I think i want to work with special children...?

Question

...only i dont want to teach them, i want to work with young children with early childhood disorders to help children and parents understand what is wrong and to help devise ways to make life easier and more manageable for the family, and to help the child develop as normally as possible, and to try differnt techniques with younger children that allow them to function normally....my question is what degree would i need and what the job title would be for this and how much money could i make (i will definitely get my masters degree)

Answer 1

I think you've chosen a very rewarding career path for yourself and I not only commend you, but admire you.  

Before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I worked with the developmentally disabled adults.  There were group homes, a day program and individual living apartments involved.  They also had group homes for the children.  

I was a habilitation specialist, working directly with the clients, according to their behavior & medication plan.  I kept records of daily activities and behaviors.  These records were reviewed by a staff of interventionists:  Psychologists &  ABA therapists, plus other decision team makers.  This team would change the behavior plan depending upon the need as recorded.  The psychologist being the main decision maker.

My point being, there are several positions, other than teachers, that involve interaction with special needs individuals pertaining to their functioning and development.  

A great idea would be to get a summer job at a group home for special needs individuals and see how it works.  More than likely you'll watch a film prior to employment showing procedure, med training, etc.  Show your interest and ask about the different positions in the organization.  

I'd say start with direct care and work up as you study.  This way you have an opportunity to actually work with individuals hands on.  As a psychologist, there is not as much physical interaction, but that's where the money is.  Of course, you can always observe and make changes to plans your own way once you are in that position.  This was one organization I worked for and their way.

Good luck and once again, I admire you greatly!

Answer 2

When I was in high school I worked with disabled children. I am now 30 yrs old and when I see them out somewhere they still remember me! I felt that I helped them in some way! Good luck in your career choice.

Answer 3

Since you already plan to earn a master's degree, check out being a speech-language pathologist.

At the end of a 20-year career, I was making $75,000/yr, but I retired 7 years ago.

Some of the most wonderful things about it are:

Flexibility in settings -you'll never get bored.

The ease of switching to part-time or per diem when you want to have a family.

The ease in finding a job. I was never out of work longer than a week.

Look up asha.org for more info on the professions in the field of communicative disorders.

Salary.com will tell you about the current salary conditions.

Answer 4

early childhood development programs would be a place to start. I would suggest a degree in psychology and possibly work as a pediatric physical therapist. there are so many different titles out there. See a career counselor about this.

Answer 5

Developmental Psychology!!! I graduated yesterday :):) good luck!! - that is University

There are a lot of community college courses that allow you to work with kids, like intensive behavioural intervention (IBI), but if you want the big bucks, go for University.

Answer 6

You would definately need to take all and any classes dealing with child development, especially including a class on Developmental Disabilities. Your job title would be Special Development Teacher. No matter what, you are a teacher, and will be expected to engage a child in developmentally appropriate curriculum and play activity, thus you are teaching. Early Childhood Development Degree is needed. You also need to get your Teaching Credentials. You have to prove to the state that along with experience in the years required for such a title, you also have the education. Legally, this is required, and enables you to receive licensing from the state to care for such delicate children. I think you definately put out a lot of money for the education, but isn't it worth it for the sake of a child being able to thrive?

Answer 7

golly heck! don't we all. you know -- people, people who need people?

Answer 8

Very commendable.  You're need to go to college and maybe apply to your local child welfare department and become a case worker.

Answer 9

You may want to consider the field of Behavior Analysis. It is wide open at this moment and the need for Certified Behavior Analysts has never been higher. What is really the best part is that Applied Behavior Analysis actually works.

I have been a Behavior Analyst for a school district for the past 6 years and in that time I have created positive behavior change for children. It is very satisfying to use techniques that work so well and so positively.

Pay for Behavior Analysts is quite high, especially if you work privately. I could get more than I do working for a school district, but with my teaching skills, it makes for the best setting for my expertise. There are many agencies that hire Behavior Analysts as well.

The University of South Florida has a highly rated program that leads to a Master's degree. Could be a worse place to go to college! Also, I believe the University of North Texas also had the program. There are many others, but I can personally recommend USF.

Answer 10

It sounds like you want to be involved more in the physiciatric forms of things. If this is what you are wanting to go for as far as your career I would recommend a Doctoral degree but you can definitely get away with a Master's degree as well. If you get a Master's you will probably be earning around $60,000 a year maybe less. If you get a Doctoral then you could get as much as $75,000.

Answer 11

Sorry to burst your bubble--but that kind of approach isn't needed--or wanted--by people with disabilities.

Young children with disabilities need to be TAUGHT--not "managed."  You want to help them develop normally--then make what accomodations are necessary and treat them like other children in every other way.

If you can't or won't do that--do people--and children--with disabilities a favor and pick another career.

Answer 12

I did exactly this for 10 years before I got burned out...so I quit to start a family and my son is now 5 with autism.  You should get a degree in social services such as psychology or sociology.  Occupational therapy is also a good degree to get to allow you to work with children, their families and diagnosis them.  Special education is the obvious answer, but I think you'd be happier working as an occupational therapist or a behavioral specialist.  With a master's degree you should make between 34,000- 55,000 depending on where you work.  Good luck to you...this field needs lots of people who want to be in it instead of the people who just need a job so I hope you fulfill your dreams.

Answer 13

There are several options. Early intervetion includes psychology, special education, occuptional therapy, physical therapy and spech therapy. If any of those areas interest you, go for it. You might want to contact a local person in your area who does these kinds of services and see if you can observe for a couple of hours or even a day, to see f you REALLY like it. Most schools will allow you time to do this as a career exploration thing.

Answer 14

early childhood intervention. You should have one locally  so check them out.

Answer 15

Your best bet would be to get a MSW- masters in social work. This would allow you to work in a variety of settings after you get licensed.