Types of Special Education Training Programs

Special education teachers have unique qualities that make them suitable to help students with needs beyond the normal scope. These teachers must be patient, want to make a difference in these children's lives, understand various needs, and of course be accepting of everyone's differences. Disabilities come in different forms and therefore, special education teachers must deal with different types.

Children with Physical Disabilities

A good majority of special education teachers work with children that have physical disabilities. For instance, they may be in wheelchairs, have birth defects, be blind or deaf. Many of these students will be placed under a teacher's care that has skills working with the type of disability. For instance, students that are blind will have different needs than those in wheelchairs. Therefore, teachers with experience dealing with one type of disability normally will deal with children that fall under their expertise level.

Other Types of Disabilities

There are children that have learning disabilities that are not as apparent as a physical disability. There are those with language and speech problems, autism, mild or severe retardation, and others that have more than one disability going on at the same time. Special education teachers have to be very organized when it comes to teaching and helping children with a variety of disabilities.

In most states those that want to work as special education teachers specialize in this area while completing their teaching credentials. Of course, no amount of training in the classroom can instill a compassion that is needed to help students learn regardless of their disability. This is learned with a desire to help and actually working with the students.