My first day of WORK!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (238268)
Walnut Creek, California
October 5, 2020 2:25pm CST
I'm finally back under saddle!
I got to meet my new client today. She is a cute 4-year-old African American girl whose diagnosis is autism. She is "pre-verbal" but did try to express herself with vocalizations today.
Her little sister is also a new student at my friend's preschool. She is only 25 months old but is VERY verbal.
My friend's son, who is about ten and has developmental delays, was also there. We spent most of the morning in the park. I chatted with my friend, but spent most of my time pushing my new client on the swing while singing to her (she liked that), building woodchip mountains with her little sister, and playing football catch with my friend's son.
I'll provide updates as I get to know the new kids better. My friend's son and I are "old buddies," and he didn't want me to go home. The girls and I got along well, and my hunch is that they'll remember me when I come in tomorrow.
Wish me luck!
22 people like this
24 responses
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Oct 20
It's gonna be fun. I bet the little one demands I catch her jumping off of the play structure again, and that "my buddy" demands more football (tiny multi-colored football) catch. I hope the 4-year-old remembers that I pushed her on the swing, and that she was interested in my water bottle. Perhaps I'll bring a Gatorade bottle filled with water "just for her." I will sing the same songs tomorrow that I sang today.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91013)
• United States
5 Oct 20
I'm sure you're happy to be back to work. I get the feeling that you love your job and working doesn't feel like work??
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91013)
• United States
6 Oct 20
@TheHorse you're lucky that you haven't experienced the type of job that makes you hate to go to work. Guess you made the right decision when choosing your career 
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Oct 20
@Marilynda1225 Maybe I was just lucky. I was a physics and math major when I entered college, and still love both of those disciplines. But I found I could only talk to a limited number of people about what I was studying, and that frustrated me. I'm still a "nerd," but at least I'm a nerd who can carry on a conversation.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Oct 20
Thank you! I think it's going to be fun. But I also hope I can help the 4-year-old make "documentable" achievements in language development. I'll keep singing with her and see if her attention span renders her able to "read" books with me. I'll spend the first couple of weeks learning what she enjoys, and build upon that.
1 person likes this
@Michellekidwell (29953)
• Sonora, California
5 Oct 20
You’ll do awesome, those kids are blessed to have you and you are blessed to be able to help them...
1 person likes this
@Michellekidwell (29953)
• Sonora, California
6 Oct 20
@TheHorse Yes working with Children is a special calling....
@snowy22315 (208746)
• United States
6 Oct 20
It sounds like you have some fun chilldren to play with.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
6 Oct 20
Well done you, sounds like you had a great introduction
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
5 Oct 20
Those youngins are blessed to have you!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222288)
• United States
6 Oct 20
Wishing you the best of luck. I know you'll do great; and the kids will love you.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (68202)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
5 Oct 20
I've worked with non verbal kiddos. But not ones that are technically "pre" verbal.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (238268)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 Oct 20
I worked with one young friend (at the Jewish preschool) who grunted and pointed for his first three years. But his language comprehension was excellent. We spent a lot time together playing in the sand, making mountains, rivers, bridges, etc. The first time he said my name was a moment I won't forget. I'm going to (informally) assess this little girl's language comprehension as I continue to work with her.
@thislittlepennyearns (68202)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
6 Oct 20
@TheHorse There is a family I follow on Facebook who vlogs their journey. Their son is non verbal but communicate with signs, grunts and has a special device that helps him communicate. So his comprehension is great too.
@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
6 Oct 20
Aw Horse. I know it's work, but I sense it doesn't feel like that when sharing some time with those children who need professional people like you to teach, and take care of them. While reading I could not help feeling emotional, because those children need so much love, and people who care for them. Hope their parents give them so much love!
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
6 Oct 20
congrats'n yer new gig! fun times 'head, know that lil 4yr ol'n her sis 'll be like putty'n yer hands. 'tis great that'cha 'lso 've'n ol' friend. young'uns know when someone genuinely cares 'n those that're kind to 'em.
