Special education is also called special needs education, aided education or shortly SPED. The focus of this type of education is to assist students with special needs and address the individual differences between students. The ultimate goal is to help achieve self-sufficiency in the school and community. Students who need special education include those who have learning disabilities, communication disorders, ADHD, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida in addition to developmental disorders as autism, Asperger syndrome and intellectual disability. Gifted education can also be considered as a sub-type of special education, however, practically it is usually handled separately. Special education is a heartwarming career as you will deal with the children’s innocence and help the most vulnerable group of the community. Students from special education may be able to integrate into the general education based on the progress.

What does a special education student learn?

Special education is similar to general education regarding the basics of the field. Additionally, graduates should have detailed knowledge about the disabilities that students commonly have. They should also know how to deal with the different disabilities to help the students achieve the best possible learning outcomes. The following list shows examples for courses commonly offered in special education programs:

1. Learning environments: this course introduces the approaches to develop and maintain a learning environment that supports learning for children with disabilities. It includes the use of methods that enhance non-disruptive behaviors, promote social skills and advance learning.
2. Understanding disability: this course introduces the definition of a disability and how it affects the life of individuals. It also introduces the laws and policies related to offering support, education and other services to people with disabilities.
3. Assessment: this course focuses on the different methods for assessment of children. This is not limited to the learning progress, but it also includes assessment of child’s degree of disability and capabilities.
4. Multiple disabilities: the course helps the students develop the skills needed to deal with more complicated cases when multiple disabilities exist.
5. Instructional strategies: this course introduces the approaches to offer a positive learning environment which includes interpretation of performance data and evaluation of curriculum objectives.

Now I have the special education degree…where can I work after graduating?

Special education is a vital service that should be available to all children with disabilities to help them integrate into the society. Financially, this discipline gets similar pay scale compared to normal education. There are several settings where special education graduates can work:

1. Special education teachers: this is the main career for special education graduates. They work in schools dedicated to students with special needs. The role of the teacher in this schools is to help the students not only with learning but also with developing skills and accommodating tools to overcome the disability barriers.
2. School counselor: the role of this job is to provide occasional counseling to normal schools regarding students who may have certain degree of disability. They also assess the student’s ability to continue in normal education and the appropriate support that should be provided.
3. Occupational therapist: the role of this job is to help people maintain their work and daily activities using planned interventions to overcome the effects of health conditions or disabilities.
4. Assistive technology specialist: he/she evaluates the student needs to determine the appropriate hardware and software support. The job includes suggesting specific products and providing data and training to the use of these products.
5. Director of special education institutes
6. Curriculum development for special education

Should I choose a special education degree?

Special education is highly rewarding on the personal level as you provide support on daily basis to the most vulnerable group in the society. Your role helps students overcome the barriers caused by their disabilities, improve their quality of life and integrate in the community. Your study and work in this field will also help you develop a group of useful skills:

1. Patience: making a change in the lives of children with special needs is a challenge that requires dedication and hard work. Progress is usually slow with these children and you should have the patience to keep your enthusiasm and continue offering them support.
2. Making the best use of everything available: supporting children of special needs will help you appreciate whatever is available and make use of it to reach the best possible results.
3. Communication skills: teachers working in special education should have exceptional communication skills to deal effectively with the children who may suffer from cognitive or behavioral disorders. They must also work with their families to provide the proper support at home and school.