We’re looking for an aide for an engaging young women with Prader-Willi syndrome, to support her in her daily activities, exercise, and chores, and to engage her in productive, interesting pursuits. She loves to walk the family dog, take zumba classes, garden, and volunteer at her neighborhood elementary school, and visit the local animal shelters. She likes scary movies, crime TV shows and loves to research new “low-cal” baking recipes.
PWS is a complex disorder with a variety of symptoms and behaviors, including: learning disabilities (issues with attention, short-term memory, reading, receptive language, and poor auditory processing), behavioral challenges (anxiety, cognitive rigidity, OCD, emotional lability), deficits in social cognition (challenges with reciprocal communication, recognizing others' emotions, empathy skills, and accurate interpretation of social cues), and the unique one- hyperphagia (characterized by a lack of satiety, a high interest in food, and a mild to intense drive to find and consume food). No one person with PWS is the same, but most exhibit many of the classic symptoms to varying degrees.
Our daughter currently only lives part time in her own home since she does not have a complete team of “supported living” caregivers. The greatest staffing need for our daughter is for weekends but there is some flexibility, and additional evening and weekday shifts are very likely to be available. You would be part of a team of staff supporting our daughter. Currently there is a daytime staff ratio of 2:1
Supporting our daughter in her activities and responsibilities would provide an amazing professional development opportunity for anyone considering a career in education, special education, psychology, medicine, nursing, or behavioral science, social work, etc. Past aides have included recent college grads seeking experience before diving into their long-term professional careers.
You will ideally be able to:
o Provide at least 20 hours of support per week
o Participate in training and staff meetings
o Walk, hike, and enjoy participating in other outdoor activities
o Have interests you’d enjoy sharing
o Drive to activities
o Show lots of initiative
You are:
o Positive, creative, patient, flexible and observant
o Enjoy using humor and distraction to redirect and maintain focus
o Comfortable setting firm but kind limits
o Eager to learn about PWS and implement strategies shared by experts, managers, and family
You ideally:
o Have experience working with people with special needs and/or are interested in or studying education, special education, behavioral science, psychology or other related field.
If interested, please respond with resume and cover letter. Pay: $20.20/hour plus benefits
License/Certification:
Driver's License, A vehicle and car insurance
