagement and regulation tools. Collaboration with her teachers and multidisciplinary team is necessary, to implement individualized strategies for her that are supportive of her own individual needs. A suitable candidate would be interested in growing their understanding of her neurodevelopmental profile and related differences and challenges. A special interest and passion in supporting neurodivergent individuals is of utmost importance.

Job Objectives:

·        Provide consistent one-on-one support throughout the school day

·        Support emotional and sensory regulation through co-regulation strategies and planned regulation breaks

·        Assist with breaking down academic and functional tasks into manageable steps

·        Facilitate engagement in learning activities within the Grade 1 CAPS curriculum

·        Support social interaction with peers where appropriate

·        Implement strategies and recommendations provided by therapists and educators

·        Use special interests (art and music) as tools for engagement, motivation, and regulation

·        Support transitions between activities and environments throughout the day

Requirements

·        Experience working with children, particularly neurodivergent children (autism experience essential)

·        Understanding of autism spectrum conditions is advantageous (incl. sensory regulation needs, and emotional co-regulation strategies)

·        Experience with or willingness to implement visual supports, structured routines, and task breakdown

·        A calm, patient, and consistent approach, with the ability to maintain boundaries in a supportive manner

·        Ability to collaborate closely with teachers, therapists, and a multidisciplinary team

·        Strong observational skills to identify signs of dysregulation and respond appropriately

·        Knowledge of childhood development advantageous

·        Teaching, occupational therapy assistant, psychology, or therapy-related background advantageous

·        Commitment to a long-term placement

o   Availability weekdays from approx. 07h30 to 16h00

·        No own transport required (candidate will not be responsible for driving)

·        Punctuality

Benefits

There will be an opportunity to be trained by the NDC Facilitation Academy when the role commences, and support sessions are provided for one month thereafter, working in collaboration with the wider multidisciplinary team based at the Neurodiversity Centre.