Manhattan, New York
Mentor for Young Adult with Autism Washington Heights / Inwood – New York City We are seeking a thoughtful, patient, and reliable mentor to work one-on-one with a gifted young adult who is autistic and has ADHD. This is a long-term, relationship-based role focused on life skills, independence, emotional regulation, and personal growth, with opportunities to integrate academic and creative interests. We are especially interested in candidates with experience in the sciences and/or the arts, specifically chemistry, biology, and/or music instruction (piano, guitar, or violin). About the Role This position goes far beyond tutoring. While science mentorship and/or music instruction are valued components, the primary focus is supporting daily life skills, attention regulation, social development, and independent functioning. The mentor will work collaboratively with a small, dedicated team to support the client’s growth, confidence, and sense of self in the world. Responsibilities Support development of life skills, including: • Social interaction and communication, • Organization, cleanliness, and personal care, • Attention, follow-through, and impulse control (ADHD-related support), • Emotional regulation and coping skills, • Safe and increasingly independent travel within the community Additional responsibilities include: • Providing mentorship in science and/or music, based on your background, • Accompanying the client around the city, including:, • Library-based work or volunteer roles, • Museums, galleries, and cultural events, • Long walks and city outings, • Structured activities and appointments, • Balancing intellectual engagement with clear structure, consistency, and boundaries, • Collaborating with family and other mentors on long-term goals, including exploration of an appropriate career path Ideal Candidate We are looking for someone who is: • Patient, kind, emotionally steady, and observant, • Grounded, sincere, and values honesty and integrity, • Comfortable supporting individuals with autism and ADHD, • Able to provide structure without rigidity, • Calm, consistent, and able to set and maintain boundaries, • Flexible and adaptable, • Comfortable traveling throughout the city and walking for extended periods of time, • Interested in building a long-term mentoring relationship and being part the collaborative community we are building to support client Backgrounds of interest include: • Science (any discipline), • Music (piano, guitar, violin), • Education, psychology, social work, arts, or related fields Prior experience as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), special education professional, tutor, or mentor is strongly preferred. Schedule & Compensation • $30/hour, • 5–10 hours per week to start, with potential for additional hours over time based on availability, fit, and program needs, • Flexible schedule with generally set weekly hours, • Availability needed between 9:00 am – 8:00 pm, including some evenings and weekends, • Occasional shift changes or substitutions may be required, • Start date flexible, • This is a long-term role with opportunities for increased responsibility and expanded hours for the right candidate. Location • Washington Heights / Inwood (near the A train at 181st Street), • Local applicants strongly preferred; long commutes are not ideal for this role Why This Role Matters This is a collaborative, human-centered position focused on helping a gifted but challenged individual build a meaningful, independent life. It can be deeply rewarding for someone who values patience, growth, and connection—and challenging for someone seeking a conventional tutoring job. We are intentionally building a small, sustainable community of mentors devoted to supporting the client’s development while ensuring the work is meaningful, inspiring and sustainable for everyone involved.
