Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Specialist

Position Title: Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Specialist

Location: Fremont, CA 

Pay Range: $29 - $34 / hourly (depending on qualifications and experience)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Working Schedule: Mondays - Fridays (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)

About Us

Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is a Bay Area non-profit organization founded in 1996 and focused on helping individuals with special needs and their families find love, hope, respect, and support through integrated community involvement. 

Program Overview

The Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Program provides 1:1 individualized services to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities. The program aims to enhance existing skills, remediate deficits, and promote independence, social participation, and self-determination.

Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Program services enhance an individual’s existing skills. They also may remedy an individual’s skill deficits in communication, social function, or other related skill areas, including, but not limited to, the following categories: (a) safety skills; (b) skills needed to access the community; (c) hygiene and dressing skills; (d) skills needed to access technology; (e) skills needed to buy and prepare food; (f) competency training; (g) housekeeping skills; (h) toileting skills; (i) feeding skills (including addressing picky eating, food refusal, and sensory-based issues with food); (j) staff and personnel training; (k) communication; (l) challenging behavior; (m) sleep and sleep hygiene; (n) choice making; and (o) specialty counseling. 

All AST staff comply with CDSS, DDS, HIPAA, and Title 17 regulations, maintain documentation, and ensure dignity, safety, and client rights.

Job Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Role Focus: Implements adaptive skills training plans, Direct adaptive skills instruction, ISP support

Behavioral Support:

• Lead implementation of BIPs and ABA strategies


• Mentor BMT staff in behavior support and crisis prevention


• Participate in behavioral assessments and intervention planning


• Implement behavior intervention plans (BIPs) as designed by supervisors


• Apply ABA, CPI, and environmental modifications to reduce challenging behaviors


• Teach functional alternatives to inappropriate behavior

Adaptive Skills Training & Direct Care:

• Lead structured classes and community activities


• Adapt curriculum and materials for individualized instruction


• Monitor skill acquisition for multiple clients and mentor BMTs in delivery


• Support daily living skills (ADLs), communication, social, mobility, and community skills


• Assist with feeding, toileting, hygiene, dressing, and meal preparation


• Prepare and rotate teaching materials to maintain engagement


• Support clients in community outings, recreation, and physical activities

Data Collection & Documentation:

• Review BMT data for accuracy and completeness


• Prepare ISP progress reports and monthly check-ins


• Collect skill acquisition, behavior, and progress data


• Complete Daily Progress Reports, incident reports, and monthly check-ins


• Maintain confidentiality per HIPAA and CDSS regulations
  

Collaboration & Communication:

• Participate actively in ISP meetings and parent check-ins


• Collaborate with AST Professionals, BCBAs, families, and staff to ensure program fidelity


• Communicate with supervisors, families, and team members regarding client needs, safety, and progress


• Participate in staff meetings, ISP meetings, and parent check-ins
  

Safety & Emergency Procedures:

• Supervise BMTs to ensure proper application of CPI, First Aid, CPR, and emergency protocols


• Maintain a safe environment in all settings


• Apply CPI, First Aid, CPR, and other emergency protocols


• Support client safety during community and home activities
  

Administrative Duties:

• Assist in staff training, onboarding, and program compliance tracking


• Participate in program evaluations and quality improvement initiatives


• Complete HR paperwork (timekeeping, mileage, training)


• Maintain certifications and compliance documentation

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Nursing, Social Work, Applied Behavior Analysis, or behavior medicine, speech and language, rehabilitation, marriage and family therapy, or a comparable degree in a human services related field.


• Has 1 year experience working with persons with developmental disabilities


• RBT experience preferred, but not required

Professional Skills:

• English proficiency; Mandarin/Cantonese a plus


• Strong communication, collaboration, and documentation skills


• Critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management
  

Certifications & Compliance:

• CPR and First Aid certification (obtain within 1 month of employment)


• CPI training (obtain within 3 months if not current)


• CDSS/DOJ fingerprint clearance


• TB test and health screening


• Valid driver’s license with clean driving record
  

Personal Traits:

• Patience, reliability, compassion, professionalism


• Ability to maintain dignity and respect for clients


• Flexibility to work in home, community, and program settings
  

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk, hike, assist clients with transfers, feeding, toileting, and hygiene


• Ability to transport clients in personal or company vehicles

Company-Wide Hiring Requirements

• Must pass CDSS and DOJ fingerprint-based background clearance prior to employment


• Must pass a health screening and TB test prior to employment


• Must possess a valid driver's license and have a clean driving record


• Obtain valid CPR and First Aid Certificate within one month of employment (employer-covered)
  


• Use of mask when recommended/required by the local Public Health Department.
  

Employee Benefits:

• Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)


• Life/AD&D Insurance


• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) for Wellness & Fitness


• Paid Time Off (PTO)


• Paid Sick Leave (PSL)


• 401(k) & company matching


• Holiday Paid Days


• Sign-On Bonus


• Referral Bonus Program