> I finally quit my office job, and I wanted to try something different.
>
> So, I just got a job at the elementary school down the street. I'm now a special ed teacher's assistant. I'll be helping with mentally handicapped children.
>
> I'm pretty nervous, since I don't know anything about children. The fact that the kids are handicapped makes me even more apprehensive. I don't want to make a mistake and hurt somebody.
>
> Anyway, who here is familiar with mentally handicapped children? Any advice? My cousin is autistic (and he's actually named Raymond), but I haven't been around him much.
>
> Jez"Jack of all trades, master of none"zika

Look at the special ed teacher as your coach. He or she will steer you in the right direction. Don't hesitate to ask questions. You picked a tough job, but it can be very rewarding if you hang in there long enough. Keep smiling, those special kids will relate better to someone who is always pleasant. Even on the days when you think you got nowhere, you probably made a big difference. Hand out positive strokes every chance you get. Some of those kids don't get much encouragement at home. You won't have any trouble figuring out which parents are doing a good job. Talk to other teaching assistants and teachers. You will find some with a positive attitude, and those are the ones you can learn from. If special ed, doesn't work out for you, don't quit. You might be a great assistant in another class. From my observation, I'd say about one person out of three or four can handle special ed., so if you are still with it six months from now, you have real tallent. I taught a lot of years, but I know I couldn't have made it in special ed. Their class was right next door to mine.
Howard