Journal 5

Today I met a teacher named Mr. Trey, I think he was substituting for Ms. Michelle since she was not there last friday. He works as the afternoon teacher for the kids who usually stay past 12 because their parents can't make it due to work or whatever. He was really nice. We took the kids out to play in the back where there is a play ground and I spent some time chasing after them playing tag. They're too little to understand the concept though, because after a minute every one was tagging everyone. It was hilarious. After that I was pushing a little girl named Anabelle down the slide, when all of a sudden I look up to see a line of kids at the top of the slide waiting for their turn. I couldn't help but to smile. Mr. Trey sang the "lunch time song" and gathered all the kids so we could go inside and help the kids open their lunch boxes and heat up their food. Cade insisted on me sitting with him, so I did. and Gustavo sang the entire time, that was funny. It gets sort of chaotic during lunch time, but after that the kids all take a nap and that's when I tend to leave. I plan on continuing my volunteering at Westview. I'm glad this program in Biology helped me connect with Westview. All of these kids are really starting to gain a special place in my heart.

Journal 4

I officially will be working with Ms. Michelle now, who is a younger teacher at Westview and is straight out of college. We got to talk a little bit about each other to better get to know one another while the kids were at recess. A few minutes before we had to go back inside for lunch time I played with some of the kids. There's a little boy about three years old who is apparently obsessed with spherical shapes. I asked Ms. Michelle about this obsession and she said things like this were normal for kids with autism. They "stem" or obsess over specific objects whether it be a ball, a shade of light, or even the movement of a fan in the classroom. My group of kids are very easily distracted. It can be pretty hard to make them pay attention to lessons, because two out five usually can't seem to sit still in there chair. But Ms. Michelle is teaching me how to be more authoritative (still remaining nice of course) in order to make them listen. I learned that kids with autism usually require more pressure (holding them) as you're trying to tell them something. So most of the time they need you to grab their arms and tell them for instance "Cade, sitting, please" They don't usually grasp on to full sentences yet such as "Cade please sit down and eat your food" I'm learning more and more every day! and I feel as though I'm gaining some attachment to some of the kids in my group. I find myself looking forward to Fridays even more so now. They were put some light in my world. The faculty and staff here are awesome as well.