I am interested in working with mentally disabled children- autism, asperger's, down sydrome, ect. I don't know what field to go into, however. I have considered psychology and occupational therapy...I am very dedicated to this goal, but I can't figure out what the best way to get into it would be. Does anybody have ideas?

Yea I got one

Take Psyc Courses in Undergraduate and go to occupational therapy school =). Why do you need a degree in psychology when you can use what you learned from undergraduate in occupational therapy school (Teaching and Instructing someone to do fine motor skills like trying a shoe or combing hair. Get a degree that you will actually use =]. I know people with psyc degrees that really arent doing anything in psycology.

So take elective courses in Human Development, Abnormal Psyc, etc

My undergrad major is in psychology and the school I go to doesn't have occupational therapy. So, I intend to get this degree in psych for now, and I've been thinking of doing my masters in occupational therapy. I just wasn't sure, really, where you get into working with children that have developmental diseases/disabilities. I know thats what I want to do.

Find a childrens hospital and work/volunteer/observe with the occupational therapist there or volunteer at an "Exeptional school for mentally challenged kids". If no luck then do a regular hospital =\.

Thank you for the advice. I am lucky in that there is a large school for mentally challenged kids/adults, functioning at all different levels. I bet I could volunteer there with the occupational therapy department and see how I feel about a career in OT.


Find a childrens hospital and work/volunteer/observe with the occupational therapist there or volunteer at an "Exeptional school for mentally challenged kids". If no luck then do a regular hospital =\.