interview at special needs school

bumpp

My first SN job was at a school for autistic/pdd students from 3-21. It was challenging, interesting, somewhat saddening and absolutely inspiring. I didn't know twhat I was going to be met with when dealing with kids with such a wide array of issues. From children that have never spoken to kids with debilitating seizures to children that had such extreme sensitivites - we had a little bit of everything there. At first you walk in, feeling sorry for the kids and their families. You realize that Jimmy will never get married and have kids of his own or that Sally will never live on her own. But every day you start to feel sorry and saddened less and less. You begin to see the children for their accomplishments, rather than their disabilities.

It's not for everyone. The nurses office was often a tough place to be. Something as simple as helping to control a bloody nose could set a child into a rampage. Trying to medicate a child when it is utterly necessary because he ingested a food containing his allergen may just earn you a series of bite marks up and down your arm. But if you can learn to love your students and rise to the challenge, it will take you far - i can remove just about any splinter and have an extensive orificenal of tricks to stop bloody noses. I can teach kids that have relied on liquid meds how to swallow a capsule or implement a program so a student can go see a dentist without biting her finger.

I enjoyed my time in the special ed school. In the end my decision to leave was based on getting a job in a public school and getting into that pension system and also being closer to my home.

Also - don't worry about bumping a topic - we'll see it

wow that sounds really challenging and kind of scary. i'm not sure how i feel about a student biting my arm. thanks for all the info though.

do you have any tips for the interview?

It can be - and for the record i was bit once by a kid in public school too - but he was having a serious emotional issue (the kid had delusions that people were trying to kidnap him stemming from an early history in a foreign orphanage )

I think if it weren't for the achievements that the kids in the special ed school conquered every day and how uplifting thay could be, the job would have felt more dismal.

As far as advice - find out what types of disabilities the school specializes in and familiarize yourself before the interview. Know that special ed schools often require a lot of flexibility. Also, express the interest in being part of the children's total school experience. Perhaps there is an educational need or life skills need that you can help fulfill. Perhaps there is something being done in class that you would need to be made aware of that you could implement with students that visit your office (i.e. ABA training or use of reinforcers) to promote consistency.

hm....thanks! you've definitely given me some things to think about. i really appreciate it :)