How can I work with disabled children without obtaining a college degree?

Question

I want to work with multi-disabled children but do not have and cannot afford a college degree. Are there any careers that only require a certification or training?

Answer 1

There are many ways to work with kids without a diploma. You won't get paid as much, and probably won't get as much respect from established professionals, but the kids and parents will love you regardless.

Some things have already been presented, teacher's aides are always in short supply, and the home health care is definitely the best suggestion I've seen. There are a lot of parents who have home educational programs, I'm thinking specifically ABA for autistic children. If they have a primary therapist designing the program, then very often they need people to become trained to work the program. The parents I know have paid the workers to become trained and then pay an hourly wage to work with the autistic children.

You  might also look into respite care. Parents of diabled children always need a break, and it is so  hard to find someone willing to stay with our kids. We found someone through Seeking Sitters who is just awesome, she doesn't just watch the kids, she is down playing with them, learnign more about their disability, doing some of their work with them. There are specific care centers for disabled children, so I'd check out "Yellow pages for disabilities" for more ideas on who to contact for ideas. http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/

Just getting started at the lowest rung and working your way up, you'll be doing what you love and proving that college degrees aren't necessary for bringing happiness.

Answer 2

A place to start may be the school district in your area.  Ask them what qualifications you need to work as a support worker in their schools.  They may offer training.

In some jurisdictions Departments of Social Services offer training as home support workers to people interested in working with people with disabilities.

See if you can become qualified in areas such as First Aid, as that may help you get a job in your area of interest.  

Mainly begin asking questions and investigating what is possible in your own area.  Possibly begin by volunteering, and often such efforts can lead to other work opportunities.  Best of luck.

Answer 3

Work as a substitute teacher or substitute paraprofessional.   I did sub para for awhile.  BUT I must warn you.   Its very hard for a child who is handicapped to adjust to someone new in their environment.

They sometimes they get very physical and may hurt you or others in the room.

Answer 4

You can absoultely not be a special education teacher without having a college degree as the bare mimimum requirement for this is a Bachelor's degree, however, you can become a para-professional or a teacher aide which usually only require a high school diploma and maybe a couple vocational training classes. Hope things work out for you!

Answer 5

There are two ways that I personally can think of.  You could take a STNA class at a technical college.  When I took that class it was only 2 months long and $250.  After you complete the course you could take the state test and get your STNA title or not take the state test and work as a Home Health Aide.  I worked as a Home Health Aide and I had many children as patients.  It was the most rewarding job ever.  Being a Home Health Aide you could also take care of the elderly if you so chose to go that route as well.  Another idea would be to see if there are any job openings for classroom assistants at your local MRDD schools/centers.  Both of these ideas require little training.  Hope this helps some!

Answer 6

Schools, group homes, state schools, all offer what you are looking for. I would check into all and find out who has the best educational reimbursement. Do what you like while working on a degree. Also check with the state colleges and universities, some have great programs for areas of need.

Answer 7

You can be a teacher's assistant (TA) or 1:1 aide at a school for kids with multiple disabilities... they are always hiring. You usually only need a high school diploma. On top of that, you usually get benefits... which include tuition reimbursement. You have to front the money, and you get it back after the semester. The job itself doesn't pay much (10.00-12.00 and hour), but maybe this will meet your needs in other areas.

You can also work in a group home or behavioral unit for kids with autism as a 1:1... again, they usually have tuition reimbursement.

Without a degree, though, you probably won't move up the ladder too much.

Answer 8

Don't think you can, even to work as an instructional aide you need quite a few college units and usually a two year degree.  It really doesn't cost very much to go to a community college and financial aid is available.  The No Child Left Behind Act meant more requirements on being an instructional aide.  At the schools they really do need people who have an education beyond H.S.  You might be able to help a family out who has a disabled child kind of like a babysitter.  I work as a substitute instructional aide in California but also have BA, AA, and AS degrees.