About The School
The Helix School is a Cognia-accredited nonpublic school (NPS) specializing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related neurodivergent profiles, serving students from kindergarten through age 22 across the San Francisco Bay Area. Guided by the mission to “guide autistic children to lead fulfilling and connected lives,” The Helix School has grown from two students at its founding in 2014 to a thriving learning community of over 60 students, the majority of whom are funded by their local public school districts. Partnering with families and districts across the Bay Area, the School navigates the full complexity of the NPS landscape, including IEPs, district contracts, and the regulatory framework that governs publicly funded special education placements.
What makes The Helix School distinctive is its interdisciplinary model: clinical services, including occupational therapy and speech-language pathology, are embedded directly alongside teaching faculty, creating an integrated team that works in concert around each student. The integrated curriculum is tailored to each student's developmental level, sensory processing differences, and emotional-regulatory needs, with an emphasis on motivation, kinesthetic, and sensory-based learning. The Helix School partners with families and school districts to deliver educational programming that is responsive, relationship-driven, and rooted in the belief that every learner deserves a path forward.
The Helix School exists to create a learning environment where autistic and neurodivergent students are known, valued, and challenged to grow. Through individualized instruction, evidence-based practices, and a whole-child approach, The Helix School cultivates academic progress, social-emotional development, and the confidence students need to build meaningful, self-directed lives. The School's work is guided by care, high expectations, and an unwavering commitment to each student's potential. For more information about The Helix School, please visit our website at www.thehelixschool.org
Purpose of the Position
The Aide provides direct instructional, behavioral, and therapeutic support to students with autism by implementing individualized education and support plans under the guidance of teachers and related service providers. This position works collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team to promote student learning, communication, independence, social-emotional development, and overall success throughout the school day.
Essential Functions
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the classroom teacher and interdisciplinary team to implement individualized educational, behavioral, and therapeutic support plans.
- Provide one-on-one and small-group instructional support to students throughout the school day.
- Support implementation of students' academic, communication, behavioral, and social-emotional goals.
- Provide behavioral support using approved intervention strategies to promote student safety and engagement.
- Collect and document student data and observations under the direction of teachers and related service providers.
- Maintain student confidentiality and comply with FERPA, mandated reporter requirements, and School policies.
- Support student supervision and safety throughout the school day, including classrooms, transitions, playgrounds, community-based instruction, and mealtimes.
Required Qualifications
Education & Eligibility
To be eligible for this position, candidates must meet one of California's instructional paraprofessional qualification requirements by satisfying one of the following:
- Associate's degree (A.A.) or higher from an accredited institution; or
- Completion of at least 48 semester units (or equivalent quarter units) from an accredited college or university; or
Successful completion of an approved paraprofessional skills assessment.
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Employees who do not meet the degree or college unit requirement at the time of hire may be required to successfully complete a School-approved paraprofessional skills assessment within the timeframe established by the School, in accordance with applicable state requirements and School policy. The Helix School may provide study resources and cover assessment fees in accordance with School policy.
Experience & Skills
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with children; experience supporting students with disabilities or in special education is strongly preferred.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- Ability to implement instructional, behavioral, and therapeutic strategies under the direction of teachers and related service providers.
- Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Flexibility, patience, and a student-centered approach to supporting diverse learners
Ideal for Those Pursuing Careers In
Speech-Language Pathology, Behavior Analysis, Education, Occupational Therapy, or Counseling.
Other Duties As Assigned
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Employees may be assigned additional job-related responsibilities as needed to meet the operational needs of the School.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
This position requires direct physical interaction with students who may, at times, exhibit dysregulated behaviors such as hitting, kicking, scratching, biting, grabbing, spitting, or throwing objects. The employee must be physically able to respond safely, calmly, and effectively in these situations. Training in approved behavioral intervention techniques will be provided, and ongoing support is available.
Mobility & Physical Activity
- Walk approximately 2 to 3 miles over the course of a school day
- Stand for at least 50% of the workday
- Run a short distance (e.g., across a classroom or outdoor area) when a student safety situation requires it
- Climb stairs and sustain physical activity across a full school day
- Rise quickly from a seated, kneeling, or floor position
- Bend, stoop, squat, kneel, and crouch repeatedly throughout the day
- Sit at a child's level on the floor and return to standing without assistance
- Maintain balance while supporting or redirecting a moving student
Strength & Physical Capability
- Lift and carry up to 25 lbs
- Push and pull doors or equipment as needed
Sensory & Communication
- Maintain visual supervision of students across a room or yard with line of sight at all times
- Hear well enough to monitor the environment and respond to calls for help
- Communicate clearly in spoken and written English
Emotional & Behavioral Regulation
- Maintain professional composure and emotional regulation when subjected to verbal hostility, including profanity, slurs, derogatory or personal remarks, and other provocative language
- Maintain composure and self-regulation during stressful, unpredictable, or confrontational situations
Working Relationships
This position reports to the assigned Academic Director, who is responsible for supervision, performance management, and evaluation. The Aide works under the daily direction of the classroom teacher and collaborates closely with Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Counselors, Behavior Specialists, administrators, students, families, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to support student success.
Equal Opportunity Statement The Helix School does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors and clients.
