How to get through the rough patches of being a Special Ed Teacher?

Question

I am a special education teacher (1 on 1) at a private school strictly for children with severe autism. This is my first job in the special education field since graduating college, and I've been at the school I work at for approximately one year. I absolutely love my job - my students are extremely precious to me and watching the small strides they make towards success and general understanding is one of life's greatest gifts.

Recently, I've been especially overwhelmed. I've been working a great deal with a wonderful, yet extremeley challenging child. He is so very intelligent but also extremeley aggressive. I've been going home with severe bites and bruises all over my body nearly every day. It's hard to vent to friends and family that don't work with me because they really don't seem to fully understand.

Lately, I've been on the verge of tears every time I go home from work. I really just want some advice from those who understand this field and have any words of advice.

Answer 1

I feel your pain. I too work in this field. It is way stressful than your friends or family could ever imagine. The best place to vent is with other co-workers that may work with this child. I need not remind you that you have an obligation to not discuss your children's problems with everyone. That is breaking privacy laws set to protect. I know the stress you are under. Children with autism can get very aggressive. I have found that in dealing with these children you really need to know what triggers the behaviors the most. In doing that you may prevent an episode before it becomes an issue. Also talk to the child's parents and ask them if they have found any calming solutions to their child's behavior that works at home. Try to incorporate a few of those things in the school setting. If the child is at ease with a favorite toy let them know they can have a few minutes to play with it if they change the behavior. I bought Cd players for my students to listen to as a reward for good behavior. Autistic children have been known to be soothed by music. These are only suggestions. You have chosen a very noble profession and congratulations on that. In time you will begin to feel more at ease with these children and find creative ways to get their attention and calm some of the problematic behavior.  Be sure to take time for you and pamper yourself. Don't forget why you wanted to work with these children. A happy teacher is the best teacher. I wish you the best of luck. sip some tea and reflect.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I have been working with people with special needs for most of my life, starting with the birth of my sister in 1965.  I got my special ed credential in 1975.  I completely understand why you love your job - I have been loving mine for more than 30 years!

It is incredibly draining to work with children who are assaultive, and it is even harder when your friends and family don't really understand the work that you do.  I would have 2 suggestions for you:

1) Find a forum where you can discuss the realities of your life as a special education teacher.  In my case, I have 2 incredible assistants, and we are our own support group.  I also have a network of friends and colleagues to meet with.  It's very important for your own state of mind to be able to express your feelings, both positive and negative, to a peer group.  It's not healthy for anyone to feel psychologically alone.

2) For the sake of your student, as well as for the benefit of you and anyone else who interacts with this child, develop a positive behavior intervention plan for the student.  Misbehavior is a form of communication, and it's important to find out what the student is communicating, and then to teach him a more appropriate way of getting his needs met.  In order to best support the student in achieving a satisfying adult life, we need to help him learn the behaviors that will make him accepted in mainstream society.  So please look at his inappropriate and hurtful behaviors as an opportunity for him to learn a better way of communicating, and don't accept it as inevitable because of his disability.

We need young and dedicated people to enter into the profession of special education.  Please seek the guidance and support that will assist you to make this a satisying and long-term career.

Answer 4

Those of us who work in alternative education know what you mean.  It's difficult to ignore some of those emotions we feel, yet we at all times must present ourselves as professional to our students.  In a word, I know what the problem is; it's called "stress."  Here's some ways I deal with it:

1.  I keep a journal to write all my feelings and emotions.  This gives me an opportunity to let everything out in a positive manner; it gives me much release.

2.  I list 5 things every day that I'm grateful for.  This has been shown by research to boost happiness level.

3.  I see to it I exercise 3-4 times weekly... and this really helps a lot.  My doctor told me it's the best way to avoid Prozac!