Pros and Cons of dealing with people with disabilities?

Question

What are the pros and cons of working with mental ill patients? I guess I have only seen "good sides" of them from working in the public and seeing the special education children come to our public school for lunch. I have an opprotunity to work with the physically and mentally handicap be more independent as a direct support staff and if I don't get the job I would still like to possibly pursue it. If you have a job similar or just think of anything let me know! Thank you!

Answer 1

Well, I work with SED Jr high kids.  There are a ton of pros, and the rewards are great.  When you have a breakthrough with a kid, or see progress, it's the fix that keeps you coming back.  We have a great teacher and suport staff, so most of the time we all do really well.  I honest to goodness love my job, but I do treasure my vacation breaks and refuse to work summer school.  I need to recharge.    

My answer might not be the most popular, but seeing as how you're asking about con's as well as pros, I'll give it to you straight up.  I do understand that the kids I work with have serious issues, and that it's nothing personal.  I know I"m one of the only consistant features in their life, and keep that in mind during the worst of it.  The job I do isn't for everyone, that's for sure.

There are cons and I'm not going to lie about it or sugar coat it. .  It's extremly stressfull at times.  Some days a child will just mentally exhaust you with behaviors, neediness, attitude.  They might be having a bad day and respond with verbalally abusive outbursts, running away, violent tendancies.  It's DRAINING!    They might be dispondant over home issues and emotionally wring you dry, it's really hard to shut off emotions when a child you care about is hurting so bad.  They will keep testing to see if you'll give up on them as well.    

Most of the time these behaviors and emotional outbursts are directly stemming from their disability. I understand that and remain calm, but there are days, when the entire staff is just wiped out!   So that's the biggest con.   Being emotionally and physically wiped out at times.

BUT THE REWARDS!  Woo Hoo, they really make you forget those bad times, or at least smooth over the edges.

Answer 2

You'll find plenty of pros and cons at www.alternativeeducationbible.com but I guess it all boils down to helping others.  A pro would be that you see progress in the person's work and you feel satisfaction that you were instrumental in the process.  A con would be that you get very stressed and frustrated because the person is not responding well to your teaching or guidance.

Answer 3

this is a very rewarding field to enter. however, it can be very frustrating and monotanous. you will likely have to help people eat, toilet, and take care of their personal hygene. if you work with the same consumers for a long time, you will likely have to deal with a death. your patience will be tested. there is a possibility that you will be hit, bit, spit on or such. you will learn lessons about life that no one else could teach you. you will make friends that will love and remember you for life. you will have an emmense impact on someone's life.

Answer 4

There are different types of classes of students with disabilities. I have worked with Emotional Disturbance, Severe Handicapped, Profound handicaps. At tis time I work with profound (low functioning) autism teenagers at the local high school. I am a special education instructional assistant II. At times it is stressful but most of the time very rewarding. You may try to looking at the local school district, some states have privet schools that work with children with disabilities. Sometimes group homes need people. Also there are work programs for adults with disabilities like ability counts, or project T.E.A.M. Children  and adults with special needs always need caring people to work with them. Good luck.

Answer 5

? sorry

Answer 6

misunderstanding