Special Educator As A Career

summary
Professional Opportunities
Career Path
Leading Institutes
Institutions Abroad
Entrance Exams
Work Description
Pros & Cons

Special Educator

Summary

Special Education is a domain dealing with specially designed methods for instruction, training and support for children with special needs due to disabilities. Such disabilities may include learning disabilities, physical disabilities, developmental disorders and behavioral problems. The aim of special education is to empower children with special needs to successfully cope with their disabilities and develop their skills to the fullest potential.

Career Opportunities as a Special Educator

Special Education Teacher
Special Education Teachers are educators specifically trained to deal with students with a broad range of physical, emotional, learning and motor disabilities. They work to educate such children by teaching them reading, writing, communication and various subjects. They also impart specific skills that help the children to adapt to their surroundings and live happy, adjusted lives. They can find work in public and private schools, NGOs and rehabilitation centres.

How to Become a Special Educator

	Stream	Graduation	After Graduation	After Post Graduation
path 1	Clear Class XII in Any stream	Pursue Bachelors in any discipline for 3 years/	Pursue Bachelors in Education/Special Education for 2 years	Pursue Masters in Special Education for 2 years
path 2	Clear Class XII in any stream	Pursue Bachelors in any discipline for 3 years	Pursue Bachelors in Education/Special Education for 2 years	-
path 3	Clear Class XII in any stream	Pursue Bachelors in any discipline for 3 years	Pursue Post Graduate Diploma Programme in Early Childhood Special Education/Special Education for 1 year	-

Important Facts

B.A./B.Sc.with 2 teaching subjects. With minimum 50% aggregate OR B.Ed with minimum 50%

Leading Institutes

Top Special Education Institutes in India

College	Location	Website
Lady Irwin College	New Delhi	www.ladyirwin.edu.in/index.aspx
Jamia Millia Islamia	New Delhi	www.jmi.ac.in/
Kurukshetra University	Kurukshetra	www.kuk.ac.in/
Banaras Hindu University	Uttar Pradesh	www.bhu.ac.in/
SNDT Women's University	Mumbai	www.sndt.ac.in/
Andhra University	Vishakhapatnam	www.andhrauniversity.edu.in/
Helen Keller College of Special Education	Andhra Pradesh	www. http
Tamana	New Delhi	www.tamana.org/
National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped	Maharashtra	www.nimhindia.gov.in/
Action for Autism	New Delhi	www.autism-india.org/
Panjab University	Chandigarh	www.puchd.ac.in/

Top Special Education Institutes in the World

Institution	Location	Website
Londons Global University	United Kingdom	www.ucl.ac.uk/
Vanderbilt University	United States	www.vanderbilt.edu/
University of Cambridge	United Kingdom	www.cam.ac.uk
Ohio State University	United States	www.osu.edu/
University of Florida	United States	www.ufl.edu/
University of Wisconsin-Madison	United States	www.wisc.edu/
University of New South Wales	Australia	www.unsw.edu.au/
LaTrobe University	Australia	www.latrobe.edu.au/
University of Sydney	Australia	www.sydney.edu.au/
University of Manchester	United Kingdom	www.manchester.ac.uk/
University of Bristol	United Kingdom	www.bristol.ac.uk/

Important Entrance Exams

Postgraduate

Institution	Tentative Date	Important Elements	Website
Lady Irwin College B.Ed Special Education (MR) Entrance	June	General Knowledge, Mental and Teaching aptitude, English Comprehension, General. Aptitude, Subject Test	www.ladyirwin.edu.in/bed_special_education.aspx
Jamia Millia Islamia B.Ed Special Education Entrance	June	General Ability, Language Proficiency, Subject Comprehension	www.jmi.ac.in/aboutjamia/departments/Non-Formal-Education/courses-name/BEdSpecial_Education-257/1
Banaras Hindu University UET	June	Teaching aptitude, Reasoning, Current Educational Scenario, Subject Knowledge	www.bhuonline.in/

Work Description

These professionals are involved with special children, i.e., children with developmental disorders, learning disabilities, etc.

Administer tests to help determine children's developmental levels, needs, or potential
Arrange indoor or outdoor space to facilitate creative play, motor-skill activities, or safety
Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise pre-school programmes
Confer with parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, or administrators to resolve students' behavioural or academic problems
Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development
Employ special educational strategies or techniques
Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs of students, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and technologies

Pros & Cons of a Career as a Special Educator

Pros

It is a highly rewarding career, with the opportunity to make a difference to a child’s life.
There is a dearth of highly qualified and trained special educators in India, so jobs are readily available for those who are skilled.

Cons

The work can be physically and emotionally demanding.
Special education teachers do not always get the appreciation and respect they deserve.
A lot of time has to be spent in planning and developing educational charts and plans.

Class 8-9

Class 10-12

Graduates

Programs

Class 8-9

Class 10-12

Graduates

Resources

Career Library

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