If you possess a strong desire to work with special needs students, it is highly probable that
there are opportunities available for you in this field. Staff shortages in many sectors of Special
Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are prevalent, and it is crucial to attract committed
and enthusiastic personnel to assist children in accessing education, whether in mainstream or
specialized institutions.
There are various methods of getting a special education jobs, ranging from individualized
academic assistance in regular schools to providing social, personal, and educational care in
specialized settings for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or
working with young individuals who have committed offenses.
Below is a comprehensive reference to various available positions and strategies to initiate your
career in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
When it comes to helping kids with special needs, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are
among the most specialized professionals.
Particular difficulties with eating, vocalization, articulation, stuttering, semantics, syntax, phonics,
and word finding are the areas of concentration.Compared to the other jobs on this list, this one
takes more education and a license because of how specialized it is.
Although speech-language pathologists are expected to see a healthy 21% increase in
employment by 2031, the range of services they provide goes well beyond just aiding children
with special needs.
Special needs students can reach their full potential with the help of direct support workers
(DSPs). This job used to be called “caregiver,” but new changes have made it more like
teaching than giving care. DSPs help people who are having a hard time with their disability
become fully involved in their community.
From 2020 to 2022, more than 20,000 job openings for direct support professionals will mean
that anyone who wants to get into the field will have plenty of chances.
Uncertified behavior technicians work under the supervision of board-certified behavior analysts
(BCBAs) to implement treatment plans developed and written for patients, including youngsters
who self-identify as autism.
The effectiveness of client treatments is typically ensured by having these behavior technicians
overseen by BCBAs and registered behavior technicians (RBTs), as they do not earn
certification.
The autism spectrum disorder (ASD) community has many strong advocates among uncertified
behavior technicians. However, these individuals need continual supervision from individuals
who have the necessary training and credentials.
Individuals with a master’s degree and certification in behavior analysis are known as
board-certified behavior analysts. They work to address issues relating to behavior in different
cultures and settings.
The autistic community is among the most prevalent groups that BCBAs assist.Supervising
those who assist children with special needs is a common responsibility for BCBAs due to their
extensive training and credentials.
With more autonomy in their practice, BCBAs can serve patients in a variety of ways by acting
as independent practitioners who offer behavior-analytic services.
The goal of behavior therapy is to help special needs students overcome challenging habits by
teaching them new skills and strategies. To guarantee their patients lead fulfilling lives, they
center their efforts on helping them establish healthy habits.
In addition to helping children with special needs, behavior therapists frequently see individuals
who are battling with issues related to mental health and developmental impairments.
Helping people with mental health issues and behavioral disorders is an expanding area of
study, and behavior therapists are a part of it. This is a great field to work in if you want to help
people with a wide range of behavioral issues; employment in this field is expected to grow by
22% by 2031.
Specialists in behavior intervention, or behavior interventionists (BIs), mostly deal with the
conduct of children. These experts collaborate with a wide range of people to help patients
overcome challenging behaviors that get in the way of their progress.
Special needs children frequently engage with behavior interventionists, who provide a variety
of approaches to help children learn more appropriate behaviors.
The anticipated increase in employment for this profession is higher than the national average
because of the high concentration of jobs in this field. Jobs for behavior interventionists and
those in a related field in special education are projected to increase by 22% by 2031, according
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
A degree is required to work in special education jobs, but there are plenty of opportunities for
advancement even without one.
To find appropriate training and continuing professional development opportunities to expand
your understanding of specific SEND subjects, you might ask around at your school or consult
with your recruiting consultant.
You may stay abreast of trends and possible openings by keeping your ears to the ground for
opportunities and by joining online networking platforms like Linkedin.
