| Do you have a young child with autism that you would | | | | request for training, for a Para professional that will |
| like to see placed in a regular education classroom, but | | | | work with your child. Investigate and find the training |
| may need support? Do you think that your child with | | | | yourself that you think would be appropriate, specify |
| PDD needs more support in the classroom, than they | | | | the amount of training in your child's IEP, where the |
| are currently receiving? This article will be discussing | | | | training will be received, and when the training needs to |
| special education paraprofessionals, job descriptions | | | | be completed. For Example: Training for Para |
| and how they may be able to support your child in a | | | | professional will include 18 hours of autism conferences |
| regular classroom! | | | | (Introduction to Autism Education 8 hours and |
| A Para professional is sometimes called an aide or an | | | | Introduction to Positive Behavioral Supports and Plans |
| assistant. They are a person who is trained to help | | | | 8 hours) held by our states Parent Training and |
| teachers in a classroom. This person is not a teacher | | | | Information Center (PTIC). The training is to be |
| and cannot teach children, but can assist a highly | | | | completed by August the 15 of this year since school |
| qualified teacher, with academics in a classroom | | | | will start on August 17th. School agrees to have a |
| setting, according to No Child Left Behind. | | | | trained Para professional working with my child; and if |
| Paraprofessionals can help children with schoolwork | | | | the person does not complete the training the school |
| that is taught by a certified teacher or perform other | | | | agrees to find a trained person to replace the |
| duties in a classroom. | | | | untrained one. |
| There are two types of these people in classrooms : | | | | The duties will differ according to the child. Here is a list |
| those that help all children in the classroom that require | | | | of some things that they may do: |
| extra help (usually called a classroom Para | | | | 1. Help child complete academic assignments. |
| professional or assistant), and a Para Professional that | | | | 2. Help keep the child focused on school work, and will |
| works specifically with one child while they are in a | | | | redirect as needed. |
| classroom (a 1-1 Para professional or assistant) If you | | | | 3. Breaks down academic assignments so that the |
| think that your child needs a 1-1 full time assistant to | | | | child may understand it more. |
| assist them in the classroom, make sure that this is | | | | 4. Act as a writer of assignments, if the child is unable |
| written in your child's Individual Educational Plan (IEP). | | | | to write. |
| For Example: ____ will have a 1-1 full time trained | | | | 5. Teach child appropriate social skills, and also |
| Para professional whenever ____ is in the regular | | | | encourage the child to interact with their peers. |
| classroom setting. | | | | 6. Help with positive behavioral support for negative |
| The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) | | | | behavior. |
| states that Para professionals are: consistent with | | | | 7. Help with any physical needs that the child has |
| State approved or State licensing requirements. To | | | | (toileting, help with eating lunch etc). |
| find what the licensing requirements are in your state | | | | 8. Help child with transitions from activity to activity. |
| for this position call your State Department (or Board) | | | | 9. Help child when group assignments are given, so |
| of Education. In my State of Illinois a Para professional | | | | that they can be active participants. |
| must have a high school diploma and have completed | | | | In my 20 years as an educational advocate I have met |
| some college. | | | | many Para professionals; some good some not! If you |
| If your child has a specific disability such as autism, you | | | | think that your child needs an assistant in order to |
| have the right to request additional training for the | | | | benefit from their education then bring it up at their |
| person that works with your child. Be specific in your | | | | next IEP meeting! Good Luck! |