Janie Grace Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 (edited) She doesn't want to be a teacher -- doesn't like the idea of dealing with that many kids all at once, all day. She likes the idea of child psychologist. I have suggested speech pathologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist -- with an focus on children. She wants to work directly with kids, so not advocating in court or writing curriculum -- interacting one-on-one or in small groups. Any other ideas? How do I help her evaluate each option? Any tips on career paths? Edited September 1, 2016 by Janie Grace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 She could work at a children's hospital. Lots of contact with children on an individual basis in all kinds of different health related fields. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 She could work at a children's hospital. Lots of contact with children on an individual basis in all kinds of different health related fields. That's a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Pediatric Occupational, speech, physical therapist. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 If she has an interest in special education, the adult to child ratio can be very small. Dd worked at a special needs summer camp for kids who couldn't handle a regular camp. She was in charge of one or two campers at a time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Child Life Specialist in a hospital. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne in CA Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Art therapy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 (edited) Pediatric Occupational, speech, physical therapist. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Any tips on how to choose between these? What kind of person would enjoy or thrive in which field? Or is it more just a matter of interest? Edited September 1, 2016 by Janie Grace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Any tips on how to choose between these? What kind of person would enjoy or thrive in which field? Or is it more just a matter of interest? The Occupational Outlook Handbook might have some helpful information. She could also shadow some people who are already working in each field to get a feel for what they do. Keep in mind that each of these specialities can work in different environments, too. Occupational, speech and physical therapists all work in hospitals, rehab facilities, homes, schools, and private offices. Each of these settings will lend themselves to different types of work within the field. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Audiologist Goes along with speech. There are three kinds of auditory processing disorder, and they're learning more all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 How old is she? I'd suggest volunteering in adaptive rec programs. Those programs often need one-on-one volunteers to assist individuals in an activity. I know many young people whose volunteer experience in this area led them toward PT or OT. The most common adaptive rec program is aquatics. I'd start by looking at what your park authority offers and inquiring there. As she volunteers she can get to know therapeutic rec staff who can tell her about multiple related fields beyond the typical PT, OT and SL we all think of first. Plus she will start getting a feel for the multiple types of kids on these programs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janeway Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 What about a nurse or a child life specialist? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 Pediatric psychologist/therapist and speech therapist are good fields. Pediatric physical therapists get paid very well around here because there a so few with pediatric expertise. The one I know absolutely loves her career helping kida overcome injury. Sport medicine is another as many middle and high schools with top notch sports programs are keeping consultants on staff and especially with the new concussion protocols. Nutritionist comes to mind as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted September 1, 2016 Author Share Posted September 1, 2016 How old is she? I'd suggest volunteering in adaptive rec programs. Those programs often need one-on-one volunteers to assist individuals in an activity. I know many young people whose volunteer experience in this area led them toward PT or OT. The most common adaptive rec program is aquatics. I'd start by looking at what your park authority offers and inquiring there. As she volunteers she can get to know therapeutic rec staff who can tell her about multiple related fields beyond the typical PT, OT and SL we all think of first. Plus she will start getting a feel for the multiple types of kids on these programs. She's 17. This is a great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Yell Posted September 1, 2016 Share Posted September 1, 2016 What are her other interests, and what is she already good at? Almost anything can have a focus with children. Does she have a heart for special needs? Gifted? The sick or hurting? The athletes? Is she a good teacher, or caregiver? Coach? Dancer? Artist? Does she want to pursue her schooling through a masters or doctorate? Or associate or certificate/diploma? What age kids does she do best with? Infants, toddler, preschoolers, elementary, middle,school, high school? Help her figure out what she would want to do anyway, and the figure out how to make it work with children. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Any tips on how to choose between these? What kind of person would enjoy or thrive in which field? Or is it more just a matter of interest? Ask her which she would prefer to do: coaching a youth sports team or leading story hour at the library? Pediatric PT's and OT's in my experience tend to be very boisterous and into hands-on, kinesthetic activities. SLP's tend to be more sedate and into verbal/literacy activities. PT requires a 4 year doctorate after the bachelor's. OT and SLP require a master's that takes 2-3 years (depending on whether the student took the pre-req classes as part of the bachelor's or not). Audiology requires a 4 year doctorate. Psychology requires a doctorate that is typically 4-5 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 She wants to work directly with kids, so not advocating in court Then she should rule out being a psychologist. Mental health professionals get called as witnesses in custody cases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted September 2, 2016 Share Posted September 2, 2016 Teachers of the Deaf and Teachers of the Visually Impaired often work 1:1 as "itinerant" teachers. My daughter's ToD comes out to her school one hour every other week to work with her and help her classroom teacher. I did an observation last spring of a TVI who does similar itinerant work with a deafblind student for my Intro to Deafblindness course. That student gets 2 hours per week with the TVI and it alternates between home sessions and the preschool for the deaf that the girl attends. Orientation and Mobility Specialist is another career if she's interested in working with the visually impaired. If she worked for the schools, her students would be aged 3-21. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth 2 Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 What about pediatric nutritionist? My previous employer's wife worked at one in a major hospital system in Ohio while he was in dental school. She worked with kids with chronic and life threatening illnesses like cancer or diabetes. She had previously worked in WIC working with moms and kids who very much benefited from the education. I know she had a master's degree, but I'm not certain if only a BS would be enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mzstewart Posted September 3, 2016 Share Posted September 3, 2016 I am a mental health therapist. My office treats children and families but we only see adults if they are the guardians of the children we are already seeing. 90% of our clients are under 18. We work mostly in the schools and run a mental health summer camp. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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