Speech & Language Pathologist
About The Academy for Advancement of Children with Autism (AACA) At the Academy, our utmost priority is to create a nurturing and inclusive community where every student feels a true sense of belonging and inner peace. We understand the profound challenges our students face in various areas, such as sensory input/output, social skills, transitions, vocal ability, and general functioning. Many arrive at our school with significant behavioral issues developed over years of coping with their unique challenges. We wholeheartedly believe that each of our students is embarking on a journey of self-actualization towards their highest potential. At the Academy, we are committed to providing the necessary support and guidance to help them achieve their goals. Together, we will nurture their talents, paving the way for a bright future ahead. We take pride in our core values here at AACA- UNITED Unity Nurture Innovation Tenacity Empowerment Dignity AACA is a Nonpublic School (NPS) serving students ages 5 to 22 with severe behavioral and developmental needs. Our mission is to provide individualized instruction and therapeutic support to help each student reach their fullest potential in a structured, compassionate environment. Position Summary: The Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP) provides specialized services to students with severe behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs. The SLP assesses, diagnoses, and treats speech, language, social communication, and feeding/swallowing disorders, while collaborating with educational staff and families to support each student's individualized learning and communication goals. The hours for this position are Monday-Friday 8:30AM-3:30PM. Key Responsibilities: Assessment & Evaluation Conduct comprehensive speech, language, and communication evaluations, including formal testing, informal measures, and observations. Assess students for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) needs, recommending appropriate devices or strategies. Provide input for functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and multidisciplinary evaluations. Prepare written evaluation reports and present findings to IEP teams. Intervention & Therapy Develop and implement individualized treatment plans targeting speech, language, social communication, and functional communication skills. Provide direct therapy services in individual, small group, and classroom-integrated settings. Support feeding and swallowing therapy as appropriate. Incorporate evidence-based practices and behaviorally informed strategies to address the needs of students with challenging behaviors. Collaboration & Consultation Collaborate with teachers, paraprofessionals, school psychologists, occupational therapists, and behavior specialists to promote communication success across environments. Train staff in strategies for supporting functional communication, including the use of AAC systems, PECS, visual supports, and social stories. Provide families with resources, training, and support to carry over communication strategies at home. Actively participate in IEP meetings, progress reviews, and interdisciplinary team discussions. Behavior & Crisis Support Integrate communication strategies into behavior intervention plans (BIPs). Support crisis intervention efforts by developing individualized communication supports to reduce frustration and aggression. Model calm, compassionate, and consistent communication practices during high-stress or crisis situations. Compliance & Documentation Maintain accurate and timely records of evaluations, therapy sessions, and student progress. Write measurable IEP goals and document progress toward mastery. Ensure compliance with IDEA, Section 504, FERPA, and state licensure requirements. Qualifications Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from an accredited program. Current CA licensure/certification as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from ASHA preferred. Experience working with children and young adults with severe behavioral and developmental disabilities. Knowledge of AAC devices, behavioral interventions, and trauma-informed practices. Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication skills. Preferred Skills Experience with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles. Familiarity with PECS, LAMP, Proloquo2Go, or other AAC systems. Bilingual or multicultural experience a plus. Benefits Competitive salary (based on experience and qualifications) Health, dental, and vision insurance Paid time off and holidays Supportive multidisciplinary team environment The pay range for this role is: 125,000 - 145,000 USD per year (AACA Chatsworth)
