REPORTS TO:
Building Principal/Administrative designee (evaluates and supervises) & Town-wide Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA/special educator - supervises)

NATURE AND SCOPE:
Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) tutors are behavior development professionals requiring
formal education in education, psychology, behavior analysis or a related field of study. ABA
tutors study how behavior is influenced by environmental and other factors using reward
systems to reinforce positive, learned behaviors. School based ABA tutors work with special
education Team members, parents, Board Certified Behavior Analysts and other clinicians to
support students in accessing their Individualized Education Program goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) tutors apply the principles of behavior analysis to treat

students with disabilities who demonstrate significant behaviors. These may include
social skills, reading, math, communication, personal self-care and work skills.

• ABA tutors are required to implement educational and behavioral programs and maintain

and graph treatment data.

• When staffing students 1:1 or in a group, the ABA Tutor is required to maintain 100% visual surveillance and implement

all bolting and lost child policies with 100% fidelity.

• ABA tutors are expected to work with students who demonstrate very challenging and/or

acting out behaviors and provide hands on support for activities of daily living such as
toileting and self care in order to increase positive behaviors and reduce interfering
behaviors through the use of reinforcement procedures.

• ABA tutors work one-on-one, in small groups, in classroom and community settings,

including the student’s home, with students and possibly parents.

• Morning or afternoon home/services during extended school hours may be part of the

expectation.

• ABA tutors use programs that are devised by behavioral specialists (BCBA/special

educator) and utilize highly structured treatment programs that are geared toward the
specific student's needs.

• ABA tutors use the principles of behavior analysis to help student’s improve social, play,

language and academic skills, while helping reduce interfering behaviors, which may
include highly aggressive behavior like biting, hitting or pinching. Student behaviors may
include but are not limited to significant self-injurious behavior such as head banging,
skin picking and gouging.

• ABA tutors are skilled in the strategies that reinforce positive behaviors and how to

intervene when student’s exhibit undesirable behaviors.

• ABA tutors continually evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment program, and make

any necessary changes to help students learn new skills and behaviors more effectively
under the supervision of the BCBA

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
ABA tutors are required to have a bachelor's degrees or master's degrees in psychology or
related fields or significant specific training on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
provided by an educational or training institution. Training should focus on principles and
procedures of behavioral analysis, along with attending courses in observational methods,
behavioral applications and developmental disability treatment. Additionally, ABA tutors must
participate in ongoing job-based competency training via in-service professional development.
Licensure is not mandatory for ABA therapists who work directly with students in school settings
at this time. ABA tutors must be currently trained in Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) for both
active and passive intervention with students in crisis. If not certified prior to employment, the
ABA tutor must be willing to be trained by WPS. If certification has lapsed, the ABA tutor must
agree to attend continued training/ongoing re-certification.

JOB ENVIRONMENT:
Work takes place in school, home and community settings. ABA tutors are often required to
travel to and between student's homes, schools or workplaces. Tutors can spend up to 8 hours
per day with a student or small group of students and because their students may be diagnosed
with severe social disorders like autism spectrum disorder, the work can be both physically and
emotionally draining. ABA tutors can work irregular hours, such as evenings or school
vacations, to accommodate student's IEP goals.

The Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.