Finding the Right Path
INTRODUCTION
I have chosen to research about my future. I know that I want to major somewhere in Special education, but I am not sure where. I am going to research becoming a special education teacher and becoming a speech pathologist. Both are right down my path, but I am unsure of which suits me better. I am senior; therefore, this research is critical to the next step of my life. As of right now, I know a little about becoming a teacher. I have taken a class, Future Educators of Arizona, attended some conferences, and shadowed a teacher. I know that teachers get incredible joy in seeing the difference they make as students gain new insights, become more interested in a subject and learn about themselves. Becoming a speech pathologist will take more years of schooling and more classes in the science field. I am excited to learn more about each of these possible careers. I know for sure that the right career for me is in this field of becoming either a teacher or a speech pathologist.
In my research paper, I plan to cover the following topics: education needed, average pay, and the nob environment. Even though both careers are connected to each other, they will probably vary drastically among these categories. I have a strong passion for helping others and I know I will enjoy the Special Education career route. I am determined to find the right path for me, and this research paper will take me along that path!
BACKGROUND
Special education is in place to provide additional services, support, programs, specialized placements or environments to ensure that all students' educational needs are provided for. Special education is provided to qualifying students at no cost to the parents. There are many stud...
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...ng and physically draining. Most speech-language pathologists work full time. The work places seem infinite for Speech-Language Pathologists. They are able to work in public and private schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, short- and long-term nursing care facilities and community clinics. More experienced SLPs can work at colleges and universities, private practice offices, state and local health departments, state and federal government agencies, and research laboratories. (Careers in Speech) With such an extensive assortment of settings, working conditions also vary. Facilities in most school systems and clinics are comfortable and adequately equipped. Likewise, most research facilities, colleges, and private practices are sufficiently equipped. Because of the increasing demand for SLP services, work schedules may be heavy and overtime is a likely option.
(The requirement of designing special education services to meet a student’s unique needs is also found within the IDEA’s purpose section and its definition of “special education”.) In many situations where a student’s special education services may appear to be ineffective, an important question to ask is whether the student’s educational program has been sufficiently tailored to meet his or her unique special education needs.
Speech- Language Pathologists specialize in the treatment of communication. They work with eating and swallowing effects in the mouth. The work setting of a speech- language pathologist varies with experience and profession. They can work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, rehabilitation centers, health departments, research labs, public and private schools, colleges, offices, government agencies, and day care centers for people with developmental disorders (“Careers in Speech-Language Pathology”). Their salary depends on specialty and work setting. The average median pay of a speech-language pathologist is $69,870 per week. Speech- Language Pathologists usually work full time. They usually put in a minimum of forty hours per week (“Speech-Language Pathologists”). Speech- Pathologists use most of their time looking for treatments. Their main goal for the pathologist is focused towards the benefit of their patients.
Not many people who are not already involved with special education understand what exactly a student in a special education program does. Most people assume special education is for only the worst cases, such as autism or Down syndrome or that the students are completely different from any other student. However, this assumption is not the case. These assumptions only show some of the stigma against special education. Special education is the term used to “describe specially designed instruction that meets the unique needs of a child who has a disability,” (Hancock). As predetermined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), one qualifies for special education if they meet one or more of the thirteen disabilities included in the act. These disabilities include, but are not limited to, autism, hearing impairment, specific learning disability, visual impairment, and emotional disturbance. The IDEA act requires the public schools to provide a “free appropriate education”, or FAPE, to those who qualify. An example of a free appropriate program is “modifications in the educational program, such as curriculum and teaching methods,” (Hancock).
"Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists." Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance. 10th ed. Vol. 4 Chicago: J. G. Ferguson, 1997. 551.
Special education is a program set up for kids with special needs that need help. You can be in this program from the day you are born till you are 21 years of age. These kids range from a lot of disabilities like as little as a problem as paying attention to as big as having a handicapped disability. Each student has their own file. And being a part of special education you have to be organized and you have to know what you are doing. You have a bunch of paperwork you have to redo each year. Special Education helps with numerous areas of disability. Each kid has to have a goal they should “reach,” if the goal they had does not get reached that next year when they reevaluate the IEP and set a different goal.
Did you know that over two thirds of special education students receive services for non-mental health issues, among these students 17% have serious behavior as well as emotional issues compared to over 51% of special education students with mental health issues and 4% of students not in special education (Pastor and Ruben)? My research paper will first explain what Special Education actually is and it will focus on the issues that arise when disciplinary actions are called for and what is to be considered the most appropriate and effective forms of discipline in special education. It will also cover the most common issues that arise in special education as well as what strategies are effectively administered to solve these issues. My research paper will also take an in-depth look into special education students with non-mental health issues. It also will look at some misconceptions of special education students.
