#special education jobs

[spededucation]

25 Highest Paying Special Education Jobs in 2024

Special education has lots of good jobs that pay well for people who care about helping students with disabilities. These jobs include teaching, therapy, speaking up for others, and using technology to help. They let you do important work that can make a real difference in communities.

[elaine-park10]

Which course is the best in special education?

Determining the "best" course in special education depends on various factors, including individual interests, career goals, and the specific needs of the students you aim to support. Special education is a diverse field with a wide range of courses that cover different aspects of teaching and supporting students with disabilities or special needs. Here are some prominent courses in special education that are highly regarded:

Introduction to Special Education: This foundational course provides an overview of special education principles, laws, policies, and practices. It covers topics such as inclusion, individualized education programs (IEPs), assessment, and collaboration with parents and professionals.

Assessment and Evaluation in Special Education: This course focuses on various assessment tools, techniques, and strategies used to identify and evaluate students' strengths, needs, and progress. It explores formal and informal assessment methods and emphasizes the interpretation and application of assessment data in developing individualized interventions.

Differentiated Instruction: This course delves into strategies for adapting and modifying instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of students with disabilities. It covers instructional planning, curriculum adaptation, and the use of assistive technologies to create inclusive learning environments.

Behavior Management and Positive Behavior Support: This course addresses behavior management techniques, proactive approaches, and positive behavior support strategies. It equips educators with skills to promote positive behavior, prevent challenging behaviors, and implement effective interventions when necessary.

Collaborative and Consultative Practices: This course focuses on collaboration and consultation skills needed to work effectively with parents, colleagues, and related service providers. It explores techniques for team collaboration, conflict resolution, and building effective partnerships to enhance student outcomes.

Assistive Technology in Special Education: This course introduces educators to the various technologies and tools that support students with disabilities in accessing the curriculum and promoting their independence. It covers assistive devices, software applications, and adaptive equipment.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Inclusive Education: This course focuses specifically on understanding and supporting students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It covers characteristics of ASD, evidence-based interventions, social skills development, and creating inclusive environments for individuals with ASD.

Transition Planning and Vocational Education: This course examines the transition process for students with disabilities as they move from school to post-school life. It covers vocational assessment, career exploration, transition planning, and the development of skills necessary for independent living and employment.

It's important to note that the availability and specific course offerings may vary across institutions. When choosing a course in special education, consider your interests, professional goals, and the needs of the population you wish to serve. It's also valuable to seek recommendations from professionals in the field or consult with academic advisors to select courses that align with your aspirations and provide a comprehensive understanding of special education practices.

[gayaest]

what does (msn) mean for autism?

“Level 1 - Level 2 - Level 3” in the DSM.

(LSN) Low-Support needs, (MSN) Middle-Support needs, (HSN) High-support needs.

I was in special ed my entire life, as well as discovering (others) I was autistic was very early on (Kindergarten). I’ve always needed extra support specific to my autism, more than LSN autistics need (which is not to say they do not need support — all autistics need some type of support, this is just to help others know how much).

MSN, means that I need substantial help in my day-to-day life to be able to stay alive and functioning. I need a daily caregiver, someone to help me bathe, clothe, food, clean, etc. I wasn’t able to work, go to school myself without some type of accommodations and help from an “aid” or caregiver. I would never have been able to live alone even if I wasn’t physically disabled, because I was always mentally disabled (Autistic).

I just happen to have become physically disabled as well. My old therapist said that Autistic individuals have a higher chance of developing auto-immune disorders and disabilities due to the way the brain and body are connected and work. Especially if that coincides with severe and ongoing trauma, which causes the nervous system to “break down” and immune system to become, well… less immune.

I hope this makes sense, I spent like, 45 minutes writing this to make sure it sounded right.

[heretherebedork]

How to piss me off even if I like you: call my work with my struggling and highest support needs student babysitting. He might not be learning academically but that doesn't mean we're not teaching him or working on skills and he deserves equal educational time devoted to him as every other student in this classroom. It might look different but that doesn't remove the need. We might not be able to do everything he needs but that doesn't mean we stop trying, damnit.

(I am an aide and mostly his one to one and it drives me bad how many teachers and social workers in particular will refer to the work with him as just babysitting. Especially social workers, frankly. Because they do it the most often. )

[catcherinwhitebread]

the sudden hatred for college and reading and any kind of critical thinking speaks volumes about the future of our society

[inkz123]

Man finishing school term and wanna rest, draw and work on comms more, but then like 2ish weeks later, boom, gotta fix stuff to start the new school term again

Mannn i just wanna do nothing but draw blorbos and backed up ideas and all the sketch wips i havent even finished ; ;

Idk school for me just throws off the vibes fr fr

[thatteacherlifetho]

When a student thanks you for helping them . . .

[gxlden-angels]

Do not stop talking about Palestine. Do not forget about Palestine. This is not a battle of religion and I do not think it should be treated as such. From the river to the sea, they will be free 🇵🇸

Disclaimer: I am not an expert. I am just some guy in the US. I am not a direct source of information. Please listen to Palestinians. Please help them directly. Please help with protests if your country is supplying Israel with weapons like the US.

[motherhenna]

yoooo ok that last job turning out to be bullshit might actually be a blessing in disguise because I just landed an interview for an after school theater teacher gig that pays way better~ I went to theater camp every year from ages 12 to 17 and always loved the idea of being a counselor for a program like that, and did backstage / dramaturg work for a play at UCSB back in pre-pandemic 2020 so I might actually have a shot at this. Wish me luck!

