New job!

Before coming back from Guatemala I made sure I had a job to feel a lot more secure. My previous employer, Apple Tree, didn’t have any openings but my ex boss was very grascious and led me to a job in the city where I would be living. 

At Zenith, I was able to meet many families and build new connections as well as get more training in oral motor techniques. After 7 months my ex boss from Apple Tree informed me that there was an opening for the position I previously had. After much prayer I made the decision to go back to where it all started. 

Apple Tree is a small private clinic in the city of Buena Park, Ca (They recently moved there from Cypress, Ca). They service children under three in a group base, mommy and me therapy program and there are different therapists on site. The majority of the children attending this program either have autism, developmental delays, down syndrome, or cerebral palsy (to name a few). I also see children for individual therapy and on Mondays we are offering a special program for children under 12 months old at no cost to the families.

It has been such an amazing experience being back these past two months. Here’s a picture of my room, with the garden and butterflies that the children made. 

I don’t consider myself an expert when it comes to development, but one thing that I have realized is that children learn through play. I try to make the activities fun and look at each child’s differences to better serve them. 

I decided to have stations in the classroom instead of sitting at the table for the full 20 minutes of their session. We start off at the table to sing hello, read a book or sing a song. A coworker gave me a great idea of doing an action corner. Last week it was balls and I had them throw, kick, roll, catch and throw it up towards the ceiling (this was fun!). The other station consists of either sensory play or some sort of cause and affect activity. 

At the end of the day whether or not the children met the specific goal that I was targeting, I feel peace knowing that I gave love that day. I don’t know if that makes sense, but that is what fills me up. I enjoy working with the children and their families and I hope that I am making an impact because their children are making an impact in my life by demonstrating to me a different perspective on life. 

I will admit that I do miss living in Guatemala, but I know that for right now this is where I’m supposed to be. It feels so nice to be surrounded by my family and my new little friends. 

Apple Tree Early Intervention Center

Today was my last day at work. I have been dreading this moment for quite sometime because I have been there for most of my adult life, 10 years, 7 months and 3 days to be exact. This past week I have been hugging the kids a little tighter and being present at every moment. There are so many things that I have learned from the parents as well as the children. I have enjoyed every moment...well, not when I was scratched in the face or slapped by an over stimulated child.

Top left was my classroom/office

For those of you who do not know I have been doing speech therapy for children with special needs. I started as an early interventionist in the cognition classroom. I would conduct group therapy for children under age 3. We would work on object permanence for the younger children, object recognition, problem solving and following directions. Soon after I was hired my boss wanted me to do in-home services. This meant I had to go to the homes of children who did not qualify for group therapy. I did this for almost 10 years. I had such a great time meeting new families and able to see how children performed in their natural environment versus a clinic. As I drive around Orange County I get flashbacks of the different children I serviced in the different neighborhoods.

Four years ago I completed my degree to be able to do speech therapy. This has been the most rewarding experience so far working at Apple Tree. I was moved to the speech room and never looked back. I have been given the opportunity to also see children over age 3 thanks to one of the parents who wanted to continue her services with Apple Tree after her son turned 3. Apple tree became a vendor through health insurances (Thank you Carola).

I would like to share a story of a child who has touched my heart and has been the perfect example that early intervention is key. Per parent approval I am able to share about her.

Our last day together

Sofia came to us when she was was about 18 months. There was a possible diagnosis of autism which later it was confirmed. Sofia started with Occupational therapy and I could hear her screaming for all of the session. Within a few weeks we received approval for Sofia to also receive speech therapy. Her screams did not stop after occupational therapy. She would scream and cry for 2 hours. One day I took out the barn and its animals. She became interested in a bobble head dog. Through her tears she would attempt to say "puppy".

Sofia is now 3 and has made incredible progress. Her parents have been such a great support in a all of her therapy needs and would hardly miss any appointments. I know that Sofia will continue to progress especially now that she will be starting preschool in a few days. I am looking forward to seeing her reach her fullest potential.

She will be deeply missed as well as the other children whom I have worked with. They will all have a special place in my heart. I have learned a lot about perseverance, love, compassion and resilience from the children and their families.

It's now time to move on and be ready for the journey before me in Guatemala.

