Special Needs Personal Trainer
ASD & Pediatric Focus | Part-Time Independent Contractor
Company: Let’sTalkMe Inc.
Position: Special Needs Personal Trainer
Position Type: Part-Time Independent Contractor
Work Model: In-Person / Mobile
Compensation: Starting at $40/hour for 1-on-1 client sessions, with additional earning and growth opportunities
Locations: Kingston, North York, Mississauga, Leaside/Toronto, Ottawa, Burlington, Markham, Oakville, Waterloo, Whitby, and surrounding service areas
About Let’sTalkMe Inc.
Let’sTalkMe Inc. provides specialized exercise, rehabilitation, and wellness services for individuals with diverse physical, neurological, developmental, and behavioural needs.
We believe movement and exercise can be powerful tools for developing physical ability, confidence, independence, participation, and quality of life.
We are expanding our team and looking for passionate Personal Trainers who want to use their knowledge of exercise and human performance to make a meaningful difference in people's lives.
The primary focus of this position is working with children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and related developmental or behavioural needs.
Our broader client population may also include individuals with neurological conditions, individuals participating in rehabilitation following motor vehicle accidents (MVA), and, on occasion, neurotypical clients seeking personal training and wellness services.
This is not a traditional gym-floor personal training position. Our trainers work directly within clients' environments and adapt exercise programming to each individual's abilities, goals, limitations, communication style, behaviour, interests, and circumstances.
The Role
The Special Needs Personal Trainer provides individualized and adaptive exercise programming to assigned Let’sTalkMe Inc. clients.
Services are primarily delivered in person and within the community.
Depending on the client or program, sessions may take place:
- At the client's home;
- At another location mutually agreed upon with the client or their family;
- At a facility operated by one of Let’sTalkMe Inc.'s partners;
- At a school, community centre, fitness facility, aquatic facility, or other approved location; or
- At another location established for a specific Let’sTalkMe Inc. program.
Because of the mobile nature of the position, candidates must be comfortable travelling to clients within the geographic area for which they are hired.
Who You Will Work With
Our primary population for this position is:
Children and youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related developmental or behavioural needs.
Our secondary client populations may include:
- Individuals with neurological conditions;
- Individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities;
- Individuals requiring adaptive exercise programming;
- Motor vehicle accident rehabilitation clients;
- Individuals with physical or cognitive limitations;
- Individuals requiring individualized strength, mobility, coordination, or physical literacy support; and
- Neurotypical personal training clients when appropriate.
Client assignments will depend on the Contractor's education, certifications, experience, competence, geographic location, availability, and the individual needs of each client.
Core Responsibilities
The Personal Trainer may be responsible for:
- Delivering safe, engaging, and individualized personal training sessions;
- Developing and implementing exercise programs based on client goals, abilities, needs, and limitations;
- Adapting exercises and activities for children with ASD and other developmental needs;
- Using exercise and movement to support strength, coordination, balance, mobility, endurance, physical literacy, confidence, and functional ability;
- Creating sessions that are engaging and developmentally appropriate for children and youth;
- Adjusting communication, instruction, exercises, and session structure according to the individual;
- Supporting positive participation and engagement with physical activity;
- Working collaboratively and professionally with parents, guardians, caregivers, and other individuals involved in the client's support;
- Following relevant recommendations or restrictions established by regulated healthcare professionals where applicable;
- Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries;
- Tracking completed client sessions and working hours using Company-provided systems and templates;
- Completing required client documentation accurately and within established timelines;
- Using Company-approved systems, including Google Drive, email, documentation templates, and other platforms where applicable;
- Maintaining client confidentiality and appropriately handling personal information;
- Communicating relevant client concerns, incidents, injuries, or significant changes to Let’sTalkMe Inc.;
- Representing Let’sTalkMe Inc. professionally when working within clients' homes, partner facilities, schools, and community settings; and
- Following Company policies, safety procedures, professional standards, and scope-of-practice requirements.
