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What is it like to work with special needs children and how do I deal with it?
I am interested in considering the idea of working with youth who have special needs. But I don't interact with children very often so I only really know how people around my age with special needs, such as autism, act. I'm aware that because they are children, their temper and behavioral decisions are going to be different, but I would like to know how I should react in this kind of situation.
Also, since it is an emotionally and mentally demanding job, how do I manage my own frustrations and stress by myself when it feels like things are too much?
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Elizabeth (Betsy)’s Answer
Hello Katherine,
I commend your inspiring choice to work with young individuals possessing unique abilities. It's important to remember that these children are often incredibly intelligent and brimming with talents that they're eager to share with the world. However, their disabilities can sometimes overshadow their capabilities, making it challenging to fully appreciate their potential.
As you've rightly pointed out, this line of work requires specialized training and can be emotionally taxing at times.
I suggest you connect with the guidance counselors at your school. They could potentially introduce you to special educators within your institution, offering you a chance to gain firsthand insights into their daily routines. These professionals could provide invaluable advice on college programs to consider, as well as effective strategies for managing stress and maintaining mental wellbeing. They might also be aware of internship opportunities where you could acquire practical experience in this field.
Wishing you the best of luck on this noble journey.
I commend your inspiring choice to work with young individuals possessing unique abilities. It's important to remember that these children are often incredibly intelligent and brimming with talents that they're eager to share with the world. However, their disabilities can sometimes overshadow their capabilities, making it challenging to fully appreciate their potential.
As you've rightly pointed out, this line of work requires specialized training and can be emotionally taxing at times.
I suggest you connect with the guidance counselors at your school. They could potentially introduce you to special educators within your institution, offering you a chance to gain firsthand insights into their daily routines. These professionals could provide invaluable advice on college programs to consider, as well as effective strategies for managing stress and maintaining mental wellbeing. They might also be aware of internship opportunities where you could acquire practical experience in this field.
Wishing you the best of luck on this noble journey.
Updated
Dave’s Answer
Good morning Miss Katherine,
I've spent 40 years working in special education classrooms with students. I think I have a pretty good idea, because I worked with many different kinds of special needs children. I started out with the severely mentally handicapped students, then some higher functioning mentally handicap students, and some behavior disability students, and learning disabled students. I've had students that looked perfectly normal, and some that we're very physically deformed in wheelchairs. So I think I've had a wide range of students that had special needs. I'm telling you this because you might want to pick an area that you would like to work with, but you may have other students in your class that have different needs. You will most likely have ongoing training and education. I had over 100 college hours of additional college training in many different areas of the special education field. I've taught everything from music to math, and basic daily living skills to on-the-job training in the community.
I truly loved my students, for the most part. Some of my students were mentally ill, and needed much more support than I what I was able to give them. I absolutely hated the paperwork. There is so much district, state, and federal paperwork that needs to be filled out with every single student, every single day. This is not a nine to five job.
I became interested in this field when I was in grade school. I volunteered to work with the local park district. I learned a lot from that job. You have to be flexible, you have to have an understanding of what each disability is like, and you need to set clear boundaries and expectations. You need to be very flexible as well. Sometimes you have to make up your own plan. Need to be smart and you need to be creative. Sometimes the simplest things work, sometimes you need to come up with a whole new vision.
You have to be excited about what you are doing, because your student will be excited when they see you. My students wanted to come to school every single day of the week including weekends. They loved coming to see me because they never knew what was going to happen, but it would be something fun. School is supposed to be fun.
It's wonderful that you want to work with this population, but it's a very diverse group. You might want to pick a specialty, but be prepared for anything. It's also a high burnout area. I certainly was an exception. You might want to get your feet wet by getting some experience with special needs children. Park districts and special olympics, are two areas to explore. Your own School should have special needs classes somewhere in the building. Ask teachers if you can help out during your lunch, or homeroom, or study period.
I apologize for any grammatical errors as I am not using spell check. Have a great day!
I've spent 40 years working in special education classrooms with students. I think I have a pretty good idea, because I worked with many different kinds of special needs children. I started out with the severely mentally handicapped students, then some higher functioning mentally handicap students, and some behavior disability students, and learning disabled students. I've had students that looked perfectly normal, and some that we're very physically deformed in wheelchairs. So I think I've had a wide range of students that had special needs. I'm telling you this because you might want to pick an area that you would like to work with, but you may have other students in your class that have different needs. You will most likely have ongoing training and education. I had over 100 college hours of additional college training in many different areas of the special education field. I've taught everything from music to math, and basic daily living skills to on-the-job training in the community.
I truly loved my students, for the most part. Some of my students were mentally ill, and needed much more support than I what I was able to give them. I absolutely hated the paperwork. There is so much district, state, and federal paperwork that needs to be filled out with every single student, every single day. This is not a nine to five job.
I became interested in this field when I was in grade school. I volunteered to work with the local park district. I learned a lot from that job. You have to be flexible, you have to have an understanding of what each disability is like, and you need to set clear boundaries and expectations. You need to be very flexible as well. Sometimes you have to make up your own plan. Need to be smart and you need to be creative. Sometimes the simplest things work, sometimes you need to come up with a whole new vision.
