paraprofessional

speech language pathologist

special assistant

special education teacher

registered behavior technician

The Stepping Stones Group

What is the best part of working at the company?
The pay is pretty good and the hours are consistent and reliable (except for school breaks and holidays, which you don’t get paid for). You have a lot of control in how you do your work and don’t feel micromanaged. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of the job is having to weather the weeks of winter break and summer break without pay. Remember, no school day, no pay. There is the ESY that helps out during the summer that you can volunteer for, but that’s only for a month and you still have several weeks of no work. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work environment is unique to whichever school/classroom you are assigned, but I never had much issue working with the teachers and school staff. They were helpful and polite and let me work in the method that was most beneficial to the kiddo. 

My RBT lead was helpful, without being overbearing and the same for my recruiter, who would check in periodically. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I show up at the school site at at 8:00 am, prepare for my day, assist the classroom teacher as needed to prepare for the day, the client shows up at 8:40, I sit with the client next to his desk, prompting and reinforcing as needed, working on behavioral alternatives to maladaptive behaviors, if present. I leave the actually l teaching to the teacher, as much as possible. I accompany the client out during recesses, again looking out for and minimizing maladaptive behaviors on the playground. I take my lunch break at noon and a school staff takes over over me with the kiddo at this time. After lunch, it’s back to the class room and continue services until 3:00pm, which is when the school day ends. I make sure the client is reunited with their parents/caregiver, give them a brief run-down of the day and then I go home! 

Note: The standard work day is usually 6 hours, but you have the option of working a 6.5 work day, if desired, to help assist the classroom teacher to prepare for the day and to prepare your own materials before the client arrives.

I chose to do this because I felt less rushed and, honestly, an extra 30 minutes a day adds a little extra heft to the paycheck.

Before considering a position with SSG, here’s what you should know:

At the start of the school year, there was no SLP assigned to the school, which meant I didn’t begin working as an SLPA until three months into the school year. This delay was frustrating and made the transition into my role much harder. Be sure that an SLP is assigned and ready before your start date to avoid a similar situation.

While the initial interview seemed promising, the communication and support after that were lacking. As a first-year SLPA in a school setting, I expected more guidance, especially since I was new to the role. Unfortunately, there was minimal follow-up from the company, and I often had to take the initiative to reach out for updates.

Additionally, when I requested a placement closer to my travel location, the company made little effort to accommodate that request. At the end of my first year, I learned that securing a position for the following school year was not guaranteed and required significant effort on my part to reach out to the school district. In fact, I ended up leaving SSG and applied directly to the district for the next school year. Despite a conversation with someone from SSG assuring me they would do their best to support my next steps, it didn’t feel like they were actively working to help me progress.

After I left, I did receive a text from a director asking why I left, but there was no follow-up after that.

Overall, the main issue for me was the lack of communication and support throughout the process. While the pay was competitive, the support I was promised as a first-year SLPA just wasn’t there.

I likely won’t return unless there’s a position near me, as I eventually found a district independently where I no longer have to worry about year-round placement.

My advice: Be proactive with SSG. You’re not guaranteed a position for the following school year, so ensure your pay is secure for the summer and stay on top of communication with them. I made the mistake of not securing summer pay, which led to a stressful transition.
I hope my experience helps you make an informed decision.

SOS has been a great company to work for. I had not worked as a contractor previously and have always been skeptical of staffing agencies - they often use obnoxious recruiting tactics, and I've heard nightmare stories from other companies. Honestly SOS wasn't even on my radar when I got their email, which was personal (did not feel like a robot generated it like so many others) and tailored to my actual interest/geographic areas. That email was a good sign, and I haven't been disappointed in my decision to sign with them - I'd told myself I'd try it for one year and now I'm going on 4 with them.

SOS helped place me in a job that has suited me perfectly, and are always supportive of my needs. All staff is highly responsive and they make everything easy, from renewing licensure to completing supervision paperwork. They are also very supportive and friendly, so I feel like a part of the team... It doesn't feel like they are across the country from me. All company processes (e.g. weekly timecards, insurance enrollment, etc) are very easy which is great, so I can focus on my actual job. The benefits are very competitive, if not better than most, and I was even granted a small raise after a couple years which is nice. Other than that, there is not much room for advancement as far as I know, but I wouldn't expect that in this type of job. 

