"Watch carefully the magic that occurs when you give a person just enough comfort to be themselves"
Atticus
Autism in our Family
My brother-and-sister-in-law have 2 autistic children,
so as a family we have decades of exposure to the challenges that autism brings.
so as a family we have decades of exposure to the challenges that autism brings.
In 35 years we have witnessed the many stages and changes that have seen their kids from childhood into adulthood,
and the many changes in diagnosis and educational provisons.
and the many changes in diagnosis and educational provisons.
Our nephew is non-verbal, and struggles with OCD.
Our neice is Asperger with learning difficulties.
Our neice is Asperger with learning difficulties.
Behavioural Interventionist
During my time with the 4 generation family I have had on-the-job training to become a BI.
I am registered with the Autism Funding Unit,
and can confidently negotiate my way through the Ministry corridors.
and can confidently negotiate my way through the Ministry corridors.
I have been under the tutelage of a most excellent Behavioural Consultant, who has been an exemplary teacher to me.
I have no doubt that the reason I have been able to accelerate through many stages of learning is thanks to her guidance.
I have no doubt that the reason I have been able to accelerate through many stages of learning is thanks to her guidance.
Because of the intimacy of our Covid bubble, our immediate and constant connection with each other, the mother has also been a most invaluable teacher, giving me deep insight into understanding
her child's condition & triggers,
and solutions & remedies.
her child's condition & triggers,
and solutions & remedies.
Special Education Assistant
As well as the hours we spend in BI work, I also spend part of our learning time as the SEA.
All of the 3 children are being home-schooled, and we are using the Self Design program.
More corridors safely navigated...
and I feel confident that having this experience has prepared me to easily work within any home-school or tutoring platform.
More corridors safely navigated...
and I feel confident that having this experience has prepared me to easily work within any home-school or tutoring platform.
As with the BI work, the Learning Consultant has been an invaluable guide to taking on this role, as has the mother, who has taught me everything she knows from working with her older children.
Our task has been to meet this child's kindergarten curriculum.
My Privilege
Working with this 5 year old has been an extraordinary experience.
And it's been a supersonic learning curve in G-force conditions.
And it's been a supersonic learning curve in G-force conditions.
Over and above the ASD & ADHD,
this child is so bright, and so loving, and has a truly wicked sense of humour.
this child is so bright, and so loving, and has a truly wicked sense of humour.
He is a learner, and it is a genuine joy to work with him
and to watch him so rapidly progress.
and to watch him so rapidly progress.
In the beginning, learning to recognise and anticipate his triggers,
learning to separate what was ASD and what was ADHD,
learning to apply the deflections that could stem or de-escalate any dysregulation...
well, let's just say it was one heck of a crash course.
learning to separate what was ASD and what was ADHD,
learning to apply the deflections that could stem or de-escalate any dysregulation...
well, let's just say it was one heck of a crash course.
Every person with ASD is
completely unique.
I am confident that the skills I have learned with this child have been excellent preparation for working with any special needs children, and I shall always remember him with love and gratitude for all he has taught me.
completely unique.
I am confident that the skills I have learned with this child have been excellent preparation for working with any special needs children, and I shall always remember him with love and gratitude for all he has taught me.
Having this opportunity to home-school a special needs child, in a strictly held Covid-bubble, has given us both a chance to accelerate in ways that would not have seen such rapid achievement in 'normal' times.
Not only have I escalated through learning how to become a Behavioural Interventionist and a Special Education Assistant,
but this child has blossomed in his academic, social, behavioural, and emotional skills.
Even when the ADHD is full-on, he has become a child who rarely dysregulates to the point of being unable to work.
but this child has blossomed in his academic, social, behavioural, and emotional skills.
Even when the ADHD is full-on, he has become a child who rarely dysregulates to the point of being unable to work.
Lucky, lucky me that Covid landed me into this amazing experience.
I shall ever be grateful for all this child has brought to me.
I shall ever be grateful for all this child has brought to me.
And...
for all that his mother has taught me.
Forever grateful.
for all that his mother has taught me.
Forever grateful.
