What are the skills of a special needs teacher?

Expert-level organizational skills are needed to be a successful special needs teacher.

Often special needs teachers are teaching students who are extremely in-tune with their environment and have trouble processing when their environment is out of order. Therefore, the teacher must make sure that the environment is organized as much as possible.

When a child is taught in an organized environment, they will have opportunities to gain higher confidence levels. Additionally, special needs teachers must keep records to accurately report students' accomplishments to administrators and parents.

Since all children have different learning styles, a special needs teacher must have the ability to adapt lessons that work for each child's strengths. In certain circumstances, students may function well but have social interaction problems. Others may not be able to perform basic speaking or motor skills.

When designing daily activities and plans for the classroom, a teacher must get creative to accommodate all children's needs.

Since disabilities may manifest each day differently, planning must also remain flexible. New teaching techniques are developed regularly, so teachers must remain knowledgeable of the most effective methods.

Special needs teachers must have extreme patience. They need to give their students more time to figure out the lessons and move into understanding and mastery.

No matter how long it takes, a special education teacher must give a child time to complete the task. A special needs teacher also needs the patience to comprehend each student's individual needs so that frustrating situations can be avoided.

Special needs teachers must also have radical acceptance skills, as they must interact with all kinds of children with dignity and respect.

Even children who cannot communicate properly or function at low developmental levels sense negativity, especially when a teacher acts uncomfortably. It is key to create a sense of value within the classroom so that all children have the maximum chances of gaining success.