Durbanville: Companion for 16-year-old Autistic Male in Durbanville area posted by The Neurodiversity Centre

We are seeking a patient, creative, and resilient companion to support a 16yearold autistic teen with a PDA profile. The teen in question is bright, imaginative and talkative, with a deep fascination for dinosaurs and a strong interest in becoming a YouTuber. He thrives with humour, patience, and stimulating activities that help him engage with the world around him. The role is central to creating greater structure and consistency in his daily routine.

The teen requires a companion who can bring calm, flexible energy, support his daily functioning, and encourage life skills through practical, engaging experiences. The ideal candidate will be neuro-affirming, physically capable, and able to balance patience with creativity, helping him navigate routines, explore his interests, and build independence.

Purpose of the Role:

To provide steady, structured, and compassionate support at home and in during outings, focusing on daily routines, stimulating activities, and creative projects. The companion will help manage transitions, explore his YouTube ambitions, and engage in life skills, while ensuring his environment remains supportive, safe, and affirming.

Job Objectives:

        Support the teens daily routines (including showering, brushing teeth and hair, dressing and cleaning nails)

        Approach routines with patience and consistency, while allowing him to set the pace instead of forcing compliance.

        Provide choices when requests are made, allowing him to decide without pressure.

        Model calm responses when he is stuck, offering options and humour to ease transitions, rather than rigid instructions.

        Facilitate outings such as joining the Tyger Valley game room, attending festivals (e.g., Kite Festival in Bloubergstrand), visiting animal farms, walking his dog, and spending time at dams, beaches, and parks.

        Engage in board games, reading, and fun group activities, while also being comfortable with providing quiet companionship, or simply relax together with a movie when he is unable to participate in activities.

        Encourage and assist with YouTube content creation, offering technical guidance and creative ideas.

        Act as a scribe when needed, supporting communication and expression.

        Assist with life skills and exposure to experiences outside the home.

        Maintain a safe, affirming environment, sensitive to sensory needs, food preferences, and unusual behavioursnever showing judgment, reprimanding, or raising/changing tone of voice.

        Provide physical support when required.

        Collaborate with his mother to ensure consistency and relief in caregiving.

Requirements

Personal Qualities

       Patient, calm, and resilient, able to remain grounded during long periods of being stuck.

       Fun, humorous, and creative, bringing laughter and stimulation into daily life.

       Neuroaffirming, respectful of autism and PDA, with lived experience or strong awareness.

       Physically capable of assisting with bathing and other tasks requiring strength.

       Flexible and reliable, able to adapt to his needs and family routines.

       Animal lover (family has four cats and a Yorkie).

       Nonjudgmental, low-arousal approach

Skills

       Ability to plan and implement engaging, structured routines Essential.

       Strong patience and problemsolving skills when routines break down Essential.

       Creative thinking to support YouTube projects and imaginative projects Essential.

       Excellent communication with the teen and his caregiver Essential.

       Holds a valid drivers licence and has a reliable car Essential.

Knowledge

       Understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and PDA Essential.

       Awareness of traumainformed, neuroaffirming approaches Essential.

       Familiarity with YouTube content creation Desirable.

Working Hours:

        Weekdays: 09:30 14:30 or 10:00 15:00 (approximately 6 hours daily, with slow, gradual settling in).

Flexibility to extend to 09:00 18:00/19:00 once established

Benefits

        Support and training from the Facilitation Academy over 46 weeks, including online modules, individual sessions, and access to resources.

        Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in an autistic teens daily life and longterm independence.

        Salary: Competitive, aligned with experience and qualifications.

        Petrol for transporting the teen reimbursed at AA rates per kilometre.