17 Special Needs Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

Children with special needs often require extra care and attention in the classroom. That’s where special needs assistants, or SNAs, come in. SNAs work with children who have physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities.

If you’re interested in becoming an SNA, you’ll need to pass an interview. This guide will give you an overview of the types of questions you may be asked, as well as some tips on how to answer them.

When you go in for your interview, the interviewer will likely ask you questions about your experience working with children, as well as your educational background. They may also ask you questions about your availability, and how you would handle certain situations.

Are you comfortable working with people who have special needs?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience working with special needs students and can handle their unique challenges. If you don’t have direct experience, you can talk about how your personality traits make you a good fit for this role.

Example: “I’ve worked in my current school district for five years now, and I love it here because of all the different personalities we get to work with every day. I’m comfortable working with people who have special needs because I understand what they’re going through and know how to help them succeed. I also enjoy helping others learn new skills and overcome challenges.”

What are some of the most important skills that a special needs assistant should have?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary for the job. They want someone who is compassionate, patient and organized. When answering this question, think about what skills you possess that are important for special needs assistants. Explain why these skills are beneficial in your answer.

Example: “The most important skill a special needs assistant should have is patience. Working with children can be challenging at times, so it’s important to remain calm when they’re having meltdowns or acting out. Another important skill is organization. I find that keeping everything neat and tidy makes things easier for everyone. It also helps me keep track of all the students’ schedules and assignments. Finally, compassion is an important skill because you need to care about the well-being of the students.”

How would you handle a situation where your client is having a meltdown?

Special needs assistants often work with students who have emotional or behavioral challenges. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle these situations and keep them from disrupting the classroom. In your answer, explain that you would try to calm the student down as quickly as possible. You can also mention any specific techniques you use for calming special needs students.

Example: “I’ve worked with many special needs students in my career, so I’m used to handling meltdowns. If a student is having a meltdown, I will first try to get their attention by calling their name. Once they look at me, I’ll speak calmly and slowly to let them know what I need them to do. For example, if they are acting out because they want to go to the bathroom, I will tell them that they can go after they finish their current task. This usually calms them down enough to complete the task.”

What is your experience working with children with special needs?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience working with special needs children. They want to know if you have any previous experience and how it relates to the job. If you do not have experience, explain what steps you would take to gain that experience before starting the job.

Example: “I have worked with children with special needs for five years now. I started as a teacher’s aide in my local public school district where I helped students with learning disabilities. I also volunteered at a local hospital where I assisted patients who had developmental disabilities.”

Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to help a client or patient.

Special education assistants often have to go above and beyond for their students. Employers ask this question to see if you are willing to do the same in your role as a special education assistant. When answering this question, think of an example from your previous experience that shows how dedicated you are to helping others.

Example: “In my last position, I had a student who was nonverbal. This made it difficult for him to communicate his needs. One day, he started crying because he wanted something to eat but couldn’t tell us what he wanted. I decided to try feeding him different foods until we found one he liked. After doing this several times, we were able to find out what food he wanted. He would then point to it when he wanted more.”

If you could change one thing about the way special needs individuals are treated, what would it be?

This question is a great way to determine how you feel about the current state of special needs education. It also allows employers to see what your values are and whether they align with their own. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you would change in your school or district if you had the power to do so.

Example: “I would like to see more inclusion for special needs students in general education classrooms. I believe that by integrating these students into regular classes, we could help them learn social skills and make friends. This would allow them to have more meaningful experiences and develop important life skills.”

What would you do if you were assigned to work with a client who has a severe behavioral disorder?

Special needs assistants often work with clients who have behavioral disorders. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle these situations and keep yourself safe. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to diffuse the situation. Share that you would always try to remain calm in these situations.

Example: “I once worked with a client who had severe ADHD. He was very energetic and sometimes got into trouble for acting out. I learned that he really enjoyed playing basketball, so I started bringing my basketball to work and we played together during breaks. This helped him burn off some of his energy and calmed him down when he became upset. It also gave us something fun to do together.”

How well do you understand the various types of disabilities?

Special needs assistants must be able to understand the various types of disabilities and how they affect students. This question helps employers determine if you have experience working with special needs students. In your answer, explain which disabilities you are familiar with and what challenges those disabilities present.

Example: “I’ve worked in a school setting for five years now, so I am very familiar with the different types of disabilities that students may have. Some of the most common disabilities I see are autism, ADHD and intellectual disabilities. Each disability presents its own unique challenges, but I know how to work with each student to help them overcome their obstacles.”

