Special needs nannies who work with disabled children are in high demand these days. With the rise in the birth of special needs children, and the complexity of a dual-income home, nannies with skills in special education and therapy can make a positive difference and a financially rewarding career.
Many special education assistants and teacher often choose to do care giving full-time. Although it is often less lucrative than teaching, care giving for disabled children can offer consistent full-time employment that will rarely, if ever, get underfunded or outsourced. It is a rewarding career for some people who have a disabled child or adult in their lives. It is not difficult for someone to take the skills they learned and apply it on a professional level.
Especially in high demand are caregiver who can offer support to children who are physically disabled. These children, unlike many that fall into the special needs category, need consistent assistance when it comes to even the smallest of details. This differs significantly from caregivers of children with Downs Syndrome and autism, where the children are independent as far as their fine motor skills. Special needs nannies who work with physically disabled children is a challenge that takes a certain amount of education, patience, and determination. It also take a genuine love of care giving, specifically for the child.
Early childhood education classes provide the potential caregiver with insights and strategies in for working with and teaching disabled children. In autism and ADHD, applied behavioral analysis has been beneficial in teaching appropriate educational and behavioral response in affected children. Other plans and programs are available to care providers of aspects of being a special needs nanny. Care providers often take courses to ‘specialize’ in a specific disorder or disability. This provides them with extensive knowledge in an area where they hope to focus their care
It is important for a nanny who cares for disabled children to be current on any and all CPR and first aid certifications. This can be the difference between life or death, especially for a vulnerable disabled child. There are basic courses for everyone, but it is also possible to get a Healthcare Provider CPR certification, which is bit more intensive and involves teaching the basics of a defibrillator.
The best source for finding a special needs nanny, is through a caregiver referral service, which often pre-screens all applicants and checks on verifiable education and work experiences. Families with special needs children have many specifications for the needs of the particular child. For example, when there is child with autism, you may want to find a nanny who has direct experience with children with autism or has a speech and occupational therapy background.