Autism Therapy Trainee

Job Description

Most psychology internships teach you how to observe from the corner of a room.

This one expects you to participate.

At Embrace Autism, you will work directly alongside an experienced social-relational therapist and learn how to support autistic and neurodivergent individuals through play, conversation, movement, daily living activities, and real-world social experiences.

This is not an internship where you simply take notes and watch sessions.

You will be expected to build relationships, model communication, initiate activities, create learning opportunities, contribute ideas, and gradually take greater responsibility under supervision.

One day, you may be helping a child practise communicating during play. The next, you may be supporting an adult client to initiate conversations, prepare a meal, participate in a group activity, or navigate a community setting.

You may also help us communicate our work to parents and the public through social media and educational content.

If you are warm, observant, proactive, and willing to learn by doing, keep reading.

What You’ll Actually Be Doing:

Observe and assist during individual and small-group social sessions

Build rapport with autistic and neurodivergent children, teenagers, and adults

Model functional language, conversation, emotional expression, and social interaction

Help clients participate in play, games, movement, cooking, community activities, and daily living tasks

Create simple and engaging activities based on each client’s interests and developmental goals

Support clients in practising flexibility, initiation, turn-taking, problem-solving, and self-expression

Assist with preparing session materials, visual supports, games, and activity plans

Record useful observations and contribute ideas during session discussions

Work with social media content creator for Instagram and Facebook

Help turn session insights into educational posts, videos, and resources for parents and professionals

Assist with workshops, programmes, events, or community-based activities when required

Work closely with the Director on real client, programme, and business-development projects

This role involves both thoughtful observation and active participation. You will not always be given a script. You must learn to notice what a client needs, respond appropriately, and take initiative while remaining open to feedback.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll fit in well if you:

Are studying or have recently graduated in Psychology, Education, Early Childhood, Social Work, Special Education, Communications, or a related field

Are genuinely interested in autism, communication, relationships, and human development

Are warm, patient, emotionally steady, and comfortable interacting with people of different ages and abilities

Can communicate clearly in English

Are proactive and do not need to be reminded repeatedly

Are observant and able to notice small changes in behaviour, communication, and engagement

Can accept direct feedback without becoming defensive

Are willing to participate in play, movement, games, cooking, and community activities

Are comfortable travelling to different locations around Singapore

Can behave professionally and maintain strict client confidentiality

Are dependable, punctual, and responsible

Have a “let me try” attitude rather than waiting for perfect instructions

Bonus Points If You:

Have experience working with autistic or neurodivergent individuals

Have facilitated camps, tuition, enrichment classes, youth programmes, or group activities

Are confident initiating conversations and engaging people who may not respond immediately

Can use Canva, CapCut, Instagram, Facebook, or other content-creation tools

Understand how to create simple videos, captions, reels, or educational posts

Are interested in developing a career in therapy, social facilitation, special education, or programme development

Know how to use AI tools responsibly for research, planning, writing, or content creation

Enjoy buil

What You’ll Gain

Direct experience working with autistic and neurodivergent individuals across different ages and support needs

Hands-on training in social facilitation, emotional regulation, communication, play, and relationship-building

Exposure to real-life, community-based intervention rather than classroom theory alone

Guidance and feedback from an experienced practitioner with more than 12 years of experience

Opportunities to observe how sessions are adapted to each individual

Experience creating activities and programmes with clear developmental goals

A deeper understanding of how to work collaboratively with parents, caregivers, and professionals

Practical experience in educational content creation and social media communication

Greater confidence in facilitating interactions instead of simply observing them

Potential opportunities for continued full-time or project-based work after the internship

This Role Is Not Suitable for Someone Who

Only wants an internship certificate or résumé entry

Is uncomfortable initiating interaction with clients

Expects to spend most of the internship doing office-based administrative work

Needs detailed instructions for every small task

Frequently arrives late, cancels, or forgets assigned responsibilities

Takes feedback personally and struggles to adjust their approach

Believes that working with autistic individuals means simply supervising or entertaining them

Internship Details

Full-Time Internship

Minimum Commitment: 6 Months

Allowance: $700+ Per Month (include CPF)

Client-Facing and Community-Based Role

Some Social Media and Content-Creation Responsibilities

Sessions will take Place at Clients’ Homes or Community Locations

Travel Within Singapore May Be Required

Application Instructions

Please apply by submitting your résumé together with a short introduction that answers the following questions:

Why are you interested in working with autistic and neurodivergent individuals?

Describe one experience where you took initiative without being told exactly what to do.

What do you hope to learn from this internship?

Please also include your available internship period, weekly availability, and whether you are comfortable travelling to different locations around Singapore.

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Join us at the ground level of a growing practice, where you will not just support the work - you will help shape how it is built.

Pay: From $650.00 per month

Benefits:

Flexible schedule

Food provided

Promotion to permanent employee

Work from home

Work Location: On the road