But I love speech....

Behavior situation is a nice way of putting it! I am assigned to two schools. One school, who are all children who are either in kindergarten or pre-k, are your typical artic/lang. kids. The other school, however, I see all kids who are in self contained classrooms. Monday, I went to the school with the self contained kids and was to the part of my day where I see the "behavior unit" kids (most are high level autistic). Might I add that I have never had an issue with these boys, they have always been good with me. One of the students was having issues that day. When he came to speech, he refused to do anything. I heard phrases like "make mupe" and "what are you gonna do about it?" I proceeded to take away one of his sticks (each child has 5 tongue depressors with their name on them. If they do not have all of their sticks at the end of session, they do not get a sticker that helps them get to the treasure chest later). I put it in my pocket and the next thing I knew, he was coming around the desk after me to get his stick. He said, "give me my stick back!" This child is large enough where he could actually do damage. I redirected him back to the other side of his desk and threatened to take another away and take away an incentive in his classroom. He was still a terror! It was the end of session and one student was able to go to the treasure chest. He took a finger trap thing out of the box and I quickly got it back. Next time I turned around, he did it again and then it broke in half. I was angry and he knew it. I turned around and ignored him. Do not ever do this!!! I turned back around and he was turning over desks....heavy ones. My brand new materials were flying everywhere. He broke my Token Towers from Super Duper. I was furious. I had to get my 2 studens..who have major issues themselves to go down the hall and get their teacher. Thank God they did what they were told. While waiting, I told him to do things like "stop!" to which he replied...."Make Me!" After the principal was called, pictures were taken(which made him furious) he finally calmed down and started cleaning up the mess. He asked the principal if he was expelled and she said not this time but next time this happens I will have to expell you. He then asked if he could come back to speech and the reply was the same...if you do this again you will loose your privilage to come to speech. His reply was "But I love speech." That moment is what keeps me going. It's moments like those that keep me going back every day.

"GET ME OUT OF HERE"

If you're anything like me, you get tired of doing therapy inside a room all day! I really get tired of it! So, one day I decided to take two of my kids outside. I thought they would love it. We were walking around playing games and talking and then all of a sudden I could tell that one of the little boys was getting extremely nervous. I looked around, saw nothing, and kept on going. Luckily we were right by a door when everything else started happening. I see the boy backing up against the doors and I asked, "What's wrong?" His reply was, "A b-b-butterfly!" I looked around and saw one on the ground, which by the way was no where close to us! I was a little confused because I think butterflies are so pretty and I responded by saying, "Oh yeah, a butterfly, isn't it pretty?" Then the butterfly decided to fly. It was coming towards us and the little boy started screaming, "Get me out of here." Since we were by the door everything the boy was screaming was echoing. It wasn't just screaming. I mean this boy was terrified. It was the loudest thing I have ever heard! I started panicing and ran over to him, took his hand, and started to ring the bell to let us back in the building (it's so crazy how schools have to be locked down these days). It takes forever for the lady to let us in and then to top it off the door always gets stuck. So, I'm pulling on the door as hard as I can to get it open while this child is screaming for his life. I felt so bad for him. He was so scared. I'll think twice now before I ever think about taking a kid outside!

I'd love to hear some other funny stories anyone has to share! I know you have them... especially you Jessica!!! Thanks Kay for letting us know about the personal user account! As you can see at the bottom of my post it says "the sessions"... it's by where you can comment if you can't find it! Hope everyone is doing well! I miss everyone!

Yes, I Live with a Computer Geek

I thought I'd pass along some knowledge that I gained from my husband related to our blog. Typically, I tend to smile and nod when my husband gives me a computer suggestion, but here's a tidbit of information that is actually useful! (I love you, Chris)

Steps to Setup A Personal User Account on the Blog:

1) Sign in with the information that Kristin provided us in an email.
2) Click on Settings
3) Click on the Permissions tab
4) Click on Add Authors
5) Type in your personal email address
6) Click Invite

If you follow these steps, you will be able to sign into our blog with your personal email address. When you post to the blog or make a comment, it will automatically put your name at the end of your message rather than putting the standard 'acuslps.' Try it out!

