What jobs are there to work with Autistic Children??

[kimbercase26]

Hi! I just recently got out of the Army and am looking at going to school. I am 28 years old with a 6 year old. He is not Autistic, but I have a family member who's son is. The more I read her blogs on myspace, the more I think that I would really like to do something in that field. If anyone has any idea how to start working in or going to school (college classes or whatever) I would really appreciate it. I just don't know where to start looking or what to do. Thanks so much!!

Kim

[DACIA79]

DEGREES TO CONSIDER

TEACHING DEGREE- SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPEECH PATHOLOGY
PHYSICAL THERAPY
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
MUSIC THERAPY
PSYCHOLOGY

SOCIAL WORK

GO ONLINE TO CHECK THE JOB DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH PROFESSION. THEN CHECK OUT HOW EACH PROFESSION RELATES TO AUTISM

HOPE THIS HELPS
DACIA

[Deltagrits]

Special Education Teacher

[AisForAutism]

I work as an Instructional Aide which is a great opportunity to see if this is what you are really interested in...sort of test the waters out. Many instructional aides with whom I have worked have done this and have gone on to be special education teachers, speech pathologists or other consultants. I ended up continuing working as an aide and writing children's books on autism.

There are lots of opportunities outside of the school realm too...Easter Seals, adult transition and care etc.

Best wishes.

[Lisa465]

Go to the district site and see about jobs there. They are often hiring aides to help with special ed kids. That is unless you want to go to college and get a degree. Then you can be a special ed teacher.
Lisa

[kimbercase26]

Thank you everyone who wrote me back! I'm looking into all of your suggestions! Thank you sooooo much!

Kim

[Pghpagirl]

There is the speech therapist, occupational therapist, special ed teacher or aide, I live in Pa and we have wrap around service that comes to the house here  I have a TSS that comes to the house and to the school with my son and works with him on the ABA and there is a BSC that makes the treatment plan for him that the TSS follows.  I guess it all depends on the state you live in and the treatments they have available there.  Good luck!!! 

[Losha007]

You could  look into becoming an autism tutor (BS in Behavior Analysis) or a BCBA (MS in Behavior Analysis).  They do ABA therapy with children with autism.