My new job!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
Walnut Creek, California
September 30, 2020 1:16pm CST
I got a call from a friend and former co-teacher yesterday. She is from a North African country, and her first language is French.
She has a special needs son, and has set up a small preschool, specializing in children "who learn differently" (pc-speak for kids with developmental delays, severe ADHD, autism, etc.). She want to move into a larger space and include multilingualism (French, English and Spanish) in her curriculum.
Anyway, she has asked me to come in few hours a week to work with a new student, a 4-year-old pre-verbal autistic girl. It will be a challenge for me, but I think it will be a learning experience as well. I "specialize" in "normal" kids with behavioral issues.
So it's not a full tie job, but it's a step in the right direction. The child pictured is not the one I'll be working with. She was a "normal" and delightful girl at the Synagogue preschool who was proud of herself for having "stolen" my hat.
27 people like this
28 responses
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
30 Sep 20
What does the job actually entail? Like what do you do?
4 people like this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Sep 20
I will "shadow" the child, figure out her strengths/interests and areas in need of work, and then work/play with her in what Vygotsky calls her "zone of proximal development." That fancy term refers to working with her interests, and her level of development, and challenging her very subtly to move forward developmentally. Of course, given that she's pre-verbal, I will also model language use.
3 people like this
@lovebuglena (52143)
• Staten Island, New York
30 Sep 20
@TheHorse Vygotsky sounds very familiar. Is he a child psychologist?
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 Sep 20
https://www.gocomics.com/betty/2020/09/23?ct=v&cti=996142
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 Sep 20
People with one leg shorter than the other "lean differently" too...
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Oct 20
@BarBaraPrz LOL! Yes! Yes! Have you seen this video? SNL's Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks looking and acting like me, the affable redneck. It ALWAYS make me laugh, even if I watch it every day.
Contestants Keeley (Sasheer Zamata), Shanice (Leslie Jones) and Doug (Tom Hanks) compete on Black Jeopardy, hosted by Darnell Hayes (Kenan Thompson). Subscri...
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
30 Sep 20
I recognized your hat, right away, lol she's adorable:) I worked with SMI students and little bit, children with ADHD. No, I don't have a degree in this area. Instead, I love children above all else and enjoyed this experience, simply as a teacher's assistant. It was hard work, knowing what to do and what NOT to do, around these special needs kids.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Sep 20
She's a child I worked with a couple of years ago. She was adorable. She didn't have any developmental delays, though. I look forward to meeting the autistic child. It will be a challenge, but I hope to learn from the experience.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Oct 20
@kobesbuddy Yep, if my little autistic girl turns out to be "music savant" I'm going to be one happy camper!
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (78833)
• East Tawas, Michigan
30 Sep 20
@TheHorse I thought working with only one child would be an ideal job. My neighbor Tina did this at the elementary school and said it was the hardest job she ever had. They've discovered that many of these children are gifted in music or mental abilities of a genius!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Sep 20
Thanks! Autistic kids are not my "specialty," but I've worked successfully with a few. After a few meetings, I'll probably bring one of my guitars. Some autistic kids respond to music. Have you seen the old 60 Minutes piece on "Derek"? It's pretty inspiring.
1 person likes this
@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
1 Oct 20
I am putting my money on you doing great at the position. You are a creative artist, so you will find an educational way to fulfill your goal as a teacher. Just be patience kids aren't that easy to handle.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Oct 20
I've been teaching littlies (and college students) for 40 years, so I'm confident in my overall teaching ability. But autistic kids are a challenge for me, as it can be difficult to form relationships with them. I look forward to this challenge!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Oct 20
@jvicentevalera I am confident I will be able to do SOMETHING positive for this child. I am an "old fart" and have been working with both college students and young children for many years.
1 person likes this
@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
1 Oct 20
@TheHorse I had no idea you have been a teacher! Come on this is an easy cake for you! You got this horse rider!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169406)
• United States
1 Oct 20
These are the types of children I work with, very fulfilling. May I suggest that one of your languages be sign language? I do SEE sign--because it is the type of sign language suited to students who talk or who will eventually talk. It is very effective for kids when they cannot think of what to "say" but they can sign it. Our speech teachers currently promote various augmentative and adaptive speech devices, but I prefer sign language because your hands do not have to go on a charger and it is not an extra piece of equipment you need to carry.
1 person likes this
! I actually think this is right up your alley . . . you certainly seem to have the patience and knowledge of working with kids/behaviors period.
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
30 Sep 20
You will be a magnificent teacher. You are perfect for this. Keep us posted.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Oct 20
@1creekgirl Bring it on! (puffy chest emoji)
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222222)
• United States
1 Oct 20
Congratulations and good luck with your new position! Speaks a lot for your experience and talents. Cute picture.
1 person likes this
@Spontaneo (14699)
• United States
30 Sep 20
She is an adorable girl! You have made friends already!
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Sep 20
@Spontaneo You didn't make it to my last paragraph. My writing must be getting less captivating. 
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
1 Oct 20
A good job. I'm sure you will help her
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
30 Sep 20
I'm still on the faculty at the College, but I'm giving myself a sabbadical to write this blasted (actually I'm enjoying writing it) book. They're doing distance teaching now, which doesn't really interest me anyway. The other preschool is still on "limited staff," and kids of "essential workers" only.
2 people like this
