Sample interview questions: Can you describe a challenging situation you encountered while working with students with special needs and how you handled it?
Sample answer:
Sure, here is a description of a challenging situation I encountered while working with students with special needs and how I handled it:
Situation:
One of my students, an 8-year-old boy with autism, was having difficulty with transitions throughout the school day. It affected his overall learning as he would get overwhelmed and unfocused. When things did not go as he expected, he would often have tantrums and lash out at his peers as well as adults.
How I handled it:
To support this student and facilitate his learning, I developed a visual schedule with pictures of each subject and activity for the day. I would go through the schedule with him at the beginning of the day to ensure he understood the plan for the day and what was expected of him. I worked with the student to identify his triggers and develop coping strategies. This helped him to understand his emotions and develop self-regulation skills.
To assist with transitions, I implemented a “First-Then” strategy. I would tell him what he needed to do first, and then what he could do after. For example, “First, you need to finish your math worksheet, then you can go to recess.” This helped him to stay focused on the task at hand.
Additionally, I frequently checked in with him throughout the day and provided frequent positive reinforcement. I acknowledged his efforts and praised him for his progress.
As time went on, the student’s challenging behaviors gradually decreased. He was able to make smoother transition… Read full answer
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/4_0_2/Special%20Education%20Teacher