Au Pair and Companion for a 13‑year‑old Autistic and Deaf (with cochlear implants) child Location: Ballito, KZN, South Africa. Responsibilities We are seeking a compassionate, energetic, and engaging individual to work as both an au pair and companion for a 13‑year‑old Autistic and deaf child. The child is a sweet, inquisitive teenager who loves technology, the outdoors, and hands‑on activities. He enjoys watching the sunrise and sunset, swimming at the beach, exploring new interests, and staying active. The role includes: Collecting him from school in Umhlanga and transporting him home safely Spending afternoons and evenings engaging through activities, outings, shared interests, and everyday routines Planning enjoyable and engaging activities that align with his interests and sensory profile Encouraging communication and social engagement, supporting independence, and helping create a structured yet enjoyable routine Assisting with aspects of his evening and bedtime routine when needed Working closely with his family and multidisciplinary team to implement practical support strategies that promote emotional wellbeing, communication, life skills, social development, and overall quality of life Job Objectives Collaborate with a team to support the child’s needs Facilitate social engagements with peers when needed and enhance social learning Understand, accommodate, and alleviate his sensory difficulties and anxiety Requirements Genuine passion for supporting neurodivergent individuals Experience working with children/teens, particularly those that are neurodivergent Knowledge of neurodivergence, particularly autism spectrum disorder, is advantageous Gentle, kind, supportive, and child‑led approach to working with children Intuitive ability to build authentic, respectful relationships with teenagers Ability to work independently and be creative about activities and outings Availability weekdays 16:00‑20:00 Monday to Friday, occasional Saturday/Sunday afternoon and occasional overnight stay Empathy, kindness, and ability to implement boundaries in a gentle but firm manner Patience, flexibility, and adaptability, open to constructive feedback, and resilience to manage fluctuating capacity Reliable, responsible, and able to maintain consistency and structure There will be an opportunity to be trained by the NDC Facilitation Academy when the role commences, and support sessions are provided for one month thereafter, working in collaboration with the wider multidisciplinary team based at the Neurodiversity Centre. #J-18808-Ljbffr