If you are considering pursuing a career in special education, the first thing you will need to decide upon is the area of special education you want to concentrate upon. When it comes to licensing, each state has its own requirements for each area of exceptionality. Nonetheless, by having a clear idea of the area of exceptionality you want to work with, you will be better prepared to pursue a career in the special education field. The following is a brief overview of the various types of special education you have to select from.

Students with Moderate Cognitive Disabilities

Students with moderate cognitive disabilities generally have very low IQs, though they still may be able to perform some every day functions. Although the IQ cut off will be determined by individual states and even by individual school districts, those students with IQs of 55 or below are generally considered to have moderate cognitive disabilities. While some of these students may be able to perform very basic math and read simple words, others may not be able to read or write at all and some may not even have the ability to communicate verbally.

Students with Mild Cognitive Disabilities

Students with mild cognitive disabilities are also on the lower end of the IQ scale, with many school districts considering a student to have a mild cognitive disability if his or her IQ is 75 or less. These students should have no problem with communication and should be able to do basic math and should be able to read, though they will generally read at a level that is far below what would be expected for their age.

Students with Learning Disabilities

Students with learning disabilities generally have a severe problem with learning how to read or how to perform mathematics. In general, reading disabilities are more common within this group. Although these students are of average IQ, their reading or mathematics abilities are not at the level that would be expected for their IQs or for their grade level. A high school student with a reading disability, for example, may read at a 2nd grade level despite being highly successful in mathematics and having a strong grasp of other school subjects.

Students with Emotional Disabilities

Students with emotional disabilities are of normal intelligence in terms of their IQs and are fully capable of learning at the same level and pace as their peers. Yet, due to emotional difficulties, they have a hard time keeping up with their class work. These emotional disabilities may manifest themselves in a number of ways, including severe anxiety, severe ADHD/ADD, anger issue, severe depression and more.

Students with Physical Disabilities

Students with physical disabilities may suffer from a variety of different physical problems, including paralysis, missing limbs or other issues that interfere with mobility or their ability to perform routine school tasks. These students may suffer from cognitive disabilities or they may have IQs in the gifted range. Nonetheless, they require additional assistance in order to be successful in school due to their physical problems.

Students with Sensory Disabilities

Depending upon the severity of the condition, student with hearing and vision disabilities may also attend public school. It is important to remember that a student who is considered to be legally blind may still be able to see some images and may even be able to read if the words are large enough. Students suffering from vision or hearing impairments may require special assistance when attending a public school. Or, if you are interested in working with students with these disabilities, you might find employment in a school that is dedicated to working with only those students who suffer from these conditions.

Students with Speech Difficulties

Another area of special education that you might want to pursue is that of a speech teacher. As a speech teacher, you might help students learn how to speak more clearly, how to form words correctly or how to communicate more effectively.