What Careers are Available in Special Education, Early Intervention and the Related Services?

Whether you are a high school student, recent college graduate, general education teacher or mid-career changer, you can start on the road to personal fulfillment today!

There are many rewarding careers you can pursue in working with infants, children and youth with disabilities and their families.

Check out the career profiles below for special education teaching, early intervention specialist/early childhood teacher, related services and other careers to learn more about the preparation required, personal qualities, typical responsibilities, job outlook and sources of additional information for each of these careers.

Special Education Teaching

Special Education Teacher

Is making a positive impact on youth with disabilities significant to you? Investigate a career as a special education teacher!

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Considering a career in special education and thinking of working with students with autism spectrum disorders? Learn more about becoming a specialist in autism spectrum disorders!
Emotional or Behavioral Disorders

Do you have knowledge of behavioral strategies and interventions for students with emotional or behavioral disorders? Learn more about how you can utilize these skills.
High-incidence disabilities: Resource and/or Inclusion

Thinking about working with students with learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, and speech-language disorders? Learn more about this career in special education!
Low-incidence disabilities: Sensory, Developmental, and /or Multiple/ Severe Disabilities

Want to serve students who are working on communication, basic literacy, and functional skills for daily life? Learn how you can work with students with low-incidence disabilities.

Early Intervention Specialist/Early Childhood Teacher

Early Intervention Specialist/Early Childhood Special Educator

Consider becoming an early intervention specialist or early childhood special educator if you have a high energy level, enjoy working with infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers and have the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Related Services

Adapted Physical Education Teacher

Do you believe in the value of physical exercise for every student, regardless of ability level? Then check out how you can become an adapted physical education teacher.

Art Therapist

Are you artistic? Do you possess the capacity for insight into psychological processes? Art therapy may be in your future if you answered yes to these questions!

Educational Audiologists

Educational audiologists determine a course of treatment that will be best for students with hearing loss. Interested? Learn how to BECOME1!

Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired

Interested in being the communication link between deaf and hearing individuals in school settings? Check out how you can become an Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired.

Music Therapist

Have you considered how music can change lives? Learn how music therapists plan, organize, and direct music activities that will produce behavior changes in persons who have mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.

Occupational Therapist

Think you might be interested in providing children with services to promote functional, developmental and academic performance? Explore a career in occupational therapy.

Physical Therapist

Not sure what to do with your interest in anatomy and physiology? If you are able to work with a variety of people and are resourceful, check out a career as a physical therapist.