Careers in Autism Education
The education of autistic children is a team effort. Several individuals with a variety of specialties assist the autistic child in order to help him reach his full potential. Each one of these professionals has an important role in the education of the child, and each has very specific duties related to their job. There are many different careers in autism education, each unique and important.
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Teacher
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Schools usually require aspiring teachers to have a master's degree in special education before they can teach children with autism spectrum disorders. Some schools allow special education teachers to hold only a bachelor's degree in special education. All teachers must have a current teaching license in the state they plan to work in. The teacher of a special education classroom creates lesson plans, organizes the room and coordinates the aides, therapists and any other staff that interact with the children.
Teacher's Aide
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A teacher's aide, also known as a teacher's assistant, helps the teacher with the students and activities in the classroom. The teacher's aide can help in a number of ways, from helping students one on one to leading group-time activities. Whatever tasks the teacher needs to accomplish, the teacher's aide helps to complete them. A teacher's aide usually has at least a high school diploma as well as several years of experience with children. Many schools require that a teacher's aide have at least some college experience, as well as experience with special education students.
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Therapist
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There are several types of therapists that help with the education of autistic children. Occupational therapists help children overcome sensory difficulties and focus on tasks. They also help with writing and other fine motor skills that autistic children commonly have issues with. Speech therapists are also key in the education of children with autism. Because language and communication problems are usually the area that has the largest delay, speech therapists help autistic children by teaching language and, if necessary, alternative communication methods. Physical therapists assist autistic children with gross motor difficulties by building strength and balance through physical activities. Specialized therapists, such as those certified in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), work with autistic children to resolve behavioral issues. Therapists have at least bachelor's degree as well as specialized training in their individual specialty. Therapists have specific license requirements that include continued education in order to keep their standing current.
Student's Aide
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Unlike a teacher's aide, who works wherever the teacher needs her to, the student's aide remains with a specific student all the time. The student's aide helps the child learn by redirecting him if he strays off task, assisting with communication difficulties, performing adaptive duties such as test reading or writing the answers and helping the student with social interactions. Like the teacher's aide, the student's aide may only need a high school diploma and child care experience, although many schools require at least some post-secondary school experience.
School District Jobs
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There are also jobs in autism education through individual school districts. Case managers or coordinators oversee incoming autistic children and help place the children in appropriate therapies and services. Independent evaluating therapists for counties give individual assessments of incoming children for use by case managers. Therapists must have a current license in their specialty in order to work as an evaluator for the school district. Case managers or coordinators hold a educational specialist degree (Ed.S.).
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