Direct Support Provider- Life Skills

PURPOSE & SCOPE : Direct Support Providers (DSPs) responsibilities may include teaching and fostering the acquisition, retention, or improvement of skills and abilities to prepare and support an individual for work and / or community participation and could not do so without this direct support. This service originates form the home of the individual and is generally delivered in the community.

Role of Direct Support Providers

• Provide one-on-one direct support which may include job training, transportation, assistance with activities of daily living, and participation in recreational activities.
• Assist in developing and maintaining friendships of choice and skills to use in daily interactions
• Provide support to explore job interests and community activities
• Provide support to complete work or business activities including supports for individuals who own their own business
• Training and support to increase or maintain self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills to participate in own community
• Develop / maintain or enhance independent functioning skills in the areas of sensory-motor, cognition, personal grooming, hygiene and other daily living and social skills

We are currently seeking a Direct Service Provider for the following opportunity :

Opportunity to work with a non-verbal, gentle, happy, cheerful and very talented young man who is 26 years old, on the Autism Spectrum, living in Cambridge. He understands two languages, English and Russian, has an advanced vocabulary in both languages and can be considered passively fluent in both, but he cannot speak either. He is an excellent student, very social, and a joyful open person who would look you right into the eyes. Over the years he has developed a talent in art, which serves him as a unique communication channel.

Seeking an engaging, energetic and relatable friend to be a skills trainer for this young man. The job entails going on community outings in the city to places like the park, library, museum, grocery store etc. This job will also entail going on walks and participating in sports like swimming, basketball, or ice skating, and going to the YMCA. This individual is available Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after 4pm and Sundays after 1pm for up to 6 hours of work a week. Activities are flexible. If you cannot provide all hours, that is okay! Combination of hours are flexible as well.

This is a great opportunity to those in school, working a second job, looking to get experience working with individuals with ASD. The individual's family is happy to work with you and provide references.