direct support professional

behavioral therapist

program manager

special education teacher

board certified behavior analyst

Aspire Living & Learning

A Typical day at work:
I work overnight awake third shift so me and the clients are sleeping between the hours of 12 and 6 in the morning. Typically they are asleep when I come on shift a few get up to use the bathroom. At 6am, we get up and I help them shower and get dressed. For the most part the clients are very independent with just a few issues. I usually have one client assist me with making the breakfast for the house and then they serve themselves except for one who is wheelchair bound. Then my co-worker and I will bring them to their day program where they interact with other adults with mental disabilities for a few hours out of the day.

What I've learned:
Working with people with mental disabilities has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. It shows me not take even the littlest things I can do on my own for granted. Working so closely with them on a day to day basis and having to assist with something as simple as making coffee or warming something up in the microwave just makes you grateful for all the things you can do and the things you can't do should be the very least of my worries when so many can't do the easiest things without assistance.

Management:
Being that my hours are on a set schedule I seldom have an issue with time management because the days I work never change and they are my guaranteed hours. I also work third shift 12-9am so nothing interferes with my schedule being that I go in to work so late.

My co-workers:
Many of my co-workers have been in this field for a long time so when I first started working with them I learned a lot. They were very patient with me, answered any questions or concerns that I had and taught me how to do things properly. They are all very friendly and what task one may have a hard time completing or can't do they have no problem picking up to help. I love the fact that we can all communicate well to one another and act as a team.

The hardest part of the job:
The hardest part of the job I would have to say is keeping up with the paper work. Being that I get up at 6 and help with 3 different people I have to be on top of any forms I have to fill out for them and in a timely fashion. We score their progress with the task in the morning (i.e. getting dressed, brushing teeth, making breakfast, etc.) so that way the clinicians can see what might need to be added to their schedule so they can progress better or even what may need to be taken out because it is either too difficult or they have mastered it so well that it is time for something else.

The easiest part of the job:
The easiest part of my job is that whatever activity we come up for them to do as long as they are physically able we can do it. When the weather is nice we can take them wherever their disability permits them. Just last week on a nice day me and another staff took two clients out for a walk and they really enjoyed it. That has to be the best part of the job seeing my clients out in the community enjoying themselves like anyone else would

Things that I love about Aspire: Co-workers (the camaraderie, the friendships, the teamwork, the happy hours), Work/life balance (as a BT, once you clock out at the end of the day, that’s it, there is no taking anything home), the students, growth opportunities, the hours and school breaks are amazing (and paid), and opportunities to try different aspects of working in a school. 

Working at Aspire is like all jobs, there are great days and harder days, but what makes a big difference is that your coworkers are there for you on those harder days. Working with children with disabilities can be challenging, but it is also so rewarding to see them make progress and succeed. Before working for Aspire I thought I knew what I wanted to do, I thought I knew where my life was headed. Then, after interviewing and starting to work with the kids I found myself changing all my plans because I had found more than just a job, I found a purpose for my life. I decided to go back to school and completely change my trajectory and future. My supervisor was amazing and helped me every step of the way, and Aspire helped me pay for school. Even when I wanted to explore different options and to try different departments within the company and schools to see what was out there (e.g., recruiting, HR, behavior analysis, teaching), my direct supervisor and the leadership team were very supportive and gave me the opportunities to explore multiple options without judgment. I work specifically at the Stamford Academy, and I feel so lucky to have the coworkers, and supervisor that I do, I could not have gotten as far or learned as much as I have without them. Every job has its pros and its cons, but I am forever grateful for the opportunities I have found at Aspire, with the team I have found myself with in Stamford. I have made life-long friendships, have developed a very large professional network, and have found a purpose in helping improve the quality of life for children and their families. 

A typical day at work involved managing responsibilities independently with little meaningful support from leadership. While I did gain experience in handling complex situations and advocating for the individuals we served, I also learned how inconsistent and cliquish the workplace culture can be.
Management often chose favorites, and decisions were influenced more by personal preference than fairness or performance. As a full-time salaried employee, I expected coaching, a PIP, or at least balanced documented feedback, but instead experienced an abrupt and unjust termination. This approach reflects how the organization operates more like a private, for-profit company than a human services agency, especially within the NH locations.

The lack of diversity in senior leadership and the absence of transparent professional development opportunities were noticeable. The hardest part of the job was navigating the inconsistent expectations and feeling unsupported by those in managerial roles. I sought after mentors in the MA locations. The most enjoyable part was working directly with the  DSPs & individuals served, building relationships, and seeing real progress in their lives.

Overall, this workplace has meaningful mission-driven potential, but the internal culture and leadership practices need significant improvement to truly support staff and uphold their stated values.

A typical day at work involved assisting clients, completing assigned tasks, and maintaining a safe and supportive environment. I learned how to improve my communication, teamwork, and time management skills. Management was generally supportive and open to questions. The workplace culture was respectful and team-oriented. The hardest part of the job was managing busy or stressful moments while staying focused. The most enjoyable part was helping others and building good relationships with coworkers and clients.