The first year I worked for SOS, I was a travel employee and the apartment placement was great. It's in a very nice area (not near my school which I would not have wanted to be placed close to) and was an easy process. The only downside was that it is an expensive place, so when I decided to stay rather than travel it was a financial hit (high rent plus paying losing tax-free status of that money) - however SOS converted that into direct payment so I didn't really lose out. Just something to consider, it's best to keep traveling.

I've only been placed in the one position so it may be that I just got lucky with my district and position, but it was the perfect match for me and I've been very happy working for SOS.

What is the best part of working at the company?
I worked as a BT w/this agency & ultimately found the experience to be a dead end in terms of professional development & meaningful clinical training. While the role is often presented as an entry point into ABA & autism support, the reality is that there is very little structured training or ongoing mentorship once you are placed in high intensity environments.

Many of the cases involve complex, high support needs autistic individuals, yet BTs are frequently expected to manage challenging behaviors w/out sufficient preparation, modeling or supervision. This creates a gap between responsibility & competency that can feel unsafe for both staff & clients.

There is also limited opportunity for growth within the organization. Advancement or deeper clinical understanding does not seem to be a clear pathway unless you independently pursue additional education outside of the agency. As a result, the role can feel stagnant rather than developmental.

Overall, while the intention of supporting autistic individuals is important, the execution lacks the level of training & clinical infrastructure needed for high-intensity settings. I would recommend this role only for very short term exposure, not as a long term career path in behavior analysis or autism services.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The most stressful part of working in an agency is managing high needs situations w/limited training, inconsistent support & unclear supervision across multiple systems.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The work culture can feel isolating & adversarial w/ limited internal support & strained relationships w/district staff that often leave agency workers feeling unwelcome and undervalued.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
A typical day involves stepping into high needs situations w/minimal handoff, navigating unclear expectations between agency & school staff while trying to support students troubleshooting challenges largely on your own.

I would not recommend this recruitment company because:
 A typical day varied greatly depending on client assignment but there was often inconsistency in expectations especially regarding hours and procedures. Communication around schedules and client-specific protocols was unclear which made it difficult to confidently meet expectations. 
I gained insight how vendor-driven staffing models operate and the importance of advocating for clarity in client assignments.I also learned the value of adaptability and how crucial it is to ask the right questions early, especially in environments where onboarding is limited. Unfortunately, my experience with management -particularly regional leadership (TO)was very disappointing.There was noticeable lack of empathy and managers were quick to put staff on Performance Improvement plans  (PIPs) without giving proper guidance or context.Rather than support growth or clarify misunderstandings disciplinary action was the default.The work culture felt transactional with a strong focus on maintaining vendor/client satisfaction than on employee support.People from diverse backgrounds and work cultures felt unsupported or misunderstood, there was little effort to provide inclusive onboarding or fair explanations of expectations.The hardest part was navigating unclear expectations and being penalized for things that were never properly communicated.It was especially tough to feel criticized or put on a PIP for misunderstandings rather than actual performance issues.This lack of transparency and constructive feedback made it challenging to succeed or feel secure in the role and job. 

The only reason I left The Stepping Stones Group was because I wanted to try life as a full-time researcher, and I obtained a postdoctoral research position. It's important to note that my pay now as a university employee is very similar to my pay as a part-time employee with Stepping Stones. The funds for self-care and professional development are slightly less in my non-SSG position, though (I'm starting to question my decision to leave.). That speaks to the level of care The Stepping Stones Group puts into retaining their employees when you look at the non-pay benefits provided by the company. 
When schools shut down for COVID-19, Katelyn - SSG Director of Client Services, did a lot of legwork to get teletherapy running for my district. She advocated and developed a plan so all district contract therapists could resume work. SSG even paid for the platform for my district! Other contract companies in my district looked to SSG for solutions. The behavior of employers during this time is indicative of the employer they are overall. Keep this in mind. This is the employer you want especially during the uncertain times with COVID-19. 
When working as a therapist, you may be hesitant to sign up for contract work. Be aware that as a contract speech pathologist, you can focus on service delivery and the associated paperwork. In my district, if you're hired directly by the board of education, you will have to fit in extra duties (e.g. lunchroom monitor, dismissal service). If you move, you'll have to find a new job from scratch. If you're with SSG, they can help you find a new placement. You could stay with SSG and explore a new geographic region. Let's face it - if you're going to contract, SSG is the supportive employer you want! I am confident that SSG did everything they possibly could to make sure I was content as their employee. 