You have to be excited about what you are doing, because your student will be excited when they see you. My students wanted to come to school every single day of the week including weekends. They loved coming to see me because they never knew what was going to happen, but it would be something fun. School is supposed to be fun.
It's wonderful that you want to work with this population, but it's a very diverse group. You might want to pick a specialty, but be prepared for anything. It's also a high burnout area. I certainly was an exception. You might want to get your feet wet by getting some experience with special needs children. Park districts and special olympics, are two areas to explore. Your own School should have special needs classes somewhere in the building. Ask teachers if you can help out during your lunch, or homeroom, or study period.
I apologize for any grammatical errors as I am not using spell check. Have a great day!
Loved reading this, thanks!
Katherine
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Katherine,
Working with Special Needs Children:
Working with special needs children can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. It requires patience, empathy, and understanding to effectively support these children in their development. Here are some key points to consider when working with special needs children:
Understanding Their Needs: It is essential to educate yourself about the specific needs of each child you work with. Special needs can vary greatly, from physical disabilities to developmental disorders like autism or ADHD. Understanding their individual challenges and strengths will help you provide better support.
Building Trust and Connection: Building a strong rapport with the children is crucial. Show them kindness, respect, and acceptance. Establishing trust will make it easier for them to communicate with you and feel comfortable in your presence.
Effective Communication: Communication may vary depending on the child’s abilities. Use simple language, visual aids, gestures, or any other communication tools that can help facilitate understanding. Be patient and give them time to process information and respond.
Managing Behavior: Special needs children may exhibit challenging behaviors due to various reasons such as sensory issues, communication difficulties, or emotional regulation problems. It is important to remain calm, consistent, and use positive reinforcement techniques to address these behaviors.
Collaboration with Professionals: Working with a multidisciplinary team of professionals such as therapists, educators, and caregivers can provide valuable insights and strategies for supporting the children effectively.
Dealing with Frustrations and Stress:
Working with special needs children can indeed be emotionally and mentally demanding. Here are some strategies to help you manage your frustrations and stress:
Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, hobbies, meditation, or spending time with loved ones outside of work hours. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is crucial in preventing burnout.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek support from colleagues, supervisors, or mental health professionals when you feel overwhelmed. Talking about your feelings and experiences can provide perspective and help you cope better.
Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life to prevent emotional exhaustion. Learn to say no when necessary and delegate tasks if possible to avoid taking on too much responsibility.
Remember that working with special needs children requires continuous learning and adaptation. Each child is unique, so staying open-minded and flexible in your approach is key to building meaningful relationships and making a positive impact on their lives.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The CDC provides valuable resources on developmental disabilities like autism spectrum disorder and offers guidance on effective interventions.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - AAP publishes research-based information on caring for children with special needs, including behavioral management strategies.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) - NAEYC offers professional development resources for educators working with young children, including those with special needs.
God Bless, JC.
Working with Special Needs Children:
Working with special needs children can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. It requires patience, empathy, and understanding to effectively support these children in their development. Here are some key points to consider when working with special needs children:
Understanding Their Needs: It is essential to educate yourself about the specific needs of each child you work with. Special needs can vary greatly, from physical disabilities to developmental disorders like autism or ADHD. Understanding their individual challenges and strengths will help you provide better support.
Building Trust and Connection: Building a strong rapport with the children is crucial. Show them kindness, respect, and acceptance. Establishing trust will make it easier for them to communicate with you and feel comfortable in your presence.
Effective Communication: Communication may vary depending on the child’s abilities. Use simple language, visual aids, gestures, or any other communication tools that can help facilitate understanding. Be patient and give them time to process information and respond.
Managing Behavior: Special needs children may exhibit challenging behaviors due to various reasons such as sensory issues, communication difficulties, or emotional regulation problems. It is important to remain calm, consistent, and use positive reinforcement techniques to address these behaviors.
Collaboration with Professionals: Working with a multidisciplinary team of professionals such as therapists, educators, and caregivers can provide valuable insights and strategies for supporting the children effectively.
Dealing with Frustrations and Stress:
Working with special needs children can indeed be emotionally and mentally demanding. Here are some strategies to help you manage your frustrations and stress:
Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, hobbies, meditation, or spending time with loved ones outside of work hours. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is crucial in preventing burnout.
Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to seek support from colleagues, supervisors, or mental health professionals when you feel overwhelmed. Talking about your feelings and experiences can provide perspective and help you cope better.
Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life to prevent emotional exhaustion. Learn to say no when necessary and delegate tasks if possible to avoid taking on too much responsibility.
Remember that working with special needs children requires continuous learning and adaptation. Each child is unique, so staying open-minded and flexible in your approach is key to building meaningful relationships and making a positive impact on their lives.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The CDC provides valuable resources on developmental disabilities like autism spectrum disorder and offers guidance on effective interventions.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - AAP publishes research-based information on caring for children with special needs, including behavioral management strategies.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) - NAEYC offers professional development resources for educators working with young children, including those with special needs.
God Bless, JC.