I’m working with a family as they search programs for their daughter and could use some help as this is not my area of expertise.
Family has special needs children and one non-special needs daughter. The daughter has the ultimate desire of owning an unknown type business that employ’s special needs workers. She’s 17, so obviously this will evolve as time goes on.
In the meantime, I’m hoping to hear what anyone might suggest as I’m not even sure which questions to ask or where to begin. Perhaps beginning with simple questions such as are all Special Ed Degree Programs centered around teaching? Is a Masters mandatory? Would one need an MBA, or perhaps undergrad business degree? Where do I look for programs and schools? I’d appreciate any advice.
If she does not want to be a teacher, I would suggest a social work degree as the base college degree and perhaps a minor in areas related to special ed. Or a business degree with a minor in social work. I swear I saw a degree in non-profit management or something like that somewhere. I would also suggest looking at colleges in cities/states that do a good job with their special needs populations. California is the obvious one but oddly Arizona and Florida both have decent adult special needs services. This will give her good examples of what can be done and potential places to intern.
My colleague owns a rehab clinic and employs speech therapists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. He is an OT. All of these occupations work constantly with special needs students, at all levels, on a daily basis.
Given that I have worked with MSW’s in clinics and agencies, I wouldn’t suggest a degree in social work because if the owning of a business doesn’t come to fruition, then she’s “stuck” with a saturated degree where work options don’t offer a good return on her investment.
I often listened to my MSW colleagues, who were overworked and underpaid, as they lamented their decision to major in social work. They observed and remarked that their speech path colleagues had offices, scheduled appointment hours, good pay and were constantly in demand. My MSW colleagues had huge loans that they couldn’t repay, limited work options, and would ask me about getting into a “quick”, inexpensive, lateral-type degree to work in speech pathology.
I would recommend OT studies. My sister is an OT and is thinking about a rehab clinic business.
If they have an interest in Autism, St Joes in Philly has a program in Autism studies, with an on campus facility (Kinney Center). You can also minor in Special Education without going through the complete teaching program.
Does she want to work with special needs clients…or does she want to employ special needs individuals. There is a difference!
We have a cafe near here. Their model is to have developmentally disabled young adults and adults working alongside of typical peer employees. It’s a great model. The business owners did not have degrees in special education or a related field.
The place is BeanZ and it’s located in Avon CT. I would urge you to read about this great place and it’s model…which I do see as a wave for future work.