I want to become a assistant teacher with special educational needs training

[Dyslexichick]

I'm starting a placement to train as an assistant teacher next week, but I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on training with the special needs side alongside my other training? Every training scheme I've looked are for people already working with children. If anybody could give me advice on how to achieve my goal -it would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[301606]

I am not a teaching assistant, however, I have qualifications in social work and counselling. No amount of training would have offered me the insight I needed in having a child with special education needs. From my knowledge does your local authority offer a portage scheme? Do they have children's centre's. Can you volunteer. If you live in the England you could subscribe to KIDS (newsletter). The parent partnership at KIDS is invaluable for parents. You could contact your local dyslexia action centre and do some volunteering or get on their course for teaching assistants. I also believe they have an on line course. Load to learn is a good website as is dyslexia action and dyslexia association. You could speak to a careers advisor. You could go into a school that caters for special education and do some volunteering. When you are in a job as a teaching assistant the most important thing you can do is to laise closely with the parents and build a special relationship and knowledge base with that child. I hope this helps. In Northallerton my friends daughter is starting a teaching assistant course and she is not in work. In the first instance you may have to do some volunteering......or become a teacher instead of a teaching assistant. I do not think you can isolate the teaching assistant course/theory from working with children with special education needs because u will need case studies. Speak to a careers advisor.

[301606]

if you have a placement maybe u need to walk before you can run, building up experience in the classroom with all children. Believe me the teacher will have you taking a group of children out with special education needs.

[Dyslexichick in reply to 301606]

I guess you mean "the teacher will NOT have you..." I know this, and I am going to start volunteering with all children in the classroom as of next week. I was just wondering if there was anyway I could gain more knowledge as to help me get on in this field. Thanks for your advice about the websites - I really appreciate it.

[301606]

WHAT I MEANT WAS THE TEACHER WILL HAVE YOU TAKING A GROUP OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS ESPECIALLY DURING NUMERACY AND LITERACY. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN MY CHILDRENS SCHOOL. YOU USE EVERY RESOURCE YOU CAN.

[Dyslexichick in reply to 301606]

Ok sorry. I know that's what will happen, that's what I want to do....Thanks for your advice.