Required Qualifications
Applicants must:
- Hold a valid Personal Training Certification, and First Aid and CPR/AED certification from a recognized organization;
- Be willing and able to travel to assigned clients within their agreed service area;
- Be willing to obtain and provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check after receiving a conditional offer and before beginning client-facing services;
- Maintain appropriate professional liability insurance before beginning service delivery;
- Be legally eligible to work and provide contracted services in Ontario;
- Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, strong communication skills, and appropriate professional boundaries;
- Be comfortable working independently in clients' homes, partner facilities, schools, aquatic facilities, and community environments where applicable;
- Be comfortable communicating and collaborating with parents, guardians, caregivers, and Company personnel;
- Be willing to work primarily during weekday afternoons and evenings, according to client demand; and
- Be potentially available for weekend mornings depending on client and program needs.
Applicants who are currently completing an undergraduate degree should normally be in their third or fourth year of study.
Preferred Education
A completed bachelor's degree is preferred.
We particularly welcome applicants with education or training in:
- Psychology;
- Neuropsychology;
- Kinesiology;
- Neuroscience;
- Cognitive Science;
- Behavioural Science;
- Behavioural Therapy or Applied Behaviour Analysis-related fields;
- Child Psychology or Child Development;
- Sports Science;
- Exercise Science;
- Health Science;
- Pedagogy or Education;
- Recreation and Leisure Studies; or
- Related health, behavioural, developmental, rehabilitation, sport, or human-performance disciplines.
A master's degree or higher in a relevant discipline is considered an asset.
Equivalent combinations of education, professional training, certifications, coaching experience, and relevant practical experience may also be considered.
Additional Certifications & Specialized Skills
Let’sTalkMe Inc. welcomes applicants who bring additional professional, coaching, sport, aquatic, fitness, or recreational qualifications.
Additional certifications are considered valuable assets and may create opportunities to participate in specialized programs beyond traditional 1-on-1 personal training.
Examples include:
- Certified Swim Instructor;
- Lifesaving or aquatic instruction certifications;
- Sport-specific coaching certifications;
- Strength and Conditioning certifications;
- Adaptive fitness or adaptive sport certifications;
- Youth fitness certifications;
- Behavioural or developmental support training;
- Mobility, flexibility, or corrective exercise certifications; and
- Other recognized health, fitness, recreation, rehabilitation, or coaching credentials.
Candidates who are certified coaches or instructors in a particular sport are encouraged to apply and identify their area of specialization.
Sport and activity backgrounds may include:
- Swimming;
- Soccer;
- Basketball;
- Hockey;
- Track and field / running;
- Tennis;
- Volleyball;
- Martial arts;
- Gymnastics;
- Strength and conditioning; or
- Other individual or team sports.
These additional qualifications may create opportunities to participate in sport-specific, aquatic, school, community, group, workshop, or specialized programming as Let’sTalkMe Inc. continues to grow.
All services must remain within the individual's qualifications, certifications, competence, insurance coverage, and lawful scope of practice.
Preferred Experience
The ideal candidate has experience in one or more of the following:
- Working with children and youth;
- Working with individuals with ASD;
- Supporting individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities;
- Adaptive physical activity;
- Behavioural support;
- Pediatric exercise;
- Strength and conditioning;
- Neurological populations;
- Rehabilitation-oriented exercise;
- Motor development;
- Physical literacy;
- Sport coaching;
- Aquatic instruction;
- Working collaboratively with parents and caregivers; or
- Community-based personal training.
Previous experience working with children is preferred.
Direct experience working with ASD populations is considered a strong asset.
Experience working with individuals with neurological conditions is also preferred.
Who We Are Looking For
Qualifications matter, but so does the person behind them.
We are looking for individuals who are:
- Passionate about exercise, health, movement, and human performance;
- Genuinely interested in working with children and individuals with diverse needs;
- Motivated by making a positive impact on people's lives;
- Patient and adaptable;
- Empathetic while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries;
- Creative when traditional exercise approaches are not effective;
- Comfortable modifying sessions in real time;
- Reliable, punctual, and organized;
- Effective communicators;
- Comfortable interacting with families and caregivers;
- Willing to learn and develop professionally;
- Able to work independently while remaining part of a larger team; and
- Excited by the opportunity to help individuals develop their abilities and confidence through movement.
