Early Childhood Special Education Teacher

Special education classes give school-aged children an opportunity to learn in a way that caters to their cognitive, emotional, or mental challenges. But, what happens when the person suffering from these challenges is a very young child? To prepare the youngest soon-to-be students for school and the day-to-day challenges of life, Early Childhood Special Education Teachers step into the role.

As an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, you don’t tell your students that “the world is their oyster.” Instead, you teach youngsters how to cope in a world that’s filled with daily challenges.

For children preparing to enter school (preschoolers), you might perform the tasks of an Occupational Therapist, helping each child properly grip a pencil or write letters. You might also emulate a Speech Therapist, offering speech exercises for lisps and vacant “l’s”. Not all of your patients are preparing for school, however. In fact, you might even work with infants and toddlers to improve mobility, help with language skills, or identify disabilities.

You might work in a clinic, hospital, school, or other establishment. Typically, students are sent to you following a precursory evaluation by their Medical Doctor, Psychologist, or Preschool Teacher. You’re an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, so your job is to teach new skills. You do that by performing diagnostic tests, creating a treatment plan, and using your knowledge to make a difference in each child’s life.