If you haven't noticed I've been trying to do this every Thursday. I'm trying to keep a routine so I don't forget to do it and leave weeks between posts. Everyone one needs a little regularity in their lives.
So lets see....what have I been up to this week...hmm...
My Monday was filled with meetings. First thing in the morning, I had a staff meeting. That was ok. It feels good to be a part of the staff in that way. It was, however, quite long...or maybe it just felt that way. After that I had a Community Partners Meeting at the School District Admin Building.
That was really good for me. It gave me a chance to meet with some of the schools who are looking for afterschool programs. I just happen to be looking for schools to hold my afterschool program. The purpose of VISTA is not to do direct service, but rather create sustainability for the future. So my goal is not to start an afterschool program and run it myself. It is, however, to start an afterschool program and recruit volunteers to run the program. I'm just supposed to be the contact person. After talking to my supervisors we've come up with the idea of approaching the local college and offering this as a service learning project. Many students are in need of a good service learning opportunity, and what could be better than running a science program for fourth and fifth graders as well as possibly some middle schoolers! I also came up with some more topics, but I'm gonna have to mull those over some more. (Did I just use the word "gonna" in a blog sentence? I don't know whether to be ashamed, or to shrug it off and say Welcome to the modern age of technology and SMS lingo, Sharon.)
After this meeting I went back to work for awhile, then went to coffee with a friend, much needed coffee of course, and then had a YAC (Youth Action Council) meeting. In my brilliance I got the time wrong and missed most of it. Oops...I think I'll have to be more on the ball next time about that. It wasn't all for nought of course. We did get some planning done for our Trick-or-Treating event. One thing that YAC is trying to do every year is go around, during the Trick-Or-Treating times, and instead of asking for candy we will be asking for non-perishable food donations to be given to one of the food pantries that serves some of the smaller towns in Marathon County. My role in this is more of an organizational piece. I will be going out with the youth, but as a supervisor. They will be doing the majority of the collecting.
Tuesday was pretty uneventful, mostly I just worked on looking at project ideas and little things.
Wednesday was more exciting. I went down to Stevens Point for the UW-Extension Central District Meeting. One of our first orders of business was introducing everyone who was there. We did this by county. When we got to our county I was introduced as the staff member who started in 4-H at a young age, was part of the teen group in 4-H, stayed active in 4-H, and worked in the 4-H office in the summers, and is still in the 4-H office. I'm also the only one who has a plan for the Zombie Apocalypse. (I'm prepared. I always have hot wax within reach, and have food stored in the cabinet above my desk.) After the business and budget portion of the meeting we broke out into smaller groups by department. So the Ag Educators went to one room, the CRD people when to another, and so on. The 4-H/FLP/WNEP went to one of two sessions. I chose the one on Autism.
I learned alot in this session. I've never known too much about it, but this two hour session helped me understand it alot more. I learned that:
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Pervasive Developmental Disorder Autistic Disorder Asperger's Syndrome
The Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD NOS) is when there are some symptoms showing but not all. This is the least severe off the three.
When all the symptoms present themselves, it can be diagnosed as Autistic Disorder. Even this in itself can mean many different things. No child with Autism is the same. The presenter, Jackie Carattini, said that when you say you know one child with Autism, you know one child with Autism. There are different levels, and abilities in these children. Each as unique as the next.
The final one is Asperger's Syndrome. People who are diagnosed with Asperger's tend to be higher functioning, with a higher IQ, high memorization skills, and high splinter skills.
The cause for Autism is unknown, but evidence seems to suggest it could be environmental.
There is no known cure. There is no medication for Autism. A child can take medication for other symptoms associated with it, but there is nothing that can help the Autism itself. Its been suggested that a completely gluten free/casein free diet can help. Twenty three percent of families with an Autistic family member have tried this, and those that have tried it saw a ninety percent improvement. Jenny McCarthy claims to have cured her son of Autism. She put him on this diet, and has seen improvement in him, but he is by no means cured.
The main purpose of this session was to inform and to give tips. These were tips for making things run smoothly when there is an autistic child in a classroom, afterschool program, summer club, or day camp. Some of these included:
- Taking sensory breaks. Studies show that children need joint impact in their daily lives. This is the theory behind recess at schools. Autistic children shouldn't go more than half an hour without a break of some sorts.
- Making sure kids are aware of whats going on. Make sure Autistic children are aware of what is happening so they are not throw off by the change in a schedule. Autistic children like to have things planned and scheduled so they can prepare for what is going to happen.
- Have an agenda. This will prevent the need to ask questions like "What are we doing next? When are we moving on? How long until you are done with this?"
- Provide Visual Organizers. Have a calendar posted in the classroom so they will know in advance.
- Labels. Autistic children often have a need to know what is behind every door and in every cupboard. If things are clearly labeled ahead of time, this satisfies their need to know.
- Clarify the Unknown. In order to prevent any interruptions, it is best to clarify anything that is an unknown, so they don't have to disrupt things by asking about them.
This is what I learned. I will find this extremely useful in my future, and I am very grateful I had the opportunity to attend.
So far today, I've typed up some stuff. Sent a few emails, and got my new shirt and shorts in the mail.
I'm excited.
Until then!
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