Moving on soon

I'm less than 2 months away from moving and I will say that the excitement is increasing by the day. I have so much on my mind and on my to-do list, but I have just been trying to enjoy every moment.

I would like to share with you a little something that happened today at work. We have been desperately looking for someone to replace me. We are looking for someone who speaks Spanish, has experience and loves kids. We had someone interviewed today and I felt...weird. This is real. I have been working for Apple Tree for over 10 years. This is all I know and I have learned so much from my co-workers and the children here have taught me so much about life and love. Today we had a new child attend our program and he had a difficult time. It was so amazing to see the other parents encourage the mom as she began to get overwhelmed. I'm going to miss being at work and playing with the kids. Today one of the boys verbally said "more". He has been signing it and he finally attempted to say it. I got a little teary eyed. The mom was so excited to hear her son say a word. The kids here are so exceptional as well as the parents. They are fighters and I honestly cannot imagine what they are going through, but their victories are so vibrant.

When the children turn 3 they graduate our program and the school district takes over (this does not apply to our clients whom we see individually through health insurance). It's sad when they leave, but I know that they will continue to blossom in their development. 

 

Apple Tree has moved.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and there's so much to be thankful for.

We are in the middle of moving where I work (for more info of Apple Tree click here). This is such an answered prayer because we were in desperate need of a space that we can call home. You see, we were sharing space with other people and it was torture trying to move everything at the end of the workweek, then have to set everything up Tuesday mornings. For the past year I have not had to help out since we hired someone to help. We are hoping to be able to open Mondays which means that children will be able to receive additional hours of therapy. I will also be able to treat more children for individual speech therapy. My boss has been working since last week getting the place ready and we started this week moving things into our rooms and organizing. I will say that moving is not the funnest part of my week. However, I was given toys and book as a donation to the village that we will be going to this upcoming Saturday (Click here for more info to the Tecate trips).  My room is coming out very nice. I ended up with the theme of forest/wilderness/backyard. I have giant leaves on each corner of the room and I think my boss has this big tree decal for my wall. We shall see how long that will last.  

The new Apple Tree 

I will be honest, not a lot of money has been made this season for jewelry sales. I was feeling super bummed because I have had to invest money to be part of the events and sometimes I don't even make back what I have invested. I was feeling super sorry for myself that I wanted to cry (I'm a big cry baby), but I can hear His voice, telling me that it's not what I will do, it's what He will do. All of this is for Him. I am thankful for that voice because it brings me back to the things that are truly important (jewelry posts: Here. Here, Here).

Exeptional Children

I know that all you see is jewelry and more jewelry on this blog, but that's not all I do. I spend most of my day in a center working with children with autism and other disabilities. I have been at the same company for almost 10 years! On January 5th I will have my anniversary. The company I work for is called Apple Tree Early Intervention Center. What do I do there? Well, I have had the opportunity to do many things for this facility. I started off as an Early Interventionist. I had a few positions which included in-home infant teacher and worked in a play-based group where I focused on cognitive skills. Later, I went back to school and obtained my license as a speech pathologist assistant. I now conduct a play-based speech group therapy as well as individual therapy. In the mornings I see children under age 3 and in the afternoons I see children over age 3. It has been such a blessing being able to work here. I have learned so much about myself as well as the love of God. I could be having a tough day and a simple smile from a little girl with Down Syndrome can turn my day around. I have witnessed parents go through the tough process of finding a diagnosis for their child, their child go through surgery as well as children fight for their life as they are critically ill.  I have learned about persistence, resilience and most importantly, unconditional love without boundaries.

Tonight I went to a small workshop for future marriage and family therapists. The guest speaker was Jeff Lund, a parent of two children with Autism. He is working towards being a psychologist and he did an amazing job presenting his story and mission. One thing that I was impacted by was when he said, "Isolation leads to depression." He was referring to parents who isolate themselves because of fear. Fear of their child having a meltdown at the park, store or restaurant. We live in a world where people prejudge others because of what they see. He stated that many of his "friends" stopped coming around and stopped calling. I will be honest, I started to get a little emotional thinking of the parents I work with. I see this! I kept thinking, "What can I do?" After the workshop my coworkers and I went up to him and talked to him about our program. My coworker invited him to talk to the parents. He seemed interested. I hope that he will. I know that he can really encourage the parents.  Here are some pictures of my classroom and the facility.