I like caring for people with special needs because I believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I love getting to know the individuals I care for and responding to their specific wants, needs, and communication styles. Disruptive or aggressive behaviors do not distress me and I have a lot of practice staying calm and safe while helping distracted individuals re-regulate. I'm excited to work with individuals of all ages and abilities. We can work on activities of daily living, community integration, communication, leisure, and whatever other goals are being pursued. I started caring for people with special needs when I became a paraprofessional in an Autism support classroom. I spent two years as a paraprofessional, one year as a teacher in the same program, and have since transitioned to an administrative and service coordination role supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.