Career working with kids with special needs?

Question

what colleges are good for this? and what is the income usually.

Answer 1

You could go to any college and get a teaching degree/credential with emphasis on special education. You could be a special ed teacher or special ed teacher aide. We all know how "well" teachers get paid.

Another option you could do is what I did. There are agencies that provide behavior intervention services in classroom/home settings to children with autism, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, or other special ed needs. I was basically a "shadow" for a child at school, following him everywhere. I stepped in when he was being disruptive and taught him what's appropriate/inappropriate in the classroom. If he didn't listen, then there are appropriate rewards/consequences. On top of this, I helped him with his homework and showed him how to play nicely with others, how to initiate social contact, and how to pay attention in class. It's not an easy job at all, and it's not very well compensated. I got a BA in psychology for that, and the pay scale for similar agencies in the Los Angeles area was around $12-20 an hour, which is c**p considering my BA and the price of living in LA. However, you do get rewarded when you see the kid you're working with improve and learn/grow from you. Otherwise, that's pretty much it. That's why I quit after a year and went back to school for my doctorate. It wasn't worth it to me.

Working with that population takes a very special person. It takes a lot of patience, and you have to deal with a lot of bureaucracy. You're also not very well paid. However, I have met some fantastic special ed teachers who like what they do because they truly feel like they make a difference and really love those kids. You'll have to decide if it's for you because it's really not for everybody. Good luck.

Answer 2

depends what you want to do where you live and if it is for the rewards usually working with young people and with special needs the money is not good usually low wage are there a bouts unless you are specialised in a particular field of expertness

but it will be best to go speak to a local council advisor or you college see what they have to offer you good luck Dave

Answer 3

Any good state college that has special ed in their education college is sufficient.  I graduated from UNLV.  They are pretty good and the job outlook in Las Vegas for sped teachers is excellent.  The income depends on the state you live in.  You have to shop around.  The bad news:  you make a teacher's salary which is disgracefully low compared to what you contribute as a good teacher helping to create decent human beings for society.  The good news:  you will never be out of a job....you will know that you are giving back to the community....you will pay off every karmic debt you ever made....you can find another job in any state in the us or even abroad in less than a week.  If you want to live in Hawaii, you can.  Manhattan, yes.  LA....yes...Alaska....pick a place and you will have a job.  I think its worth it- I love being a special ed teacher and so will you.