Posts Tagged Special
School Psychologist Or Degree In Special Education?
I’m getting ready to apply to grad schools but am unsure of what I want to focus on. My B.S. is in Human Development and Family Studies with a focus on childhood.
I am interested in working with children that have special needs but I do NOT want to be a teacher. I prefer one to one or small groups. I also like the idea of coming up with behavior/treatment plans for the children to focus on their needs. Therapist positions or Early Intervention appeal to me (not so much physical or occupational therapy. More on the behavioral/developmental side of things.) And although it’s not my top priority, salary is a concern of mine.
What Master’s degree would be most beneficial?
Parents Of Special Education / Autistic Child?? Help?
I’m going to tell you exactly what happened. Please help me figure this out.
August 24- I received a call from The Speech Patholgist from the school saying they wanted to test my 3 year old for Autism (I had requested it).
Aug 25- My husband took my daughter to the school and they did some testing (which I have no clue what test it was and my husband said they played with blocks, picked out colors, basic stuff) and they gave my husband a questionairre. He told me that evening that he couldn’t really see it and he didn’t understand some of the questions.
Aug 26- The Speech Path came to my classroom and gave me a questionairre and reviewed my husbands. I told her he really didn’t “get” most of it and couldn’t see some of the questions. OK, on the form I filled out, if she scored above an 85 she has Autism. Her score was a 150. I was immediately terrified and I asked the lady, “So, this means she’s got Autism???” And she said, “Yes.” She told me that we could have speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy in the home, home trainings, LOTS of resources and support.
Sept 4–My daughter had another test with the school Psychologist.
Sept 8–The school Psychologist pops into my classroom during my conference period and tells me that they need to complete the rest of the test on my daughter on Friday. I asked her the results of the testing so far and she didn’t know. I asked, “Did it show that she has Autism?” She said, “Well, yeah.” SOOOOOO….
YESTERDAY—I took off work and went with my husband to have the second part of the test. Here’s what happened. They did not have ANYTHING ready. I mean, if the test called for cut-out letters, they couldn’t find them. If they needed a cup, they had to stop the testing and find them. One part of the test called for some clothing, spoons, toothbrush and something else and they NEVER DID FIND THOSE THINGS, so I don’t even know how they could have scored it.
When they were done they told my husband and I that she is going to be categorized as Non-Categorical Early Childhood with a Suspicion of Autism and Speech Impairment. So, I was PI$$ED. I said, “But you told me she had Autism.” They they crawfished and backpedaled saying that they didn’t diagnose her and I said AGAIN that they had TOLD ME IT WAS AUTISM. Then they started talking about getting a diagnosis through a doctor. I was FLOORED. I bought 6 books THE DAY the woman told me it was Autism. I’ve been researching my **** off trying to figure out which services she needs. THEN they said that she would receive services at school. I’m confused. What happened from they time they said she had Autism to now? I don’t get it. Help please??????