Working as an RBT at the Stepping Stones Group has been a rewarding and educational experience. A typical day involves implementing behavior intervention plans, collecting data, and working one-on-one with children with autism or other developmental needs. The job demands focus, patience, and compassion, but the impact we make is truly meaningful.

I’ve learned valuable skills in applied behavior analysis, effective communication, and how to manage challenging behaviors while staying calm and supportive. The training and supervision provided by the BCBAs are thorough and encouraging, helping me grow professionally.

Management is responsive and supportive, offering guidance when needed. The workplace culture is team-oriented, respectful, and child-centered. Everyone works together with a shared goal of helping clients thrive.

The hardest part of the job can be dealing with emotionally difficult situations or behavioral escalations, especially on tough days. However, the most enjoyable part is witnessing a child’s progress, no matter how small—it’s incredibly fulfilling and a reminder of why this work matters.

I have only been here for one year and I really enjoyed my placement that I had. I did come up with some staff issues at the school but able to solve them internally and no need to bring in my company. 

I rated the work and life balance low and the job security low. because even if you are only working the school hours and there is no over time - you do not get paid during breaks, days the school has off for professional days and or when there is snow days. They also do not have paid trainings over the breaks to make up for the hours lost. It was hard to be able to have a second job that will over lap with the days off to make those days up. I was 4 months without a position, it was debilitating not knowing when I would get a position and making it hard to commit to another job in the meantime. They only thing that I can say about advancement is my raise that I got, and it was nice. 

I rated the compensation and benefits low also because when I had first started I worked from October to June and was only able to have about 2 or 3 days of sick days. I think for the 2024 school year they have updated it and it was a lot better. I also have looked at the medical insurance and it didn't seem like they had good coverage and there was a lot of pocket even with paying 170 something from my paycheck. 

Job culture was different depending what school you were in. 

Management, I didn't really have a problem until the end of the school and over the summer trying to get a position for the following school year. The lack of communication and being left in the dark about your next paycheque was stressful.

I did enjoy my placement and the staff I got along well. I loved the kids and the culture there. 

If you’re a stay at home mom and need virtual work it’s a great place to work. They provide good support, always available to answer questions, and they check on you during contracts you’re working. 
They always present you with a contract they find and tell you about it. Then you have to interview with that district and if they want to hire you then The Stepping Stones sets it up. There isn’t always complete clarity on certain information for your role but I think that could be an easy resolve by using a questionnaire of what RSP teachers need to get started and present that to the district before you start (i.e. caseload, who to report to, school schedules, IEP login info, Gen Ed teacher names and contact, school on boarding, etc.).


The only hang up is that it’s not guaranteed work. There may not always be a contract for you to fulfill. That’s means that if you don’t get a contract to work then you don’t make money. I done the liberty of finding my own contracts by asking people I know if they need help with anything at their district. When they say yes they contact the company and we go from there. 

When a school has the day off then you have to take the day off and that’s a day of no money.  That’s great if you’re not concerned about needing to work everyday for money. But if you need consistent work that is guaranteed you might struggle during parts of the year like spring breaks, holidays, summer, thanksgiving and winter break. Summer was hard for me to not get paid for so long. 

I really like working for The Stepping Stones Group and I like the support I get. I’m very happy there and don’t have any plans to leave them. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
I have worked as a contracted employee of Stepping Stones Group and I can't find the words to express the pride, the appreciation, the joy that I feel when I speak of this company as my employer. I am honored truly honored to be part of this group of extraordinary individuals. And I wasn't aware of Stepping Stones Group until they reached out to me and made me feel valued and welcomed and appreciated and for anyone seeking employment with this company I strongly strongly encourage you to reach out and apply for any position that Stepping Stones  Group is looking to fill. Excellent benefits, company paid sick days, an expense account. Believe me you will not regret it.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Stepping Stones Group is not company where I have experienced any stress. Always 100% support, when I reach out to a representative with a concern I get a prompt response and it just makes me feel so validated and appreciated. There is no stressful part, not at all.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Excellent, the camaraderie, The internal support, as well as the external support is what every employee looks for and expects from a company they work for

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Happiness, enthusiasm, I have only missed days where I was exposed to a virus and I was so sad that I wasn't able to go into work with and outstanding team of colleagues

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Paraprofessional 22 salaries reported	$19.36 per hour
Speech language pathologist 19 salaries reported	$54.08 per hour
Special assistant 663 salaries reported	$22.91 per hour
Special education teacher 15 salaries reported	$38.43 per hour
Registered behavior technician 2 salaries reported	$24.71 per hour

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