Do you have any disabilities that you currently struggle with?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can perform the job duties and responsibilities. They want to know that you are able to do your job well despite any disabilities you may have. In your answer, explain how you overcome challenges with your disability. Show them that you are committed to doing what it takes to be successful in the role.

Example: “I have dyslexia, which makes reading difficult for me. However, I am very motivated to succeed at my work. I always try to read as much as possible so I can understand what I’m reading. I also use technology to help me learn new things. For example, I use a screen reader on my computer to read websites to me. This helps me get through all of my daily tasks.”

When working with a team of other professionals, how do you handle constructive criticism from your colleagues?

Special education assistants often work with a team of other professionals, including teachers and therapists. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle constructive criticism from your colleagues without taking it personally. Use your answer to show that you are willing to learn from others and improve your skills.

Example: “I understand that my colleagues have my best interests at heart when they give me feedback on how I can do my job better. When someone gives me constructive criticism, I take a few minutes to think about what they said before responding. If I disagree with their feedback, I try to explain why in as calm and respectful way as possible. If I agree with the feedback, I thank them for helping me grow as an assistant.”

We want to improve our communication with the parents of our clients. What would you do to improve our communication with parents?

Special education assistants often work with parents to ensure they understand their child’s progress and how the school is helping them. An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you can help improve a current program. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to make sure parents feel informed and supported.

Example: “I think it’s important for parents to know that I am always available to answer questions or concerns. If a parent has any questions or concerns, I would encourage them to contact me at any time. I would also try to communicate with parents in different ways. For example, I could send weekly emails with updates on each student’s progress and hold monthly meetings where parents can ask questions and get to know other parents.”

Describe your experience working with adults with special needs.

This question can help interviewers understand your experience level and how you feel about working with special needs students. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of an adult who benefited from your work or the ways in which you helped them succeed.

Example: “I have worked with adults with special needs for five years now. In my last position, I was responsible for helping one of our teachers create lesson plans that were inclusive of all learning styles. This included creating activities that could be done by individuals with physical disabilities as well as those with cognitive disabilities. The teacher and I would meet weekly to discuss what we wanted to accomplish during the week and how we could make sure everyone was getting the most out of their education.”

What makes you the best candidate for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Consider what makes you unique from other applicants and highlight these qualities in your answer.

Example: “I am passionate about working with special needs students because I understand what it’s like to be on the receiving end of care. In my previous position, I was the only special education assistant at my school, so I had to wear many hats. I learned how to manage time effectively and work well under pressure. These skills have helped me become an excellent problem solver and communicator.”

Which computer programs or software have you used in the past with your previous clients or patients?

Special needs assistants often use computer programs or software to help their clients and patients with daily tasks. An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience using these types of tools. In your answer, describe the specific programs you’ve used in the past and what they helped you do.

Example: “In my previous role as a special education assistant, I worked with students who had many different learning disabilities. One program that I found very helpful was SMART Notebook, which is an interactive notebook tool that helps teachers create lessons for students with visual impairments. Another program I used frequently was Dragon NaturallySpeaking, which allows users to dictate into a computer instead of typing.”

What do you think is the most important thing that special needs assistants can do to help their clients?

This question can help interviewers understand your values and how you approach your work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on the skills that are most important for special needs assistants to have in order to support their clients’ success.

Example: “I think one of the most important things special needs assistants can do is provide a safe environment where their students feel comfortable asking questions or expressing themselves. I believe that when students feel confident in their abilities and supported by their teachers, they’re more likely to succeed. In my last role, I worked with a student who was very anxious about speaking in front of the class. I would often pull him aside after lessons to ask him questions and give him positive feedback so he could practice his public speaking skills.”

How often do you think special needs assistants should check in with their clients?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how often you check in with your students and their parents. They want to know that you’re keeping them informed about the student’s progress, as well as any challenges they might be facing. In your answer, explain what steps you take to communicate regularly with families.

Example: “I think it’s important for special needs assistants to check in with their clients’ families at least once a week. This allows me to keep families updated on my students’ progress and let them know if I notice anything unusual or unexpected. It also gives me an opportunity to address any concerns or questions they have about their child’s education.”

There is a miscommunication between you and your client. How do you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether you have the ability to resolve it. When answering, try to be as specific as possible about what happened and how you resolved the situation.

Example: “I once had a student who was very excited for recess but didn’t want to go back inside after lunch. I told him we would play outside again after our next lesson, but he still wanted to stay out longer. He started throwing his pencils on the floor and yelling at me. I calmly explained that we could only play outside during recess and that we needed to get back to work. He threw his papers around some more before finally calming down and returning to his seat.”