Special Needs Assistant Training Courses: Become an SNA

Considering a Special Needs Assistant Training Course? 

If you would like to learn more about special needs, a special needs assistant training course may be a perfect choice for you. A special needs assistant course will provide you with all the skills and knowledge you need to know. In addition, this course could be your first step to working with individuals with special needs. The good news is there are lots of special needs assistant training courses currently available. They offer good flexibility too for those of us leading such busy lives. Special needs assistant training courses are available in part-time and full-time options, in person and online.  

What Are Special Needs? 

Special needs cover a wide range of disabilities. These include mild learning disabilities to moderate learning disabilities to more severe or profound learning disabilities. Special needs also include hearing or visual impairments, emotional disturbance, physical disabilities, dyslexia, Asperger’s and autism. 

What Does a Special Needs Assistant Do? 

The primary role of a special needs assistant, also known as an SNA, is to provide guidance and support for students with additional learning needs and disabilities. SNA’s assist teachers and make sure children with additional needs gain access to all areas of the curriculum. The typical daily role of a special needs assistant includes assisting the teacher with preparing classroom materials and assisting children and providing support as needed.  

In addition to ensuring the social, emotional and physical needs of the children are met and working with the children outside and inside the classroom. Finally, assisting children with hygiene needs such as feeding, clothing, toileting and general hygiene. They often carry out more tasks than the ones you read here, however, these are the main duties you can expect when working as a special needs assistant.  

What Will I Learn? 

Each special needs assistant training course varies depending on the course provider and the level of the course. However, there are some universal topics you can expect to learn in almost any special needs assistant training course. Therefore, you can expect to explore the context of special needs and good practice for individuals with special needs.  

You will also learn about special needs assisting skills, record keeping and disability awareness. Also, you will explore equal opportunities, integration and inclusion, Irish legislation relating to individuals with special needs and individual education plans (IEP’s). In addition, you will learn about general learning difficulties and educational provisions.  

You will also be provided with an introduction to special needs assistants, what they are and what they are required to do in the job role. The SNA curriculum and interventions will also be covered in relation to theories and curriculum models and behaviour management in order to promote independent and responsible learning opportunities. Finally, you can expect to learn about personal skill development and how to help individuals with special needs develop a skill set.  

If you’re serious about doing a special needs assistant training course, check out courses near you in the Nightcourses.co.uk national course finder.