For many people, working in special education is more than a job. It is a vocation or calling that feels very rewarding. Maybe they have a sibling with special needs who didn’t get proper support during childhood. Perhaps they see a need and want to help fill it.
Some people obtain degrees to become special education teachers, but they aren’t the only ones helping children with developmental disabilities and other challenges. Many school districts also employ numerous special educational support professionals.
These professionals help provide one-on-one support to specific students or assist teachers in the management of hectic special education classrooms. There are a number of stressors and risks that come with working in special education. Exposure to workplace violence is one of the most pressing concerns.
Statistics show higher risk for certain educational professionals
Evaluating work safety concerns often requires an analysis of reported job safety incidents. Research makes it relatively clear that those who provide support in a special education setting have more risk than many other professionals.
Special education assistants have nearly three times the risk of getting hurt as other educational assistants and many times more risk than teachers. Research shows that non-licensed professionals providing special education support services sustain injuries due to student aggression frequently.
Approximately 4.54 special education support professionals per 100 full-time employees sustain injuries caused by students in any given year. That rate is 1.59 per 100 full-time employees for other educational support staff and 0.80 per 100 full-time employees for licensed educational professionals.
Students who require special education services may struggle with emotional self-regulation. They may also fail to recognize support professionals as authority figures and might therefore treat them with less regard than they do the licensed teacher in the classroom. Those just trying to help can end up hurt when a child lashes out in a fit of frustration or anger.
Thankfully, workers’ compensation can help. Injured special education professionals may qualify for both disability benefits while they take time off to heal and medical coverage for the treatment they require.
Being aware of workplace job issues can help people to more effectively advocate for their safety and make appropriate benefits claims as necessary. Workers’ compensation benefits can protect even part-time professionals who are only in a classroom for a few hours every week. With that said, special education professionals may need help navigating the benefits system to get the support they require after a violent incident at work, and that’s okay.