[zethry]

Also, if you wouldn’t do this job, how much would you say the position “deserves” or “should” be compensated for what the position requires of the employee?

My union just brought a tentative agreement to us and we vote on it today. The wage increase is less than satisfactory, it isn’t terrible. However, there is virtually no longevity incentive. After the raise, I will be making less than $2/hour more than a new hire in my position and this is my 8th year. A coworker who is on her 29th year only makes $7/hour more than I do.

[justreblogginfics]

I’ve missed being in a SPED room so much (even if it is as a substitute) 🩷

[crazypossumman]

I’ve been working with kids for about two months now…

And, honestly, I have learned so much from this experience. I took this job because I needed a job, and I had connections at the school that almost ensured I would be hired. My job is primarily helping kids with learning disabilities and/or behavioral issues, primarily in grades K through 3. A large chunk of them are children with autism or similar conditions, with some more severely disabled kids mixed in.

Up until this point, I have wondered why anyone in their right mind would work with children. Now, I know why.

When I watch a kid take a fall playing football at recess and all of his friends pick him up and brush the grass off of him before getting him back in the game, I am reminded that all people start good.

When I see kids working so hard to include their “different” classmates, I realize how far we have come as a society. When I was in elementary school just over a decade ago, we rarely interacted with our disabled classmates. They were almost always in a different room. But these teachers not only include their disabled students, but they also make a point to teach the class that being different doesn’t make someone “wrong.” They explain that different students have different needs, and the kids understand and accept that.

When my students smile and give me a hug upon seeing me, I know that I’m making an impact on their lives. As hard as I may push them some days, they still appreciate me. I am a friend as much as I am a teacher.

When students approach me to talk about difficult experiences in their lives, I realize that I am a trusted adult. I am someone they can tell about their experiences and feelings. I am someone who they trust to help them through things that may be difficult.

When I find a common interest with a student (usually when they find out I like art), I can tell I am inspiring them to continue. When they ask me how to draw things and I encourage them through the process, I know that I am inspiring someone who may grow up to be an amazing artist. I might be the reason, when some of them look back on their lives, that they devoted time and effort to hone their skills.

When difficult concepts like racism are brought up (typically not directly as they are kindergartners, but the injustices of the past certainly come up when talking about topics like Thanksgiving), I see children respond with things along the lines of, “That is so sad.” And I know that these kids will think twice when they hear racist rhetoric. I know they will be able to empathize with people who gave faced injustices.

When we teachers use rhetoric like, “I know it is hard, but you can do hard things,” I can see that we are inspiring these young people to push themselves. To work toward their goals. To believe they can accomplish things they may see as impossible.

Sure, when they yell and scream and bicker and tattle and throw things, they are SUPER annoying. I won’t deny that. But when I see them chose to take a deep breath and calm down rather than argue with a classmate, I can see we are helping to raise emotionally mature children who will become emotionally mature adults.

And in the society we live in, that is so important to me. It has in many ways given me hope that future generations may just be able to do what we are seeking to do.

They just might raise further emotionally healthy children.

They just might work to correct the injustices of the past.

They just might save the world.

And I may not see the day that that happens. But I am content in being part of that ripple effect and its unlimited potential. And I can see so clearly why people choose to work with children.

[heretherebedork]

I have the kind of job where explaining what I do in a day sometimes just makes it sound even more absurd.

Like, this afternoon, I spent around twenty minutes running with a student because it was the only thing that would get him to stop screaming even momentarily and then we went back to the room and he crunched ice for twenty minutes between screaming bouts before he got to go home.

I had another student who kept screaming as well and had to spend fifteen minutes with him just getting him to get back to a good baseline because he was heightened and dysregulated and everyone else was just calling it work avoidance.

I also had to point out that a student didn't have to sit and could work standing and that, frankly, I didn't care either way because why would I care when he's also participating? He can sit or stand! It's all good!

Sigh.

Being neurodiversity affirming in a world that isn't can be exhausting but is especially tiring when you have no actual power either.

[chaoswillcalmusdown]

my job interview today lasted like 50 minutes which apparently is long ?? so let's all hope that's a good sign bc i really got a good feeling from the principals

[disdaidal]

So I think I'm finally getting a contract and I'm going to start my new studies (as a youth/school counselor) in my old school. I met the principal today and had a talk with him, and he said he was pleased to see me there and would like to have me there because I already know my way around and seemed to manage things just fine when I was still their student. So, that's great, I'm finally getting somewhere.

But I'll have to wait until Friday because he's still not quite sure who's going to be my supervisor, so he's going to have a talk with a couple of staff members about it at first.

And then my teacher in my new school is already pressing me with contract matters and stuff, wanting me to start earlier than I had originally planned or at least get the contract done by then, so uhh. I'm going to have a Teams meeting with her on Friday at 8 o'clock in the morning (I'm not a morning person at all), and I'm sure we're going to have such a lovely discussion about my schedule and study plans and all that stuff.

All this phone-calling and paperwork is giving me a headache. And I still have some school assignments to do and to return before next week, and guess what - ya girl just wants to read and write fanfiction all day and all night. 🤪 Priorities, I has them.

[thatteacherlifetho]

Welcoming kids and families to the classroom on the first day of school like . . .