How to Get a Job as a Behavior Therapist for Autistic Children
The U.S. National Library of Medicine defines autism as a "developmental disorder that appears in the first 3 years of life and affects the brain's normal development of social and communication skills." The treatment of autism can range from medicinal treatment to behavioral therapy. Becoming a therapist requires that a student complete a bachelor's degree program and pursue further study as a graduate student in counseling or psychology.
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Things You'll Need
- Resume Writing Skills
- The Ability to Work with Children
- Creativity
- Patience
- The Ability to Work With People of All Kinds
- Emotional Stability and Control
Instructions
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Research graduate school programs in psychology or counseling. Check each program's website for biographies of the staff and look for faculty members who have worked as behavioral therapists for autistic children.
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Choose an undergraduate degree that incorporates the pre-requisites for your graduate program in its degree path.
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Register for and take the Graduate Record Exam. Apply to the graduate schools of your choice.
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Apply for work-study and research positions with faculty members who work as behavioral therapists with autistic children.
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Apply for an internship at a facility that provides treatment for autistic children.
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Tips & Warnings
Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs, and psychology programs are accredited by the American Psychological Association.
Gaining experience through an internship will help you network and meet other professionals in the field.
You must have patience to be a behavior therapist.
You must love kids to be a good behavior therapist.
This job will require working with kids who are in diapers, spit on others, and do other dirty things. Although it is rewarding, you must decide if you are able to handle this type of behavior.
If you can't see yourself on the ground playing with a child, then you should look for a different position.
References
Resources
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