jobs helping autistic children?

Question

i want to know what careers there are that deal with treating children with autism and helping their families,etc. (not daycare worker or actual teacher more like psychologist type jobs)
also what schooling should i go through to get into this field.

Answer 1

Hi Christina,
You have a few options if you don't want to be a teacher. Here they are.

With a bachelor's degree, you can work as a behavior therapist in a public school (in most states). This doesn't guarantee that you will be working with autistic children, but they tend to be the majority of the caseload. Remember, in this job, you're working on behavior management with some of the most difficult students -- sometimes frustrating!

With a master's degree, you have a few more options. Here they are:

Child psychologist -- you would be working in the schools. Again, you are working with the entire special ed. population -- not just the autistic children. A lot of the work here is assessment and testing, but many also run groups and do some counseling. You need to be credentialed to do this job

Therapist -- you can find a job as a therapist either privately, or in non-public schools. Many schools are popping up across the nation servicing students with social and communicative disorders, such as autism. The best example is The HELP Group in Los Angeles. To be a therapist, you'll need a Master's in Social Work, or you can also get your MFT or MA in psychology.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

You will need a degree in Child Psychology. You could be a counselor in a school.

My son has Asperger's Syndrome, which is part of the Autism spectrum of disorders. He is in regular public school, but they have a special ed program. They have several psychologists that are in that school who work in the program. My son has 2 classes a day in special ed and the rest of his classes are in the general school population. They do problem resolution by using roll playing and it has helped my son so much. His school has a really good program. You could really make a big difference in a child's life by pursuing this career. Go for it!

I have a very high opinion of the counselors in my son's school who have helped him out. I cannot thank them enough for all of the ways that my child has improved over the last 2 years since he was diagnosed. They have been a God-send.

Answer 3

To get a "psychologist type job" you will need a post graduate degree in psychology or counselling. A good way to find out more about the field and get experience with autistic children is to volunteer for your local autism society.

Answer 4

There are school that help children that are autistic but I can tell you that it is a very hard thing to deal with I should know my son has a form of it. it does get to you after time. I would call up a school that treat children with special needs they would tell you what you need to do and what kind of schooling you need.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

Contact The Ann Arbor Center for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 3135 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48108.

If they can't help you, at least they'll steer you in the right direction.