It is hard describing working for Aspire if you never have. Anyone who works there will tell you that they love the kids and their coworkers, but pay is horrible, management can be lacking and they need to work on communication. I think the managers need to work on being better with people, giving praise, and overall just making the stressed out staff who work with them feel better. The administrators need to get a better handle on their clinical staff and the perception everyone is getting from them. There is definitely a power imbalance and the admin, clinical team and some teachers rarely ever interact with their staff outside of training and feedback meetings (if there is even time for those).  The best part of your day will be your students and coworkers. There is a great team amongst the behavior therapists and the senior BTs and some of the teachers. There are happy hours and things that some staff to do together, which is nice to create a good culture, if you enjoy those things. The kids can have good days and bad days, but it’s very rewarding to see them succeed. It makes you feel like you are making a difference. Overall, I would suggest working here if you can focus on the pros (coworkers, kids, benefits and vacations) and manage or ignore the cons (management needs work, pay, no breaks). It was definitely an experience worth having. 

The work environment is highly challenging and, at times. Decision-making is centralized among administration and BCBAs, leaving little opportunity for collaboration or for other staff members’ professional input to be valued. 

There is a noticeable lack of respect for staff, along with minimal recognition of effort or accomplishments. Compensation does not include annual pay increases, and staff evaluations often feel punitive rather than supportive of professional growth.

Management practices can feel overly controlling, with expectations that mirror behavior management strategies rather than professional supervision. Workload demands continue to increase without adequate staffing or support, and employees are not consistently provided with breaks, including lunch periods. Admin is overwhelmed and understaffed due to constant staff turnover and staff are generally unhappy. 

Feedback is predominantly critical, with very limited positive reinforcement or acknowledgment of hard work. Overall, the environment places significant demands on staff while offering limited support, balance, or appreciation.

We work with developmentally delayed adults in residential & community settings. I work at the day program. Instructors & occasionally supervisors, will drive to a residential setting early in the morning and assist with early morning routines. We will then transport ourselves and our clients to the day program, where assistance with their activities is provided by staff & supervisors. At the end day program staff assists with transportation back home.

I was fortunate enough to be promoted during a turbulent time. Due to some previous mix-ups, I and several others were just dumped into the mix with all new responsibilities. It was a stressful time, but I learned a lot about what's required by the state and the nuts & bolts of the industry. 

Management is helpful and supportive.

The hardest part of the job will always be physical restraints. We've cut back the need for them a great deal, but the need for a physical intervention will never be eliminated.

The most enjoyable part of this job is the knowledge that every day you are there, you're making a difference in at least one person's life.

You are overworked underpaid. You have meetings at least three meetings a week and every time you in the meeting in the add more more to your caseload all of the individuals are medical fragile they wheelchairs they plan a cares is not affected of the care they get in the houses Staff some day of work in 24 hours and two days because there’s no staff there no overtime on the salary, but you work at least 80 hours a week and you only get paid for 40 you supposed to have flex days every time you put in for flex day you ain’t flexing ‘ cause your phone or your computer is going off and they expect you to answer It’s just not a good place to work. I do not recommend them to anyone. Please read this review and I’m not saying this cause I’m mad cause I’m actually still employed with them so just read this review and if you don’t have to work for them don’t but if you do they do pay for all the trainings so if you just knew getting in the way you need a company they’re going to pay for everything they do are all on board and they pay for everything from CMT, CPR, MANDT  everything so Thank you for listening

Prior to working in this field I enjoyed what I was doing. Even the first few months working at this company were great. However, this company thrives off of an unethical practice: giving raises to people who fly in the same social circle despite their inappropriate conversations about clients, using restraint/seclusion methods with failed attempts of deescalating behaviors, and working you like dogs and having no concern for your physical or mental health. I have waited to write this review because I thought after reflecting about my experience working here, I would praise the positives over the negatives in this company. But the only concerns of this company is creating employees that can benefit them, not the kiddos whatsoever. Prior to leaving this job, I made strides to see if the company can resolve any of my concerns: the lack of support, draining schedule and unethical issues going on in the workplace, I was pulled aside and told that I would never be able to thrive in this field. I truly wasted my time working here. If you care about children, their dignity and a friendly work environment, I strongly suggest that you never work here.

The organization basically took over the services that were provided by the State Institutions that closed years ago. You are dealing with individuals that have behavioral issues. Some are severe. They are administered medication to control their outbursts. As an employee you are trained how to use "holds" to control a patient. The problem is many individuals can attack you without warning. Other employees suppose to help you in an emergency situation but many just sit there and watch. Many individuals still remain in their "program" even after a violent outburst or attack because the company wants to keep their funding. Many cases of employees getting injured but they are never documented by the company. The company will not provide true support for the employee because they do not want to report it and be given a bad review by the State. They then say that is what they do and you knew it when hired which is not the case.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Direct support professional 699 salaries reported	$18.66 per hour
Behavioral therapist 68 salaries reported	$41,643 per year
Program manager 27 salaries reported	$48,963 per year
Special education teacher 42 salaries reported	$80,000 per year
Board certified behavior analyst 29 salaries reported	$83,552 per year

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