Autism Support Worker [Full-time Contract]

What We Do

Woodview Mental Health & Autism Services offers a broad spectrum of services for children, youth, adults and their families facing mental health, autism, and developmental challenges. We work in direct partnership with children, youth, adults, and their families, as well as with schools and social service agencies, to ensure families receive the support they need—when and where they need it.

“We are committed to providing individualized, client-centred services and supports based on our values of Accountability, Collaboration, Compassion, Excellence, Inclusion, Innovation —and our commitment to staff.”

Our mission is to provide inclusive and person-centered mental health, autism, and developmental services and supports in partnership with children, youth, adults, and families.

Employees Receive

• Meaningful work that inspires hope and strengthens lives
• A positive, supportive culture with flexibility where possible
• A commitment to workplace wellness, ongoing training, and professional development opportunities

The Role

The Autism Support Worker assists in facilitating learning and development of a variety of skills through specialized educational programs for clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a variety of milieus. The role supports clients in residential settings and in individual and group formats to enhance social skills, life skills, communication skills, self-regulatory behaviour, school performance, and independent functioning. Skills are taught using ABA principles through 1:1 instruction, structured and informal group learning opportunities, vocational activities, and recreation/leisure activities across settings including vocational, independent and/or supported living/residential situations, groups, and in the community.

Key Responsibilities (May Include but are not limited to):

• Client service & skill development: Serve clients in a professional and caring manner; actively engage clients in age-appropriate skills/activities to increase independence; teach skills using ABA principles through 1:1, group, vocational, recreation/leisure, and community-based opportunities.
• Daily living & personal care supports: Provide training and support for daily living activities including shopping, public transit, personal hygiene, meal planning, budgeting, banking, cleaning chores, and cooking.
• Treatment plan & programming implementation (added requirement): Follow each client’s specific treatment plan and programming (e.g., ISP targets, schedules, behaviour protocols) as assigned by the

Program Manager.

• Case management & community coordination: Assist with case management; communicate with community agencies (e.g., ODSP) as needed; monitor behaviours and communicate concerns/learning needs to the Case Manager/Program Manager.
• Group planning & activities: Assist with planning/implementing weekly Ministry-funded groups and/or lead non-ministry funded FFS groups meeting twice per month; plan/assist with programs, groups, special activities and community outings (including camps/trips of varying lengths) in collaboration with the Program Manager.
• One-to-one support & problem solving: Provide one-to-one support and assist with problem solving; act as a role model to support problem solving, self-esteem, and social skills.
• Schedules & medication: Oversee implementation of client personal schedules; document and distribute client medication.
• Transportation & driving: Transport individuals/groups in agency vehicles or personal vehicles as required.
• Behaviour protocols & safety: Implement established behaviour protocols as determined by the Program Manager, which may include redirection, blocking, calming procedures, and physical restraints as required by Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training to safely manage challenging behaviours.
• Family support & advocacy: Communicate with families/parents/individuals to provide information/support and receive feedback; upon request, act as an advocate to community resources (e.g., schools, employers).
• Team & agency support: Provide peer debriefing; respond to telephone inquiries; represent and promote the agency in the community; participate in supervision and evaluation of program effectiveness; follow Centre philosophies, legislation, and Ministry directives.
• Residential / facilities / superintendent duties: May take on superintendent duties within a group of townhouses (responding to calls, identifying issues, taking corrective actions); maintain residential facilities for Ministry/safety compliance; purchase supplies for programs/residence.
• Overnight support: Complete sleeping night shifts on a rotational basis to provide support and ensure client safety.

Qualifications:

• Diploma or Degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Behavioural Sciences, Psychology, Human Services, or equivalent education/experience and professional training appropriate to the client population.
• Ability to interpret and comply with Agency policies/procedures and Ministry directives (with assistance of Program Manager).
• Strong interpersonal skills; excellent oral and written communication; good judgment and initiative; ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated good health; certificate indicating absence of communicable disease required at time of employment.
• Valid G driver’s licence (required); F licence preferred; ability/capacity to drive agency vehicles unless an accommodation is approved by the Program Director.
• Required training: First Aid/CPR, ASD-NVCI.
• Vulnerable Sector Screen required prior to start

Additional Information

• Physical transfers: Ability to complete physical transfers as required.
• Swimming: Willing/able to swim to support clients where included in programming.
• Physical therapy supports: Support clients at physical therapy appointments and assist with prescribed exercises as directed within the treatment plan/programming.

We thank all candidates but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Woodview welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including individuals within employment equity categories of women, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and aboriginal persons, individuals of diverse gender and sexual orientation and all groups protected by the Human Rights Code. Woodview is committed to employment equity and diversity and a positive and supportive environment.

As part of our recruitment process, we may use automated or AI-supported tools to assist with tasks such as application sorting, scheduling, and identifying relevant experience. Hiring decisions are made by people, and we regularly review our processes to support fairness and reduce bias.