What education/qualifications do I need to work with Special Needs?

Question

So Im getting out of high school in about 2-3 months. And I've decided that I really want to work with people with Special Needs. (More emotional, than physical). This is what I want to do.

But what courses would I need? Where could I even volunteer? I have no idea where to start. What are some of my job options? I have thought of becoming a Special needs teacher, and...maybe a carenurse?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

=)

Answer 1

Good for you!  That is a very rewarding but hard job.  I currently work as a SPED paraprofessional, and I'm going back to school to get my BA in Special Education.  Most answers have been right on target - talk with your guidance counselor and you might even try the local college or where you want to further your education.  

I wanted to give you a few suggestions on where to volunteer now to help you make your decision.  Become a volunteer with Special Olympics!  Your life will change forever for the better.  I love it.  Our Olympic group is under the umbrella of the local Parks and Rec department.  You could ask your school for information or maybe even google it.  Also, your local Parks and Rec dept. probably has clubs and/or regular sports for the disabled you could help with.  I know of a cheer group that travels and entertains and competes that is all disabled young people.  You'll love being a volunteer!  Good luck with school!

Answer 2

depends where you live. try volunteering at the local special school. It depends on where you live too. In australia you can be a special ed teacher just with your ordinary qualifications although post grad gives you a better chance of getting a job. In america you need to do the post grad stuff before you can work in special ed.

If you want to work while your studying you could try being a teachers aid.

If you want to be a nurse you'd probably be a psych nurse

Answer 3

Your guidance counselor is a good place to start. You could become a special education teacher (minimum four year degree), para professional (just take a basic skills test and work under sped teacher), work in vocational rehabilitation (depends on job assignment), work as a psych tech (usually hospital setting with short course for learning how to implement de-escalation strategies and defensive maneuvers as well as specific programs). You could look into case management (four year degree), Licensed Clinical Social Worker ( at least six years of school), Psychologist (typically seven to 9 years of school or be based at a juvenile detention center (depends on job assignment).

There are many different ways to work with troubled youth. Sometimes volunteer services in churches offer programs for children with emotional needs or maybe United Way may a service oriented organization with volunteers on site.

There are many options and it may be a good idea to work or volunteer for a program to see if it could be a life-long vocation.

Good luck to you.

Answer 4

start by enrolling in a few general requirements like your math and english and choose a program to begin with..you can always change your mind. it sounds like you are looking towards people with special needs. start taking classes for special education...if you find you may not like it...move into social work...you're still helping people ...there are many avenues to look forward to..just remember as lonog as you have all your gen ed requirements out of the way and maybe a few electives it will help your transition into another program if you should so choose.

good luck

Answer 5

I would definitely talk with your high school counselor to give you some tips on where to go to find out where you can work with special needs students. I would assume, that your high school has special ed students, if so, I would go talk to that teacher to get some ideas. Always try volunteering before you go and get yourself into debt by taking unecessary classes. Working with individuals with emotional disabilities are extremely tiresome, draining, depressing and mentally taxing.

Answer 6

Most areas have private schools for students that are emotionally disabled.  You could be a teacher's aid (usually after 2 years of college), teacher, social worker, psychologist, learning disabilities teacher consultant, art teacher, music teacher, behavior specialist.

It would probaly be easy enough to volunteer inone of these schools-possibly with younger children-just reading a story or helping with an art project.

There are hospitals for children that need residential care.  You could get a job as a pychiatric nurse.

To start with (begining as a teacher aid) you would ned some general ed courses (psychology, sociology, english, math, science, history)--from there a college will tell you what courses are required

Some schools will enable you to begin working by passing a competancy test that covers basic (academic) skills.   Some require college credits (48-60) due to teh No Child Left Behind Law.