It's been awhile. I've been working a whole lot more than when I started, and when I'm not working I'm doing household chores or just relaxing with my hubby and puppy dog. Life is great right now, we are blessed beyond words here in Wisconsin. Friends to hang out with, a church family to be involved with, and jobs we both love.
I realized just the other day I wouldn't want to be doing anything other than what I'm doing right now. I'm a therapist...sounds strange, so "professional," but it's me. Working one on one, teaching kids even if they learn differently than other kids. I am blessed with the gift of teaching and patience (I still need to rely on the Lord for that sometimes though). And I absolutely love seeing the progress each of the kids make. Working with kids on the Autism spectrum is not easy, but when a kid masters a task I am overjoyed for him/her and his/her family.
I also find myself getting upset when others are ignorant or just plain disrespectful of an autistic child. I don't even like to use that label. Because Autism shouldn't define who the child is. It is my hope that the kids I'm working with are seen as who they really are...B with her love for animals and make believe, D with his desire to learn how things work and build, and R with her sweet smile. Each child is unique and I love seeing them learn and play and giggle and have fun just being a kid. I've found a new passion in working with kids I think, mainly because of the negative comments/reactions I've seen from others who just don't understand.
Over the summer I've been going to a special needs camp with one of the kids I work with. We went to our county fair last week. It's always an adventure taking a group of 10-15 kids with various special needs out in public, but it's even worse when you hear comments from teenagers none the less about how the kids are "retarded" or that "all of them have mental problems." Yes, those were some of the comments I heard as we were walking to the van after the visit to the fair. Kids who had nothing better to do than to sit in the parking lot and make fun of the group. It irritated me, and I really wanted to say something to them, but I kept my cool. I realized then, that this is not just a job for me, but that it is a cause I am willing to speak up about. To work towards bringing awareness about Autism spectrum disorders.
Let's face it, Autism is definitely on the rise. I'm sure most of you have seen that commercial of the boy with a friend who has Autism and he grows into a man with an Autistic son. While the reason behind the growing numbers may only be more diagnoses, the amount of children with Autism is increasing. And while I don't know if there will ever be a cure, I want to do as much as I can to help these kids lead normal lives. Like I said earlier, Autism shouldn't define them. They have many more talents behind the diagnosis, and who knows what a little therapy can do for them.
In my experience, the kids I work with have responded well to the things we throw at them. It takes the right person with patience and love to see what lies behind and beneath the Autism. I finally see what others have been trying to tell me all along; I do have this skill and I am ready to continuing serving these kids and to see them through the struggles they face. But it is not by my power alone, but through the Lord that he has given me these gifts, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity he's given me to work with children with Autism. I really don't think I want to be doing anything else as far as a career. I've found something that fits, something that I'm proud to be a part of, and something that I want to continue to have an influence in.
Working with kids with Autism has been at the back of my mind for a few years now. I never thought I'd actually be doing it, but God had other plans. I couldn't be happier with where he's brought me on this career path, and I'm excited to see where I he leads me as well.
