62yrs

female

Speaks English

Hi, Thank you for visiting my profile! I have a BA in education and further coursework in early childhood, psychology and a variety of subjects that I found I was interested in. I was a mentor teacher at Good Shepherd Preschool in Irvine for several years until I left to raise my own children. More importantly I have spent the past 3 years working with clients who ranged from high functioning to profoundly developmentally disabled--and found that although it wasn't my "major" it is something I have become passionate about. I worked with four families regularly with special needs, and my primary family had two in the same household. One was 54 and mentally in the 4-5 range, the other had severe CP with seizures, legally blind, developmental delays in every area. I found very quickly that I had a gift for all sorts of therapy (I attended and was actively involved in speech, hippo, aqua, OT and PT, and music therapies) and it was recommended by several therapists that I should pursue a career in therapy. So I am back at school and will be pursuing a masters in occupational therapy. I am infinitely patient and interested in learning all aspects of various therapies. I have not had experience in ABA or sign language, but I am interested in learning both. I am creative in the approaches I use to engage my clients, taking into account developmental levels and use of all senses. My philosophy has been to teach to potential, one never knows what talents are hidden, and to take great joy in the small victories. I was recently reduced to tears when the 7-year-old I worked with rolled over and sat up on her own for the first time--it took daily work for 18 months, but she got it and I was as proud of her as I was of my own when they graduated college.