Charles Said:

How could i become a special needs teaching assistant? Whats the first course i should go on?

We Answered:

You would need to go get a college education in child care, with a speciality in teaching special needs children. I would talk with a college guidance counselor.

Nathaniel Said:

how you working in a team as teaching assistant with special needs children?

We Answered:

The IEP committee is the team that decides on the educational needs of the special needs child and works together to ensure that the child recieves the best education possible - the regular ed teacher, special ed teacher, diagnostician, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, special ed counselor, principal, etc, all have to be included in these children's education.

Felix Said:

I'm starting my new job on Monday (teaching assistant for special needs)...?

We Answered:

Be on time.
Be prepared.
Ask teacher what your role/responsiblities encompass. Do more than asked, but do not overstep the bounds of an assistant.
Bring passion and enthusiam to the job.
Do NOT gossip about the students or other staff members.
Make friends with the cooks and the custodians.
Smile! Smile! Smile!
Care about the students and their welfare. Learn about the nature of their disabilities and best methods of remediation.
Do you best-always.
Keep learning-get a degree if you require one so you can be a teacher some day.

Lynn Said:

Special needs teaching assistant!?

We Answered:

You need a team approach.

Example:

evaluated by the... occupational therapist, physical therapist, school psychologist, room teacher, and the parent. to be involved in what would be best for the student.

Bryan Said:

special needs assistant teaching(uk)?

We Answered:

At the moment there are no specific national requirements for the position of teaching assistant, whether special needs or mainstream.

Each school will decide what it wants (and what it willpay, and what will be required of the assistant) when it advertises.

If you want to maximise your chances then by all means take further courses, but it would be just as good to start applying for local jobs (and, perhaps, gaining experience by volunteering at local special schools). Experience is, at present, more valuable than formal academic qualifications for such a post. You will be able to increase your qualifications by attending courses etc whilst working as a teaching assistant: this is encouraged nowadays.

If you are considering going to university (and academically capable of doing so) then you would be far better to consider a career as a teacher. Teaching assistant pay (there is no national scale) is extremely poor, and many are paid 'pro rata' (that is, they only receive payment for the hours they do).Some teaching assistants are not even paid for school holidays.