We employ many teachers aides across our six schools. Many had some prior experience working with or caring for children with a disability. Due to the schooling approach taken for children with autism, we usually have one aide across every two classes.

Teachers aides are responsible to the Principal of the school for the execution of the following duties. They are also expected to drive the school bus as required and will be given assistance in terms of time and reimbursement of fees to acquire a bus licence if this is required.

1. To assist teachers in the implementation of individual and group programs.

Teachers may direct aides to carry out program/group activities with one or more students on or off the school site.

Duties may include:

• Implementation of programs for individual students or groups of students as directed by teacher, including toilet training and self care programs.
• Collection of data for evaluation purposes as directed by teacher.
• Preparation of areas and materials for teaching activities
• Cleaning up after activities, maintaining classroom tidiness and order.
• Basic first aid if qualified and appointed to role of first aide officer.
• Understanding and implementation of any behaviour management programs in place for individual pupils at all times and in all locations
• Assisting the teacher to implement programs conducted off the school site including community access programs.
• Travel with students, independent of direct teacher supervision if required.
• Driving the school mini bus on excursions.
• Use of own vehicle to transport students on programs out of the school as negotiated with the school Principal

2. To undertake supervision of pupils in the playground and the school generally

Duties may include:

• Supervision of students in the playground or during meal times before school, & during morning tea and lunch breaks.
• Understanding and application of behaviour management programs in place for all children in the school.
• Movement of students to and from conveyance vehicles before and after school if allocated this duty.

3. To be involved in integration and community access programmes for individual students.

Duties may include:

• Working in satellite classes in other school settings on a regular basis.
  
• Taking children to and from integration programs in other schools or pre schools.
  
• Acting as liaison and representative of the Autistic Association at all times when off site and on duty.
  
• Implementation of programs in off site settings as directed by teachers.
  
• Implementation of ongoing behaviour management and communication programs with students at all times off site in cooperation with teachers

4. To participate as a team member of the school staff

Duties may include:

• Undertaking reasonable requests from the school principal and teaching staff to purchase items from shops, photocopy teaching materials, minor maintenance and care of equipment.
  
• Participation in staff meetings when held in school hours and when held before or after school if possible. If unable to attend staff meeting held out of school hours to be responsible for reading minutes and any other relevant material from the meeting.
  
• To be involved in the development and implementation of strategic planning for the school and in other Association planning and policy development activities, as required in school hours and when possible out of school hours.
  
• To develop specific areas of responsibility in discussion with the principal and teaching staff, for example; computer programs, swimming programs, craft programs, lost clothing, taking the roll, and act as a coordinator and resource person in that area.

5. To promote one's own professional development.

Duties may include:

• To be aware of and to implement Association policies.
  
• To develop a knowledge of autism, its characteristics and management.
  
• To participate in staff professional in-service programs.
  
• To pursue personal professional development to any or all aspects of professional role.