Special Needs Caregiver Qualifications

Regional Center Experience

Accepted:

✔ Working with Regional Center clients

✔ Vendor-support experience

✔ IHSS Special Needs Support

Why it matters:

• Demonstrates experience with developmental disabilities

• Familiar with state-supported care

Safety & Crisis Training (Non-Restraint Only)

Accepted:

✔ CPI Verbal Intervention

✔ Safety-Care (non-restraint training)

✔ Pro-ACT de-escalation (non-restraint)

These teach:

• Crisis prevention

• De-escalation

• Calm communication strategies

NOT allowed:

✘ Any certification that includes physical restraints

Autism-Specific Training Certificates

Accepted examples:

✔ Autism Spectrum Disorder Basics

✔ Sensory Processing & Regulation

✔Neurodiversity Affirming Care Training

✔Trauma-Informed Care Basics

✔ABA Introduction for Caregivers

Verifiable Experience

Experience is allowed even without formal certifications, if a caregiver has:

✔ Provided special needs support to family members

✔ Worked privately with autistic or disabled children/adults

✔ Completed school district workshops

✔Supported dementia or cognitive decline

Must be clear, documented, and verifiable.

Accepted Qualifications (Must Have at Least ONE)

DSP Certification (DSP-2, DSP-3 or Above)

Accepted:

✔ DSP-2

✔ DSP-3

✔ DSP Advanced

✔ State-recognized Direct Support Professional training

Why it matters:

• Covers disability care fundamentals

• Trains communication & behavior strategies

• Teaches person-centered support

Paraeducator / Instructional Aide Experience (SPED)

Accepted:

✔ Paraeducator in Special Education

✔ Instructional Aide / Classroom Aide

✔ Behavioral Support Aide

Why it matters:

• Real experience with autism, IDD, ADHD

• Familiar with IEP goals and inclusive strategies

ABA Training (Non-Clinical Only)

These DO NOT authorize therapy — but they are acceptable for supportive tasks.

Allowed:

✔ 40-hour ABA foundational training

✔ Autism Partnership Foundation RBT Course

✔ Behavioral Technician Foundations

✔ Employer-based ABA workshops

NOT allowed:

✘ Providing therapy programs

✘ Running clinical behavior plans

✘ Implementing restraints or holds

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) — Knowledge Only

Caregivers with RBT credentials can offer:

✔ Social skills support

✔ Sensory activities

✔ Communication practice

✔ Routine building

✔ Redirection (non-clinical)

They cannot provide:

✘ Clinical ABA therapy

✘ Programs written by a BCBA

✘ Behavior intervention plans

Caregivers must upload or verify one or more of the following credentials or experience levels: