Hello Angela,

Here in Australia we have Music Therapy programs for Autistic children.  Music Therapy is a recognised program here and I am sure that you could complete it online with some face to face contact.  It can be tedious trawling through the internet to find information, but if it is specifically music then maybe investigating a music therapy association or austism services, is the way to go.

regards,  Alison

I teach elementary special ed and did my master's in reading and literacy through Walden University; great on-line program that I would recommend to anybody - I was so pleased and learned so much - networked with teachers all over the country, too.    That program with Walden has several options but you might find a better program where you move to - in special education.  You definitely are heading into a field without enough teachers....  You can't do Walden for a bit then quit...  not a part-time program either - I did work fulltime on my master's with Walden and teach fulltime also...  I would recommend that you look into a sped master's program after you get settled somewhere - the Walden program is great for people already teaching and who can use their kids to do the assignments and complete the portfolio - very intense but not a program that you stop and start....

Hope that helps.

CL N.

I am a substitute teacher, former full time mom and minister's wife.  Over the last twenty-five years I have had various experiences working with special needs children and adults.  My BA is Music Ed., but recently I have become deeply interested in working with Autistic children.   I have never been very ''career minded,'' but after several long term teaching assignments working with special needs children in the UK I have decided what I really want to do when I grow up (it has only taken me 45 years to sort this out) is work with children with developmental difficulties.

My question for the forum is where do I go from here?  Currently my husband is finishing up a Ph.D. at Cambridge University.  We will likely be moving back to the States in the summer, but at this point in time we have no idea where we will be.  I think an online M.Ed. program is probably the way to go, but I don't want a program which focuses on state certification, since we don't know what state we will be living in. I have no idea which programs are credible or what programs would be widely acceptable. I would like to be able to start my studies right away since in the current economic climate my full time substitute teaching job here has become a part time endeavour.  Any thoughts or advice would be deeply appreciated.