Do Special Education Teachers have to assist the kids w/ sever disabilitys with bathroom breaks and eating?

Question

I'm thinking about becoming a Special Education Teacher. I know there are different levels of disabilities kids have- from mild/moderate to sever. I like the idea of helping these kids as a teacher academically, but wonder if in reality a lot of Special Ed Teachers end up becoming sort of care givers during school hours. Do they have to change dippers, assist children in wheel chairs with the bathroom or hand feed kids during lunch who can't feed themselves. This aspect of Teaching Special Ed. doesn't appeal to me as much because its more of a nurse position than a teacher. When I think of Special Education I usually think of remedial kids, or kids with attention problems that need extra help- but I also know that into the special education class are put kids with sever mental and physical disabilities. Can anyone shed some light on this matter- of what is expected of Special Education Teachers?

Answer 1

Since your screen name is UCSD, I am going to guess that you are in California.  There are many differences from state to state, in terms of the way special ed services are provided as well as the funding available.  I have taught special education in 3 states, with the past 12 years in California.  I have a Multiple Subject (regular ed) credential and a Specialist Credential for Severely Handicapped.  (The current equivalent would be the Moderate to Severe Credential)  And yes, I absolutely change diapers and feed kids, including kids who need to be fed via gastrostomy tubes.  I have teaching assistants who do much of the "dirty work," if you want to call it that, but I would never expect them to do things that I don't also do. The people who are saying that kids with self-care needs would get a dedicated aide must live somewhere other than California - that would be rare in most CA schools, unless the student is in a full inclusion setting.

In my current class of 11, the kids range in ability level from nonverbal and not toilet trained to a child with autism who has a high cognitive level but some very maladaptive social behaviors as well as difficulties in communication.   But I love my job!  It's sometimes aggravating and exhausting, but it's never ever boring, and the kids are some of the most interesting and endearing people you could ever hope to meet.

If you are more interested in working with kids who need remedial help, consider a Mild/ Moderate credential, or consider becoming a Resource Specialist, Full Inclusion Specialist, or Reading Specialist.  There are a lot of ways of working with students who have special educational needs.  Before you make up your mind, call your local school district and tell them that you have an interest in becoming a special education teacher and would like the opportunity to visit different kinds of special education classes.  I am always happy to have college students visit my class and to answer their questions, and I know many of my colleagues are, too.  Get a first-hand look at your options before deciding.

Answer 2

Depends on the school board  policies or the individual school policies.  Educational assistants are usually available for the severely disabled students, but with cut backs that's not always the norm anymore.

Having been an intinerant special ed teacher and a regular special ed teacher I'd say to you you never know what the circumstances will be. I had a student who was echolalic and blind and severely autistic, he really couldn't participate in the classroom activities.

I also had a non verbal child with anger issues who kicked desks over  and students and me when he didn't get his way.

A friend of mine , her husband permanently injured his back picking up a student who was severely disabled and who was having a temper tantrum.

So decide if you reallly really want to work with severely disabled children. Not all special ed teachers have to, special ed teachers can be for the blind , for general learning disabilities, for deaf students and then for the severely physically disabled.

Each type of teacher has different qualifications in Ontario and Canada he/she must take depending on the specialization.

Why not work in a summer camp for disabled children this summer to see how you cope with severely disabled children and if it is something you really think you want to do.

Answer 3

I am currently an assistant of the special ed teacher and from what I was told that the teacher's do not have to help with the changing of the diapers and what not. But there is a good possibility that you will have a class like this within your years of bing in special ed

Answer 4

I am a PPCD teacher and have been for 8 years.  There has not been a year in which I am not toilet training or assisting in feeding.  This is not always written into the IEP, due to developmental levels and prerequisite skills.  I have students ranging from very mildly disabled to those who are more severe.  It's all academic for this age group, since these skills are necessary for independent living and functionality in General Education.

I also currently have 2 students who are in wheelchairs.  One needs constant support in order to perform daily tasks, yet is academically on level.  The other student has some independent mobility, and is also learning how to use a walker.  He is toilet trained, but still needs support.  The toilet training was a big accomplishment this year since in August he was terrified to go into the bathroom.

As a Special Educator, you are responsible for academics as well as self-help skills, depending on the students individual needs.

Answer 5

It depends on which population of SPED students you are interested in working with. There certainly are plenty of students who do not need "nursing-type care", and would benefit from your educational instruction. I would recommend that you focus on older students (above age 7) and students with mild/moderate disabilities, such as speech/language disorders and learning disabilities. If you do have a class of severe students, it is necessary to meet their needs, in terms of self-help skills, so you would probably prefer not to work with that group of students.

Answer 6

Yes, sometimes you will have to change dippers.  My aunt used to be a special education teacher, and I remember she would have to change a students dipper.  Some of these kids really cant do things themselves so you would have to help them.  You probably wouldn't have too many cases like this, but you probably will have someone like that at some point.

Answer 7

Yes, as a teacher, you are considered to be a parent while they are absent.  You will need to change diapers, feed children (with or without tubing), assist with injections,  change clothing, clean spit-up etc.   Now one thing to consider, children in the regular classroom have these problems less and, often but not always, will have an assitant assigned to do these things.  However, it is not always the case and even if they do, when the assistant is out or quits, it is the teacher's responsibility to care for the child.  More often, children have significant physical disabilities or are on the autistic spectrum and need assistance daily.  If it something that totally turns your stomach, you might want to look at something in speech therapy or counseling.  Best wishes to you!

Answer 8

Usually when the child is severely disabled, they are assigned a dedicated aide who takes care of all their physical needs.  You, as the Special Ed Teacher, will take care of their mental needs.