I still haven't seen any kids. I start with them on Monday! I have been going to training for a month now and learning all the processes of my school. I have participated in many ARDs and tested a child, but I am so ready to begin therapy! I feel so young and inexperienced. I constantly ask questions of others around me. They all call me sweetie and honey and make me feel like a little kid. I want to be seen as a professional.

I'm glad to hear that you are all doing well and enjoying your jobs.

I've really enjoyed reading the posts about the first days! I've already been working for two weeks and last week was my first week to see kids! Unfortunately, after all my hard work the week before planning and scheduling, my school district decided to cut our week into half days. It's been so hot here that kids are getting sick at school and on the buses, and since the buses aren't air conditioned they've been releasing kids at 11:30. I'd show up to my schools and have no idea where any of my kids were because the schedules were so different. But I'd eventually find a few, pull them aside, and work with them. I'm surprised with how "normal" it feels to be working. Even though I feel lost a lot of the time, I'm getting the hang of it! I'm having to adjust to making sure I see the kids the days and times they need to be seen a week, month, or year. Being able to keep up with that and staying organized is another question. I keep changing my system... I just have to find the perfect one! The paperwork just from the school district alone is crazy and different for each school! And I don't even have to write the IEPs! It's just been so neat to walk through halls and introduce myself as the Speech Therapist to the teachers. I get some funny reactions... mostly they say, "You kids just keep looking younger!" I take it as a complement! I don't know about anyone else but my confidence level has increased just over the past few weeks! I've changed my mindset and actually see myself as a Speech Therapist now instead of a "student." It's fun and I hope everyone else is having fun too!!! Take care!! Love you guys
Kristin

Chanan's first day

Today I started inservice at my elementary school. I was bombarded by MANY new faces who ALL knew me- I'm the only new face on campus this year besides a student teacher! I decorated my room, and yes, I do have a room about the size of 1/2 a classroom! I will have some students at the jr. high and have been told they "possibly" have a place for me there! And now, as it approaches 2:00, I have 2 more hours to just sit here. All my student folders are at another school after being cleaned out over the summer so there isn't much left to do!
Hope y'alls first days are going well! I pray for peace in your hearts and minds, especially if y'all are becoming as overwhelmed as me!

Diarrhea, Dancing, and Diagnostic What?

Here's a few snapshots of my first official day at the office:

Although I thought I would be the most nervous person at work today, I was severely mistaken. Minutes into the workday, I overheard another new hire (a 40+ year old woman who had just received her master's and was hired as a diagnostic SLP) speaking with a seasoned veteran about how she was feeling on this first day. When asked if she was overwhelmed, the woman responded abruptly," I've had diarrhea for weeks just thinking about today!"

As the clock approached noon, I was feeling completely overwhelmed. I had spent the entire morning staring at a list of names and dates of upcoming ARD's and evaluation dates. With only minutes until an hour of freedom for lunch, a few fellow SLP's came into my office and asked if I wanted to join them for lunch. I had just spoken with Chris and agreed to meet him for lunch so I casually said, "No thanks, I'm having lunch with my husband." To my utter shock and amazement, one of the SLP's began to shake her money maker and announced at the top of her voice...."Kay's having lunch with her husband ladies. We all know what that means!!! She'll be coming back into the office with a smile this afternoon!"

At the end of the day, I was required to attend a meeting with the Superintendent of the school along with all the special education staff. The Superintendent began to announce all of the new employees and got to my name and title. Upon reading "Diagnostic Speech Pathologist" he said," What is that? I've never heard of that...Is that a new certification? As I sat down, I was met by a simultaneous eye roll by my fellow colleagues.

All in all, I'd have to say it was a good day. I didn't have diarrhea; I laughed hysterically; and I realized that at the end of the day I should just enjoy myself because ultimately.... no one really knows what we do!!

Hope all of you had a great first day!