TheBanyanTree: A big Yes

[Sachet]

Although there are so many Yeses to be thrilled about as summer gives us 
that last burst of stifling heat, the one that is foremost in my mind at 
the moment is my new job. There was the somewhat frustrating irony of 
being officially offered the position on the very day I met with my 
surgeon. That night I sent an email to the director of the center 
{http://www.abcofnc.org/index.html} explaining that my doctor told me 
the soonest I (hopefully) could be ready to begin training would be the 
first of August. I was amazed and happily surprised when she emailed me 
back reassuring me that they would wait and that I could set my own 
hours for training whenever I felt up to it.

I managed to push the August time line to a week earlier. (with my Dr.'s 
permission!) I cannot imagine loving a new job anymore than I do this 
one! Oh, it's been a tad (understatement! <g>) overwhelming learning the 
terminology, the teaching methodology of ABA (Applied Behavior 
Analysis), the names of all the kids and all the tutors, the layout of 
the building, where all the supplies are kept and a multitude of other 
normal new-job related things. But, I love it.

I sought and accepted this position for a couple of reasons. I began job 
hunting in a lackadaisical manner last winter because I knew that this 
year was going to be a challenge for me as Chelsea moves onto campus for 
her Sophomore year and with Zach having completed his last year of 
homeschooling. With him taking all Dual Enrollment classes at a local 
college for his Senior year of high school, my "job" is done. Sure, 
he'll still need my encouragement and support as he enters this new 
phase of his life, but for the most part, I am on the sidelines. As I 
should be. But.
I knew that although one part of me would be celebrating their 
accomplishments and their bigger steps into independent adulthood, 
another part of me was going to be silently battling the various stages 
of the empty nest syndrome, tooth and nail.  I dinna want that.

I also didn't want to jump head first into a full-time job. Part of that 
stems from insecurities of re-entering the "official" workforce after so 
many years and partly it's because I know how OCD I can be. I've finally 
learned how to slow down and not rush through life. I didn't want to 
lose that gift.

So. That's why this job, as a part-time tutor seemed like such a good 
idea. It's so very compelling and engaging, which doesn't leave me a lot 
of time to dwell on the changes life has been, and is going to be, 
doling out with such random and/or joyful abandon.

The children captured my heart from the get-go and the teaching method 
is utterly fascinating to me. During training last week I was able to 
see early video's of one of the children. I'll call him Joey. Joey came 
to the center diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and had at 
least some language skills. At age four, he could say three words. And 
his parents were thrilled that he could say those three words, since 
many children with autism have no language skills. But, they'd been 
informed that early ABA intervention could expand his abilities to 
embrace life. This is the part that is so magical to me! After 8 months 
at the center it is very difficult to even tell that Joey has autism. He 
chatters away like any typical little boy. He's also progressing 
extremely well in learning peer play and soon will be able to begin 
school with a "school shadow". (A tutor who is present as support and 
provides guidance, but fades back as time progresses, ideally allowing 
the child to be totally independent.)

There are so many stories being recorded at the center. Each child is 
evaluated by one of the centers consultants and a specific ABA program 
is designed to meet their needs. Goals are set and broken down into 
minute multiple steps, as needed, according to each child's abilities. 
Every child is then assigned a tutor for one-on-one teaching during each 
two hour session, with three sessions per day with varying tutors. 
(Although some students come part-time.) Yes, some of the students and 
their parents will live with life-long limitations. But there hasn't 
been one child at the center who hasn't learned to communicate using 
either PECS (Picture Exchange Communication Systems), language, or other 
combinations. That's why the atmosphere at the center is jubilant at 
best and happy at the very least. It's all about the kids, their 
families, and how the children can reach their own potential of 
independence, whatever that might be.

Part of me is on overload and personal doubts naturally spring up. But, 
for the most part I am totally psyched and looking forward to what's 
ahead in this new job.

I never even saw this possibility coming as a speck on my horizon.

Life is just so very intriguing.

...S~