Best wishes!

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Veronica,

I have NEVER heard of a teacher changing a students diaper!  I worked as an aide with mentally challenged students for 4 years, and the student's physical needs were always taken care of by their dedicated (that means each student had their own aide) aide.

Answer 9

Yes. You will have to change diapers, assist children who use wheelchairs to the bathroom, and hand feed children. I have seen my child's teachers do this during the years that my child was in the Special Education public school system.  

ALL Special Education Teachers need to BE COMMITTED in being the BEST TEACHER for their students which will include changing diapers, assisting children who use wheelchairs to the bathroom, and hand feeding children.    

I sense that you really do not want to do these types of activities concerning the children in the classroom. I would suggest that you consider another job career.

Answer 10

Absolutely. My mum used to do that years ago, and it included inserting/changing catheters.

Every job has bits that people hate, though - I used to love working behind a bar, yet mopping up blood and vomit wasn't a high point. You just get on with it.

Answer 11

Yes.  Two of my friends are special ed teachers, and they change diapers and feed some of their children every day.

They also have to help others use the toilet, get dressed, and keep up with the ones who are violent or who try to escape and are physically capable.

It depends on where you live, I think.

Try to actually visit a classroom like this before you do this, VERY few people can handle this stress and the children need adults who can.

Answer 12

Depends on the disability. As a teacher you may have to assist them with meals. It won't always be hand feeding though. You could be helping them to hold a spoon or a cup. This is more likely to be with students who are physically disabled. You may have to monitor the food they are given. Such as give them one peice at a time even if they can do it themselves (this is probably more likely to be for children with an intellectual disability.)

I'm not sure about the diapers. That would probably be more the Aide's area. As someone needs to be with the students at all times. but if a student uses a hoist to get out of their wheelchair etc then you may need to assist with this aspect if you are the only two staff in the room and there are no staff whose specific job it is to do toileting. (this happens in some schools where there are a lot of students who need assistance during toileting or wear diapers)

Answer 13

it depends on the program you teach- if you teach  a severe and profound class it is almost a guarentee that there will be a few kids who need bathroom assistance, and possibly some who are on puree diets who need help eating, but more so you will need to help with cutting food, and with pacing because a lot of them eat excessively fast. with mild/moderate kids this would not happen as frequently, most of those kids are able to be taught to use the toilet and can handle a lot more on their own- I wouldn't encourage anyone to work as a special ed teacher without getting at least 6mos- a year experience as either a special ed assistant- or as a care staff for a group home- there is a lot to it

Answer 14

Special education in public schools is goverened by federal law IDEA.

It states that in order for teachers to do these things, they have to specifically be written into the childs IEP plan.

If something is not written into IEP plan, the school doesn't have to do it.

Schools do not legally have to provide any type of special help unless the child is in special ed and the help is written into the IEP plan.

For example, if a child needs help with eating, the school does NOT have to help with this UNLESS this help is written into the IEP plan that the school is suppose to help with this.

Answer 15

There are different kinds of special education teaching jobs.  Some special education teachers work with very young or very handicapped children.  Lots of these students require the kind of physical assistance you are not interested in.   These students have "low-incidence" handicaps---there aren't a lot of them, compared to the rest of the population.   Someone has to provide that assistance, but it might not be the teacher.  It might be an assistant or nurse, or physical therapist.   These students are typically not learning a lot of academic material either.

Most special education teachers work in general education schools with students with milder handicaps, such as learning disabilities.  These children aren't usually in a "special education class".  They are in a regular class and they receive instruction from a special education teacher for part of the day, either in their regular classroom or in another room, often called a "resource room".  That's the kind of job you are interested in.   So keep that in mind and be sure to get the education for the kind of job you want.  Then get a job that fits what you want to do.

Answer 16

I am a special education teacher-and I have changed diapers---

It depends on the school/class-

often times there will be a 1:3 or 1:2 staff ration and the teacher and aides will share responsibiity for activities of daily living including hygiene and bathroomng

sometimes the student will have a dedicated 1:1 aid-in that case-you won't be assisting taht student unless the aid is absenf and there is no sub-or the sub isn't fmailiar enough with the child-or teh child is large or difficult to maneuver-2 people may be necessary...

In some classes where the most of the students are self sufficient-bathrooming will be handled byan aid or nurse/nursing aid-

In the type of class you are talking about (remedial/LD/attention) you most likely wouldn't be changing diapers or assisting with personal need- studnets in that type of class are generally self sufficient-if the child should have physical disability-then he would probably have a personal aid

ultimately it is up to the school district/building principal who is responsible for personal needs.

special ed certification generlaly applies to the full range of disabilities-you can specialize more at the masters level-

there is need for teachers in the full spectrum of disabilities-

don't decide against it-just because you want to limit yourslef to one section of teh spectrum

Answer 17

yes.. YOU will be responsible for the care and welfare of the child (ren).  You might be lucky enough to work in a system "rich enough" to afford an aide for each student. YOU will still be responsible, and, especially with older (larger) students, you may need to assist the aide sometimes.   Since the idea of "assisting children in wheelchairs or hand feeding kids .... who can't feed themselves" seems to repulse you, don't waste your time (or the kids or the parents) training for a Spec. Ed. teacher.  It takes a special kind of person to do it right, and your attitude screams "not me".

Answer 18

Yes you will - and sometimes you will feed - sometimes there is an aide but you all need to work together.  I have changed diapers,  moved kids into and out of wheelchairs, pureed food in a blender - fed kids taught them how to eat themselves and brushed their teeth - etc etc etc.

It's part of the job.