Working with children with special needs
rewarding job but i wouldn’t do this for a long run. let me explain!
you work around 5 hours with children with different needs (if you are a full timer). as i was an intern i worked with them around the clock. different sessions are held each day and different groups of children would enter our doors.
learning about each child was challenging as some of them were non verbal or just had no reaction what so ever. finding out what their upset about or what they need when their screaming and crying was a difficult process.
we can’t be mad at them either - which made sense obviously. some of the children were more physical so getting pinched, scratched or pushed is pretty normal here. ( not every child is like this btw, only a handful) some days i go home with a bunch of pinches on my arm and there’s nothing i can really do about it. which is also one of the factors why i don’t think i can do this for the long run.
teachers here have more admin time compared to preschool teachers but the workload does get crazy at times especially when they have to set new goals or evaluate whether a child could go mainstream.
overtime, i got used to the screaming and shouting but ofc there are days where i feel hopeless because the screaming could last for over 30 mins. there were days where i feel like dropping out of the course because handling children w needs wasn’t easy and barely having time to complete my assignments due to exhaustion.
till now i don’t know how i managed to complete presentation slides, reports, lesson plans, self made resources while i was struggling to keep up with the children at intern.
nevertheless, it was a rewarding experience when a child manages to do something they have never done before or when they manage to complete a goal faster then expected. these children are still children so watching them smile and laugh and sometimes respond to us in different ways was really heart warming. but i still wldnt do this in the long run🥲
just sharing my experience!
Working with children with special needs requires patience, adaptability, and empathy, attributes I developed deeply during my internship experience. Many children I worked with had conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, global developmental delay, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, speech delay, and various mobility challenges. Each child had their unique routines and communication styles, which made learning about them both fascinating and demanding. Communication was often a central hurdle, especially for those who were non-verbal or had limited speech abilities. Some children used assistive communication devices that produced robotic voices—initially an unusual experience for me—but became essential tools to understand their needs. Decoding their cries, screams, or behaviors required focusing on subtle cues and consistent observation over time. Physical interactions varied; some children expressed distress or excitement physically, leading to occasional pinching or scratching. Understanding this as part of their expression and not taking it personally was a vital mindset shift. It was tough sometimes, but preparing for these moments helped me maintain calm and continue supporting the children effectively. The workload extended beyond direct interaction. Teachers and interns invest considerable time planning lessons, creating individualized learning resources, setting developmental goals, and assessing progress, especially when considering mainstream integration for the children. Balancing administrative duties with hands-on care was challenging but crucial. Emotionally, it was a rollercoaster. Some days the persistent screaming felt overwhelming and exhausting, leading me to question my ability to continue long-term. Yet, witnessing the children achieve milestones they hadn't before or respond positively to interaction brought immense joy and fulfillment, highlighting the meaningful impact of this work. From this experience, I've learned that while working with children with special needs may not be for everyone in the long run, the dedication required to support their growth is profound. It also reinforced the value of small victories and the importance of empathy, persistence, and self-care when engaged in such rewarding yet demanding roles.
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