Social Development Support Specialist (Speech-Language Pathologist)

The Nest Support Project is looking for an experienced speech-language pathologist to join our dynamic multi-disciplinary team that values inclusion, strengths, neurodiversity, and celebration of difference. We are seeking candidates who have experience working with Autistic students and knowledge of effective developmental interventions to support social communication. This professional will have expertise supporting educators in the school system and be able to work collaboratively with project colleagues, as well as with school-based therapists, educators, and administrators. The Nest Support Project offers training in our therapeutic model for social communication during the on-boarding process and ongoing mentorship.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to speech-language pathologists interested in social communication! Newly hired Support Specialists receive training and ongoing mentorship in our unique approach to supporting autistic learners, Social Development Intervention (SDI), then support other therapists in its delivery across Nest schools in New York City. The Nest Support Project utilizes a collaborative team approach, so you will work alongside leadership and instructional specialists to ensure school-wide inclusive practices. Read on for more information about this unique role and the broader Nest Support Project!

About the Nest Support Project: The mission of the Nest Support Project is to advance the development and implementation of sound educational supports for Autistic students in kindergarten through 12th grade.   The Project provides training, professional development, and on-site and remote consultation for teachers, therapists, and administrators working in Nest program schools in the New York City Public Schools. 

 Our Nest model is grounded in a commitment to true inclusion. It takes a developmental approach to student learning and social development, and honors the experiences and perspectives of Autistic self advocates

Our Social Development Support Specialists:

●      Travel to public schools across the five boroughs to provide on-site and remote consultation to speech therapists delivering the Nest model’s specialized social therapeutic intervention

●      Independently manage their time and schedules to support these schools in their delivery of the model

●      Tailor their consultation supports to the individual needs of each therapist and school

●      Use creativity and thoughtful compassion to design and deliver workshops that promote understanding and respect for Autistic learners

●      Use leadership skills to galvanize school teams to create optimal, inclusive environments

The primary responsibilities of the Social Development Specialists include direct support of speech-language pathologists in Nest Schools in their delivery of Nest’s therapeutic model (Social Development Intervention) and the provision of ongoing professional development to these clinicians across the school year.  Social Development Intervention (SDI) is a developmental social pragmatic intervention implemented by a school’s speech-language pathologists in tandem with educators, which encourages social engagement and social cognition in varying contexts. During the on-boarding process, newly hired consultants receive training in this dynamic therapeutic model. Responsibilities also include collaboration with the Nest Support team to implement the Nest model across schools throughout New York City and beyond to create inclusive school communities for Autistic students.

The primary responsibilities of the Social Development Specialists include direct support of speech-language pathologists in Nest Schools in their delivery of Nest’s therapeutic model (Social Development Intervention) and the provision of ongoing professional development to these clinicians across the school year.  Social Development Intervention (SDI) is a developmental social pragmatic intervention implemented by a school’s speech-language pathologists in tandem with educators, which encourages social engagement and social cognition in varying contexts. During the on-boarding process, newly hired consultants receive training in this dynamic therapeutic model. Responsibilities also include collaboration with the Nest Support team to implement the Nest model across schools throughout New York City and beyond to create inclusive school communities for Autistic students.

Once trained in our therapeutic model, Social Development Specialists are expected to accomplish the following specific duties:

1. Consult in Nest program schools:
2. Provide remote and in-person consultation in Nest schools serving Autistic students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Consultation includes observations of speech sessions; meeting with, and providing feedback to, therapists and administrators regarding relevant student supports; and providing in-the-moment coaching
3. Attend the school’s Nest Team Meetings to coach speech therapists and assist with support of conducting collaborative, transdisciplinary discussions

1. Lead professional development
2. Support facilitation of full-day seminars for Nest speech therapists as part of the Nest Support Project professional development offerings
3. Develop and lead mini-workshops for multidisciplinary teams at Nest schools to support their understanding of SDI

1. Collaborate with Nest Support Project team
2. Support facilitation of regular meetings among members of the Nest Support Project SDI consulting team
3. Represent the SDI therapeutic approach and the SDI team on the core full-time team of the Nest Support Project
4. Share in the administrative work of the team

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is [$80,000-$90,000]. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer. Initial salary commensurate with qualifications and experience

MA/MS in speech-language pathology or a related field, CCC-SLP, a minimum five years’ experience providing speech therapy/social support to Autistic students with specific experience supporting students in the area of pragmatic language; experience collaborating with diverse teams and in diverse communities or schools, and experience facilitating professional development activities.

• Valued Competencies: Initiative, organization, creativity, collaboration, respect, reliability, thoughtfulness, responsibility, confidence & humility, and self-awareness