For many of our clients, success is not simply lifting more weight or completing more repetitions.
Success may mean learning a new movement, improving coordination, becoming stronger, participating for longer, developing confidence, engaging with another person, becoming more independent, participating in a sport, or discovering that physical activity can be enjoyable.
We are looking for professionals who understand and value that difference.
Schedule & Seasonal Availability
This is a part-time independent contractor position.
Hours are based on client demand, geographic availability, successful client matching, and program requirements. A minimum number of hours or clients is not guaranteed.
Because many of our clients are school-aged, most appointments take place during weekday afternoons and evenings.
Weekend morning opportunities may also be available according to client and program demand.
Candidates should understand that scheduling may fluctuate throughout the year.
Because many clients follow the academic calendar, schedules and demand may change during:
- Summer vacation;
- Winter/holiday break;
- March/Spring Break;
- School holidays;
- Family vacations; and
- Other seasonal periods.
During these periods, session times, frequency, days, and overall demand may increase, decrease, or temporarily change.
Flexibility is therefore an important part of this position.
Compensation & Growth Opportunities
Compensation for 1-on-1 personal training starts at $40 per hour.
Additional compensation and professional opportunities may be available through:
- Semi-private training;
- Group programming;
- School programs;
- Aquatic programming;
- Sport-specific programming;
- Workshops;
- Community programs;
- Specialized projects;
Compensation for services outside standard 1-on-1 personal training may vary according to the applicable program or project.
Our goal is to provide opportunities for strong team members to grow their:
- Client roster;
- Professional experience;
- Specialized programming;
Current Recruitment Areas
Let’sTalkMe Inc. is particularly interested in candidates who can provide services within or around:
- Kingston
- North York
- Mississauga
- Leaside / Toronto
- Ottawa
- Burlington
- Markham
- Oakville
- Waterloo
- Whitby
Applicants are not expected to service every listed region.
Candidates should identify the geographic area or areas they are willing and able to serve.
Because this is a mobile position, reliable access to transportation appropriate for the candidate's service area is strongly preferred.
Conditions Prior to Client Assignment
Successful candidates may be required to provide or complete the following before receiving client assignments:
- Proof of valid Personal Training Certification;
- Proof of appropriate professional liability insurance;
- Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check;
- Proof of additional certifications relevant to assigned services;
- Valid First Aid and CPR/AED certification
- Contractor onboarding documentation;
- Company privacy, confidentiality, and policy acknowledgements; and
- Required orientation or training.
Client assignments will be based on appropriate matching between the trainer's qualifications, experience, certifications, availability, location, and the individual client's needs.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can send an email to [email protected] with the following information:
- A current résumé;
- Personal Training Certification information;
- Relevant education and academic background;
- Additional professional, sport, coaching, aquatic, behavioural, or fitness certifications;
- Geographic location and the areas they are willing to service;
- A brief introduction explaining their interest in working with children and individuals with special needs.
Candidates with direct experience in ASD, developmental disabilities, neurological populations, behavioural support, adaptive exercise, pediatric populations, sport coaching, or aquatic instruction are encouraged to highlight this experience in their application.
Join Let’sTalkMe Inc.
We are looking for professionals who want their work to mean something.
If you are passionate about movement, enjoy working with people, are interested in understanding the individual behind the exercise program, and want to use your skills to positively influence someone's health, confidence, independence, and quality of life, we would like to hear from you.
Let’sTalkMe Inc. is committed to professional, individualized, inclusive, and meaningful exercise services.
Pay: From $40.00 per hour
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Experience:
- personal training: 1 year (preferred)
Language:
Licence/Certification:
- Certified Personal Trainer (required)
- First Aid Certification (required)
- CPR Certification (required)
Location:
Work Location: On the road
