Helping out for Turkey Day

Even though I have my issues with church institutions I was more than happy to help out for this turnout and this cause.

Cheese

I was trying to take a picture of my phone and failed to focus on the screen. I like the outcome. An abstract of sorts.

Run. Stop. It's 5 a.m.

The view during my morning run. I just stopped myself and took a picture. Finding solace in the small things.

Underestimating the Emotion

Last session as a behavior specialist did not end as planned. It was supposed to be a quick hour and a half session. Full of drawings, treasure hunt object identifying activities and brushing teeth. Instead, I arrived to a sick client in stomach pain. When his mom canceled the session, tears streamed down his face. It was to be our last session together. I held face while giving him and his siblings a farewell hug but it got to me.

Enter the Future Heartbreaker

Remain Inquisitive and Constantly ask Questions

Link to artwork

Saying Goodbye

I said my Hello's and then my Good Bye's before but this one hit me hard. To see how much progress my kiddo has made since March has been wonderful. He's a high functioning child with autism and has signs of schizophrenia and when we started working together it seemed difficult to imagine progress. He hasn't been diagnosed for the latter but it is a possibility. In my opinion, what helped him progress as much as he has is due in large part to having a role model and attention. At school, he was often isolated from his peers due to his special needs. At home, he was having bad behaviors reinforced with tangibles when instead he needed someone to talk to and to play with. 

Yesterday was my last session with him. I let him know that I had a surprise gift for him at the end of session. I was testing his patience but he managed to wait appropriately and by the end of session I presented with this:

I'm to blame for his adoration of Minecraft but I think it's a healthy obsession. He loved it and I'm happy he did. I wish him and his family well and hope he succeeds in life.