What is it like working with learning disabled people?

[Puppystarfish23]

I'm coming to the realisation in my life but I need a real career path and I should do something that makes me happy in my life whilst working. I don't know if I would have to go back to college but I'm starting to show a interest in working with learning disabled people a though people have suggested this career path to me but I always shrugged it off and worried Id react when seeing these people become distressed or acting out.

I'm dyslexic myself so I've grown up around lots of learning disabled people and learnt to understand them and love them as friends. My boyfriend also has a uncle who has down syndrome and we get on amazingly and my boyfriend even suggests I get into care because I'm a very caring person and know how to communicate with him in a way he feels uncomfortable asking me for help and he can talk to me when he's sad or worried without feeling judgement.

If I'm totally honest I hate most average people, because unfortunately a lot of people in this word are extremely self centered but when I'm around people who, how can I put this without sounding patronising leaning disabled I feel at peace because they are not focused on the same stuff a lot of today's society are focused on. They don't care for what people think about them , they care about what others have and what they don't. a lot of them are just happy in themselves and want to have a laugh and be happy and kind to others.

They really appreciate when someone shows them ture kindest and friendship and they will show you that in return and they are some of the most loving, kindest , loyal friends you will have in life. They are totally honest and can not lie and that's a quality I love in people. I just feel like this would be a super fun and rewarding career for me to get into but I'm aware its not all sunshine and rainbows.. Also without sounding up my own backside. I'm very pretty and in the past some men with learning disabilities have maybe gone abit to far.

[Knighted2170]

I have mild dyslexia. Mainly with numbers. So I can empathize with what you are dealing with.

It's not hard working with people who have disabilities. You just need to figure out how they learn they learn the best and what their strength are.

For a career path, I would say choose something you are passionate about. Or, something you are highly interested in. If you don't have experience study the field on your own so you can speak about what you learned in an interview. I've been hired in several positions because I learned on my own and I studied the field in-depth.

Hope that helps.

[AmandaYVR]

I've never worked with one.
My deal breaker is ADHD people. They drive me nuts. They never shut up and railroad people and conversations.

I'd like to make a suggestion to you, Puppy. I think you should try interacting with people here more. At the very least, on your qs. But also out there, on other peoples' qs too. I think your lack of engagement is a bit... uninspiring or something. I think many people need to learn this, about the online world, and social media. You write pretty well, the way you explain yourself. But it feels a bit like a bottomless pit, when a person is asking for feedback, advice, etc., but doesn't engage with the commenters who did take the time to write. I suggest you try that. You probably don't mean for it to look unappreciated, but I'm giving you (and others) a head's up, that it's how it can appear.

[Puppystarfish23]

I'm sorry I wasn't aware but it looked rude. I do appreciate every helpful comment I get but sometimes I just don't know what to say or don't feel as if it's needed

[AmandaYVR]

No need to apologize. Just thought I'd give you a head's up. (With many online, it's a choice, that they don't respond. But I think it just isn't very hospitable, or something.)
I'm not implying that one should overdo it, and feel expected to reply to everyone, or most people, even (that can look a little over-eager, or pandering a bit, and I think it also undervalues the ones whose comments really do stand out as being better, the person having made more of an effort, etc.)
But total silence... yes, it's a negative.

[Guanfei]

Most people don't have a job that makes them happy, they have a job that pays bills and maybe will allow them to do stuff that makes them happy.
You can try, you're young enough, but you will need a backup plan.
Working with disabled people is very hard, not very rewarding, and you have a very romanticized view of it. Most of what you've listed are the "good moments" they have, but those moments are more often than not exceptions. The rest of the time, you will find them very loud, angry, hard to understand, or difficult to help.

[Puppystarfish23]

I understand that too and that's the part I worry about to. Im aware its not easy and it's hard. I lived with it myself. I just try to look at positive side of things

[Puppystarfish23]

My boyfriends uncle lives next door to him and he has down syndrome. I've been there when he's crying and throwing chairs and it's heart breaking

[Guanfei]

I know that well, my sister is disabled too, basically a few months baby in the body of an adult. I've lived around her, and all the other disabled people of her specialized center, and I've seen by myself what kind of job that is.
You really have to be dedicated, because most of the time you won't get any gratitude for it. If you get frustrated or angry, you have to keep it inside while you're working.

[Mark83]

It is incredibly hard work but it can be very rewarding, too. I did it for a year and after that time I was exhausted - but I wouldn't want to miss the experience. Maybe try an internship or volunteer work to see if it's something you'd want to make a career of.

[Puppystarfish23]

I already volunteer at the charity my boyfriends family run actually. They have a social club for adults with learning disabilities and sometimes it's really hard because as bad as it sounds you can't control them and sometimes they can't control themselves and they can over step boundaries and act inappropriate but on the other hand I'm aware they can not help it and it's my job to teach but that type of behaviour is not okay and set boundaries.

But overall I love it and we have lots of laughs and fun. a lot of the women see me as a friend they can turn to when they want talk about man and make up and all things girly and it warms my heart but I can be that friend to them

[Mark83]

In that case I guess the best person to answer your question is yourself.