Hi Everyone

They say to make a blog “successful” you need to have passion for what you write about.

Well, I'm not too considered with the success of my blog – in fact, if this blog can bring a smile or a moment of reassurance to one person I would be content.

I started this blog not to become interweb famous but because I saw a huge gap in resources for the therapists I work closely with on a day to day basis.

Sure there are spectrum blogs for parents and care providers and even some for teachers but we (the underdogs) are left out. We often are forgot about throughout the articles, videos and news reports – though the families we work with often consider us their personal saviours.

Our job is not an easy one – the behaviours alone can cause some to leave the field. I have been bitten, kicked, punched and spit on as well as cleaned up every bodily fluid imaginable. All the while trying to teach social skills, school readiness, life skills and self help skills. The job can be mundane yes- going over the same letter, number, shape or action what feels like thousands of times in a few hours is mentally exhausting and at times its tough to be creative or find a new way to teach said skills. The long hours of prep time and the cost of materials weighs on us as our kids need constant changes in materials and reinforcers to keep life and learning interesting and the motivation to continue strong.

However, through all the struggles of the weekly grind we find solace in each other and in the families and children we help. Watching from the front lines as a six year old child says “mama” after months and sometimes years of practice or as a sixteen year old young adult is able to go to a store and purchase a new shirt independently is beyond words for most of us. The hint of a smile in a client can instantly erase the prior moments tantrum or undesirable behaviour and remind us to find joy in the smallest moments. The families we work with – the moms, dads, grandparents and siblings- unite us as one and leave us in awe most days. These are the true unsung hereos of our field – yet they are constantly reminding us how much we mean to them and to the family. A moment of understanding from another therapist can help you carry on through the week. The times of brainstorming and idea sharing can reignite your ability to create. The shared coffees (the third or fourth of the day) and stories of pride for your client leaves you feeling as if we are all fighting this fight together and we all understand each others battle.

I am writing this blog for us. All of us. The teachers, the families and of course the children – but mainly for the therapists. This is a place to share ideas, stories and motivation. If passion is a way to succeed when writing then theoretically this blog will burn a trail through ASD blog sites everywhere.

Let me close this by saying I am not a doctor or a psychologist. I have no PhD, Masters degree or BCBA certification. I am an instructor therapist. I have been one for six years. This is where I belong and this is where I will stay. I won't be offering any medical or clinical advice and am not entitled to give any sort of diagnosis. 

I must remind all of you to please practice confidentiality for all clients and families you work for. As I will too be following this I have chosen to only use first initials to name clients (if necessary) and will not disclose my name or specific location.

Thank you all for reading,

P (for passion)