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| Weather's is a great example of change in everyday life | ( | Source) |
Do you ever have a moment where you realize something that you already knew? I've been reminded of that so far this summer through my work with the REACH program.
So far this summer, we have had 3 weeks of Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday sessions and 8 children to the 3 teachers that are working, along with myself (making it 1 teacher to 2 students...not too shabby). This past week has been a break, partially due to today's 4th of July holiday, and I did not expect that it would be as appreciated as I have appreciated it.
As a teacher, summers are short, lists of projects to do that are work and home life related are long and as soon as you get started, it seems the beginning of August is upon us and it's time to return back while the weather is hitting optimal pool temperature.
I say this all not to complain, but to simply comment on how quickly time is passing & things are continually evolving, I am really seeing through working the REACH program. As I said, we have sessions thru the middle of the week, leaving Mondays and Fridays off (which is so nice), but there is one slight drawback I am noticing- having three days on and 5 days in a row off, it is proving that change is hard.
After that time off from a more structured (but flexible) schedule at REACH, the kids have difficulty getting adjusted on Tuesday sometimes. Add to that changes that might be going on at home with siblings & parents doing different things during the summer (such as camps for the siblings), vacations & changes in the family- we've got 2 kiddos with new siblings that have been born in the past few weeks!
As the title to my post suggests, I already knew that change is hard for folks, particularly younger folks who also happen to be on the autism spectrum. If nothing else, that will be my number one thing that I take away from camp- the very real concept (and possible dilemma) of change.
I know that this post doesn't have an answer to how to help change or anything of that nature- I'll let you know when I get the complete answers & guide to working with individuals who need guidance on that subject.
Until then, I'm already wondering how all of our friends are going to react next week when we return back on Tuesday & I'm also already excited to see what all I can learn in the last few weeks of the program & take into the classroom with me when school starts back up in August!
If you've got any tricks of the trade for bigger changes (more than simple "we're going on to the next task in 3 minutes" changes/transitions), feel free to throw out any advice! I'd love to get a dialouge going.
Happy 4th of July!
