Autism Counsellor [Permanent - Full-time]

The Role

The Autism Counsellor provides direct support to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, intellectual disabilities, complex support needs, and/or medical diagnoses. The position supports individuals in adult residential services, Community Participation group programs, community settings, and hospital environments, promoting independence, skill development, safety, and quality of life.

The Counsellor uses evidence-based practices, including ABA, person-centred approaches, trauma-informed care, and positive behavioural supports. Responsibilities may include supporting communication, social skills, daily living, personal care, community safety, recreation, pre-employment skills, and independence.

The role may involve direct personal care, personal hygiene support, lifts and transfers, transportation of clients using accessible vehicles, and supporting clients with complex physical, behavioural, and/or medical needs. The Counsellor is expected to maintain the dignity, privacy, safety, and choice of each individual while providing these supports.

Services may be delivered individually, in groups, within residential settings, in the community, or within hospital environments depending on the needs of the clients.

Key Responsibilities (may include but are not limited to):

Client service & support:

• Provide respectful, person-centred support that promotes dignity, choice, independence, inclusion, and self-determination.
• Support adults in residential programs, Community Participation group programming, community settings, and hospital environments, including individuals with complex behavioural, physical, and/or medical needs.
• Implement Behaviour Support Plans, individualized strategies, and established medical, behavioural, and safety protocols.
• Provide individual and group instruction in communication, social, recreational, community, and daily living skills.
• Support residential routines including meal preparation, household responsibilities, recreation, community participation, and activities of daily living.
• Participate in Community Participation programming, including community outings, recreation, volunteer opportunities, and life skills activities.
• Support clients in hospital settings and collaborate with hospital staff, healthcare professionals, families, residential teams, and community partners.
• Provide personal care and hygiene support, including toileting, bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, and other daily living needs.
• Safely perform or assist with lifts, transfers, repositioning, mobility support, and adaptive equipment in accordance with approved procedures and individualized plans.
• Safely operate agency vehicles, including accessible vehicles, and transport clients who use mobility devices.
• Assist clients with entering/exiting accessible vehicles, securing mobility devices, and following transportation safety procedures.

Documentation & records

• Complete required documentation, including progress notes, behavioural data, incident reports, and other program records.

Team collaboration:

• Participate in program planning, team meetings, training, supervision, case planning, and ongoing program evaluation

Professional practice and accountability

• Maintain professional relationships and boundaries while advocating for client rights, privacy, dignity, and choice.
• Follow all agency policies, procedures, health and safety requirements, and Ministry directives.

Skills & Qualifications

• Valid G driver's licence and ability to safely operate agency and accessible vehicles is required.
• Diploma or degree in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Behavioural Sciences, Psychology, Human Services, CYW, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with adults with autism and/or intellectual disabilities is preferred.
• Experience supporting individuals with complex behavioural, physical, developmental, and/or medical needs is an asset.
• Experience with personal care, hygiene, lifts, transfers, mobility support, adult residential services, Community Participation programs, and/or hospital environments is an asset.
• Strong communication, organization, documentation, problem-solving, judgment, flexibility, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to remain calm and professional during behavioural escalation or distress and implement approved behavioural strategies.
• First Aid/CPR, NVCI, WHMIS, and safe lifting/transfer training are assets.
• Vulnerable Sector Screening required.

Additional Information: Working Conditions

The position requires the physical ability to safely provide personal care, hygiene support, lifts, transfers, repositioning, mobility assistance, and active client support. The Counsellor must be comfortable supporting individuals who may experience behavioural distress, aggression, self-injury, or complex medical/physical needs, including in hospital settings.

Travel is required, including operating accessible vehicles and transporting clients with mobility needs. The position involves working across residential, Community Participation, community, agency, and hospital settings.

Schedule is Thursday - Monday, requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and overnight shifts.