Two years ago, I embarked on a journey that would teach me more than I had ever imagined. As a recent college graduate, I was thrilled to finally begin my teaching career in a field I have always held close to my heart. My first two years as a special education teacher presented countless challenges, however, it also brought me great fulfillment and deepened my passion for teaching students with special needs. The experiences I have had both before and after this pivotal point in my life have undoubtedly influenced my desire to further my career in the field of special education.
For a special education student to be successful and reach their true potential, it takes a collaborative effort between both the special education and general education teacher. Both teachers need to have an understanding of each student’s disability and unique academic needs. Both teachers play vital roles in participating as part of the IEP team, providing professional input, and best practices to develop the student’s IEP, which will provide all stakeholders in the child’s education the accommodations and modifications for the special needs child to be successful in the
Special education is the practice of educating students with special educational needs by addressing their individual needs and differences. This process involves the individually planned arrangements of teaching procedures, adapted materials and equipment as well as accessible settings designed to help students with special needs to achieve a higher level of education and success. Usually parents that who has a child with special needs would like for their child to receive a quality education. People understand when talking about or describing a child with special needs that the child has educational needs, or has learning difficulties or disabilities for instance it is harder for them to learn than other children.
What is special education? The common belief is that it a program only dedicated to helping students with disabilities, whether physical or mentally. This is not entirely accurate in regards of what special education is. While special education does provide assistance to students with disabilities ns meet their needs in quality education (Küpper 2009)—the program extends to all students facing difficulties keeping up with the pace of learning (Huerta 2009). This brings the next question onto the table: the importance of special education. Before 1970s, majority of students with disabilities were shun into isolation with little to no education in general classes (Bradley 2016). However, with the passage of Education for All Handicapped Children
To begin with, the career of special education started about fifty years ago. Before Legislation there were approximately five million children who were ineligible to receive equal education. Then in the early 1900s, advocacy groups were started to fight for
Education is a vital part of growing up. Everyone goes through the education system to help carve a path towards their future self and what career they want to focus on as they get older. However, what most people become confused on is the difference between “general education” and “special education.” General education is the education provided to students who physically attend school. Now, special education is the education provided by the school plus extra programs and services to help aid and guide the students through the general education. Special Education is defined as, “the means through which children who have disabilities receive an education specifically designed to help them reach their learning potential” (Friend, 4). The emotions
Really, special education is a about teaching, and finding the appropriate ways to teach those students who may need additional help or who may not be able to learn in a traditional classroom setting. 6.4 million children with disabilities between the ages of 3-21 receive special education services, so there is a real need for great special education teachers in schools. One thing I was really unaware of before taking this course is how many different types of students need special education, and I had a very narrow view of what a disability was. I am now aware that students who receive special education may have speech/language impairments, autism, intellectual disabilities, hearing or vision impairments, emotional disturbances, and many more. You cannot just categorize all students in special education into one category, they are individuals who have individual disabilities and obstacles to
There are numerous careers related to special needs, all of which require different schooling, training, mentorships, and other types of preparation. Any type of job working with children with mental and physical disabilities can be challenging but also very rewarding when one sees the child improve (Tyrer, 2007). Different types of careers affect special needs children in different ways. For example a teacher will help them thrive in school, while other careers may help the kids improve at home or in a public setting. Special needs workers should be creative, flexible, and personable to be able to meet the needs of the child and also provide useful information for the child’s parents. It is important for one to at least complete minimal required training so one will be fully prepared to work with a child with any type of delay. Often children in schools do not improve at a higher rate because their teacher may not have the necessary training to assist them (Marković, 2014). No matter what special needs career someone chooses, everyone should have one common goal: to help special needs children thrive. Marković from the article “Work with Kids with Special Needs” puts it perfectly when she states, “the main aim is that children with disabilities get the chance to grow, learn, and socialize with children with normal development, and that these children can adapt and learn together with children with special needs. In this way, they develop understanding, tolerance, and humanity” (Marković,
Special Education is the education of students with special needs in a way that addresses the students’ individual differences and needs. And it is a specially designed instruction that meets the needs of students with disabilities as they attend to school, it also includes related services and supplementary aids and services. It helps every student with disabilities to have a chance to learn and showcase their own talent and intelligence. Without these students, Special Education wouldn’t be an organization or community who are willing to help these students with disabilities to learn and to attain their needs.