I've been meaning to write this post for quite some time now...
It's been a month since I took, and passed, my national board exam. *phew*
Almost three weeks ago I started my job working in the public school system. So far it has been a dream job. I have an allowance of money that I can spend on therapeutic games and activities to play with my kiddos. I feel even more invested in their success and have so much fun playing with them.
As with any new job, I'm still feeling my way around a bit. To make things a little bit more of a challenge, I am taking over for a woman whom's "contract ended", "moved" and "no longer with us"; yeah, she was terminated. The relationship between therapist and teachers, principles and children have to be rebuilt and the trust re-established. I have to go a little further than I probably normally would have to, to gain the trust and confidence of my new colleagues. Such as, doing more observations, follow-ups, giving out supplies, talking with everyone on each child's team to demonstrate that I will hold up my end of the bargain.
I look forward to next school year when I can start fresh with my caseload, write goals that I think are more beneficial to the child, and watch them succeed in obtaining their goals.
Another aspect that I really enjoy is being autonomous at work. I don't have anyone breathing down my neck. I'm responsible for my kids, and it's up to me to make sure that they get seen. Turns out I really like having the control and freedom to treat how and when I want.
Yesterday I was talking to a couple other OTs that are using a more sensory-motor approach to treating academic goals. That means playing more with them to get them to motor-plan (think about how they are moving through space). This ends up being more fun for everyone. I get work on the building blocks for success in handwriting for example; they get to play kick-ball, swing, jump, and throw.
I love my job.
Side note: PBS is doing a story on Autism. I've listening to it on NPR about 3:30pm for the past several days. I commented on their website about Occupational Therapist and their role with these children in the school.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/jan-june11/autism4treat_04-21.html#disqus_thread
