Does anyone here work with...

[Lumpold]

kids with special needs? Cos tomorrow I start (another) new job... I'll be working as a support worker in a school for kids with special needs. I'm pretty sure this is gonna be the most rewarding job I've done, it certainly should beat telling old people they use to much gas and electric and need to have us come round and check out their houses. It means I have to shave at the very least (I look like a terrorist in my photo ID). But I'm really looking forward to it, even though it means swallowing my pride about 'becoming a teacher' as my best friend and girlfriend have already decided to claim victory as I'm working in edukayshun.

[carbonbased_al]

Good for you James. I've never worked in a job that centered around special children, but my younger brother is handicapped. I've certainly spent my fair share around forum schools and such.

Why would you have to shave? I've had plenty of bearded teachers.

[illuminatus]

I've done some volunteering with Special Olympics/special needs at my High School, and I used to help out my grandmother at the Day Care, and we had a child with autism... does that count? Word of advice.. if you have an agressive kid with autism, don't put your hand near his mouth.... damn did that hurt...

[pinokio]

Hey James, hope everything goes well at your new job! I'm sure you'll be OK, keep us posted!

P

[Lumpold]

What makes me think I need to shave?

[TideRoll]

Never worked a job like that personally, though one of my best friends' wife has been a special needs teacher for the past fifteen years. By the way, fifteen years is a long stretch, since the field apparently has its share of burnout, and I can understand why. My brother-in-law has CP and spent a lot of time at specialized schools, and like a previous poster, I've been around that kind of thing for a while.

I would suspect you will find it frustrating and even heartbreaking at times, but challenging and very, very rewarding, if my pals' wife is any measure. I get the feeling that it more of a calling than a job for many who do it.

As for your beard, I've seen all kinds of folks who do good work in that field: big burly bearded men, tiny women, a lesbian gal who could probably have kicked my arse, you name it. I think if you are good with the kids, the parents will love you for it regardless of your beard. There are not that many people who do that kind of work.

Best of luck; you are doing Gods work whether you realize it or not.

[smokinmojo]

Originally Posted by Lumpold

What makes me think I need to shave?

"now face the right" LOL

kidding....I work on the weekend with MRDD individuals in a group home setting. Going to work is a breath of fresh air. (Im sure you will get that!)

[cmiller]

Lumpy I think you'll be alright if you just neaten up that beard, no need for a full shave.

As to your question I have a four year old son with Down Syndrome(and hearing aids, hypo-thyroidism, braces on his feet, asthma, dairy allergy) so yeah I do work with a special needs child, my own. I have a great deal of respect for the teachers and para-professionals (I think that is our version of "support worker") that work in Caleb's classroom. Certainly it will have it's high points and low points but what job doesn't. Just a warning, many of us parents of special needs kids are very passionate about getting the very best we can for our kids and while we don't expect miracles we very much want to achieve as optimal of an outcome as possible.

Just out of curiosity what age children will you be working with? I can recommend some reading material relating to Down Syndrome if you like.

[horrorview]

I spent a few years working with adults with developmental disabilities, and it was enormously rewarding (and quite fun!). The folks I worked with were great people who I maintain relationships with to this day. My wife still works for the organization I left (for reasons more to do with the administration rather than the job), so I visit quite often and check in!

[Lumpold]

Chris, my cousins newborn child has downs, and I should be working with children with downs too, so any suggestions on good reading regarding the subject will be greatly appreciated!

Initially I'll be working with sixth form children... 15/16+, mainly because I'm 6'1", 250lbs. I would assume that support worker = para-professional as my job will be assisting the teacher. I'm looking forward to it, as previously I worked with special needs kids on a radio station project (letting kids with special needs record their own radio shows was probably one of the most rewarding things I've done). I am expecting some troubles Re: Parents, as funding for special needs schools in Britain isn't always brilliant, and I'm not sure what to expect, per se, from the school I'll be working in.
I'll let ya'll know how it goes! Anyone with any good reading suggestions for any other of the special needs (EBD, Autism, ADHD or any others) please let me know!

[SlimDiesel]

Don't these kids have enough to deal with without you Lumpy? Good for you getting a job where you get to help others. You'll feel a whole lot better too seeing as this is more rewarding than being a barman or telemarketer.

[Lumpold]

I dunno Slim, barwork can be pretty rewarding...
'You can't get me drunk!' *slams back shot of whiskey*
'I can't?' *pours sambuca*
'No' *slams back flaming sambuca*
'OK' *pours flaming lambourghini*
'WTF IS THAT?'
'Yours.'
'Urzle-fnurzle wha djo dooooo?'

But outside of that, it can be pretty soul destroying.

[cmiller]

Originally Posted by Lumpold

Chris, my cousins newborn child has downs, and I should be working with children with downs too, so any suggestions on good reading regarding the subject will be greatly appreciated!

Initially I'll be working with sixth form children... 15/16+, mainly because I'm 6'1", 250lbs. I would assume that support worker = para-professional as my job will be assisting the teacher. I'm looking forward to it, as previously I worked with special needs kids on a radio station project (letting kids with special needs record their own radio shows was probably one of the most rewarding things I've done). I am expecting some troubles Re: Parents, as funding for special needs schools in Britain isn't always brilliant, and I'm not sure what to expect, per se, from the school I'll be working in.
I'll let ya'll know how it goes! Anyone with any good reading suggestions for any other of the special needs (EBD, Autism, ADHD or any others) please let me know!

I'll go through the books I have at home and post something later this evening (my time, tomorrow morning your time I guess?) I'll try to cover all the bases, physical, communication skills, occupational skills etc. Some of it may be more oriented to kids younger than 15/16 but will probably still apply, It'll certainly apply to your cousins child if you spend a lot of time with him or her.

[illuminatus]

Originally Posted by Lumpold

I dunno Slim, barwork can be pretty rewarding...
'You can't get me drunk!' *slams back shot of whiskey*
'I can't?' *pours sambuca*
'No' *slams back flaming sambuca*
'OK' *pours flaming lambourghini*
'WTF IS THAT?'
'Yours.'
'Urzle-fnurzle wha djo dooooo?'

But outside of that, it can be pretty soul destroying.

HAHAHAHAHAHA... somebody get me somethign to wipe my monitor off!

[celticgent]

Originally Posted by cmiller

Just a warning, many of us parents of special needs kids are very passionate about getting the very best we can for our kids and while we don't expect miracles we very much want to achieve as optimal of an outcome as possible.

i know a few people who are special needs teachers in grade schools.

whenever i've talked to them about their jobs, they say the hardest part isn't the children... it's definitely the parents.

they say a lot of them are in denial and think that their child will magically be 'fixed' and can be really hard to deal with as such.

the good news is, on the other hand, there are parents who really understand and care and realize that the teachers are there to help.

i'm sure this experience will be very rewarding for you, Lumpy.

from what i gather from talking to these people - it's perhaps the hardest job they've ever had, but it's worth it for everyone involved.

good luck!