A certified autism specialist (CAS) is someone who works in the field of autism and has undergone additional highly specialized training and passed a competency exam to be certified by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). To become a CAS, a person must work directly in the autism field providing support or services to people with autism and also have a high level of schooling and direct experience.
A wide variety of professionals work in the autism field and can become certified autism specialists, including those in education, the mental health and medical fields, and direct support personnel. The salary for a CAS is higher than professionals without the certification and will depend on the job itself and the location.
Certified Autism Specialist Jobs
To become a CAS, you must first have at least two years of work experience offering services or support to people with autism. You must also have a master’s degree in a related field. If you have 10 or more years of experience and a bachelor’s degree, the master’s degree requirement is waived. A CAS must go through a specific training program and pass the IBCCES Autism Competency Exam to become board certified.
A CAS can work in a variety of fields, including the following professions:
- General education teacher
- Special education teacher
- Paraeducator
- Substitute teacher
- School counselor
- Behavioral therapist
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Medical doctor
- Physical therapist
- Autism support personnel
- Occupational therapist
- Speech and language pathologist
- Social worker
- Registered nurses
- School nurses
- Health and human development educators
The CAS certification can boost your annual salary by demonstrating dedication and commitment to your field and can offer you more opportunities for career growth and advancement. A CAS will typically earn salaries on the higher end of the salary range for the particular field and profession. A CAS must recertify every two years and go through continuing education (CE) to stay relevant in the field and updated with current research and information regarding how to best support individuals with autism and their families.
There are a few main career fields for certified autism specialist jobs:
Educational Field
Many people who obtain a CAS certification work in the education field. This can include a range of teachers, administrators, and others directly supporting individuals with autism. Since the CAS certification is optional and something you do on top of your general schooling and professional development, it shows a higher level of devotion to the autism field, thus enhancing your reputation with parents, coworkers, and employers.
As of May 2020, the median annual wage for a special education teacher in the United States was $61,420. The top 10% earned more than $100,000. As a CAS you can end up at the higher end of this salary range. Salaries for teachers also depend on your school district and location. General education teachers typically make less than specialized teachers. Paraeducators and substitute teachers often make a daily rate based on the district they work in and can often obtain a higher wage with a specialized certification such as a CAS.
A CAS who works directly in the classroom can include general education teachers, special education teachers, paraeducators, and substitute teachers. To become a CAS as an educator, you need 10 years of experience in the field along with your bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in education, special education, early childhood education, human development, or a related field.
Medical & Mental Health Support
Another common career area for a CAS is in the medical or mental health field. This can include doctors and nurses, therapists, and anyone who has direct contact working with people with autism. As a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, autism can require a lot of support from a variety of trained professionals.
For example, someone with autism is likely supported directly through speech and occupational therapists as well as behavioral therapists and medical doctors. Each of these professionals can also become a CAS to not only learn how to further support their patients but also as a method for career and salary advancement.
Salary ranges for medical and mental health professionals are based on the profession and location. For instance, a physician has a doctoral degree and makes a median annual salary of over $200,000. An occupational therapist holds an undergraduate degree and specialized accreditation and the annual salary ranges from nearly $90,000 to more than $100,000, depending on the industry and location of the job.
Additional median annual salaries for mental health and medical professions supporting individuals with autism include the following:
- Speech and language pathologist — just over $80,000
- Psychologist — a little over $80,000
- Social worker — just above $50,000, more with a master’s degree
- Behavioral therapist — ranges from near $30,000 to closer to $80,000 depending on degree held, field of practice, and type of practitioner
- Registered nurse — around $75,000
Support Personnel
There are several career opportunities open for autism support staff in various professions. This can include a one-on-one support person, an autism consultant, or people working as autism advocacy personnel, often for a nonprofit organization.
These professions often do not earn as high of salaries as professionals in the education, medical, or mental health field; however, they also do not require as much schooling or training.
A home health care aid, for instance, only needs a high school diploma and makes a median annual salary of nearly $30,000. Higher education is needed to obtain a CAS. This can increase the salary range as well. A rehabilitation counselor can help a person with autism live independently, and this career typically requires a master’s degree and earns a median annual salary of close to $40,000. A CAS certification can increase the salary range and the ability to gain clients.
References
About. (2020). International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
Certified Autism Specialist (CAS). Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide.
Areas of Autism Competency. (2020). International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
IBCCES Autism Competency Exam Description. (2020). International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
Certified Autism Specialist (CAS). Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide.
Special Education Teachers. (April 2021). United States Department of Labor U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Physicians and Surgeons. (April 2021). United States Department of Labor U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. (April 2021). United States Department of Labor U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Speech-Language Pathologists. (April 2021). United States Department of Labor U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Psychologists. (April 2021). United States Department of Labor U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Social Workers. (April 2021). United States Department of Labor U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Registered Nurses. (April 2021). United States Department of Labor U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Healthcare Occupations. (April 2021). United States Department of Labor U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Rehabilitation Counselors. (April 2021). United States Department of Labor U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
