Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi folks,
Today was the first day of my week-long induction into my new job, working as an Individual Support Worker in day services in a local autism charitable trust. It was an interesting, if exhausting day. We all got to introduce ourselves and talk about our experiences with autistic people. I seemed to be the only one who'd worked in care for several years. Many people were completely new to it. It was great to see such enthusiasm, though, for working with people on the spectrum. Most of the people we'll be working with are severely autistic and need 24-hour support.
I was also the only person there with an autism diagnosis, which I mentioned - and which generated a flurry of interest. The trainers would often come to me for perspectives, and most people seemed generally keen to hear of my experiences both through working with autistic people and through my own personal experiences as an autistic person. I think this is really going to be a great place to work!
I was anxious as hell over the weekend - mainly about the journey there. I did a lot of planning, though (my car doesn't have sat-nav) and didn't get lost once, despite a lot of complicated city-centre navigation. I have a hopeless sense of direction, and one wrong turning would have left me in Nightmare-land! I feel so much better now!
How was everyone else's day today?
Tom
Oh dear..,things seem very quiet! Does that mean a mid-week tired slump?
hope all you lovely people are ok?
the elephant is back in the room!
Hello Ellie Hope you have kicked off your shoes and put your feet up! Yes quiet day today.
Are you ok? How are things?
Good x
Yes the change from summer to autumn seems to be here..Not keen on the earlier dark nights either! I'll be back later.
Sounds like a really positive day - well done you.
i'm not sleeping that well either thus week. The darker mornings are throwing me as well.,
Mixed as ever! Woke up at 4 this morning took ages to get back to sleep and the humidity has given me a headache. But I did more "steps" today and pleased I'm going to get the painting done starting next week. This will mean I can start to reassemble that bedroom which will then mean I can start to have less clutter in my room and be able to restart tackling the really cluttered room. As they say baby steps. I have been worrying about how I would get it done but some things fall into place eventually.
It is very quiet without you but our conversations will be at different times! It did encourage me to look at the website more and do a bit of research ( see your post on asd women). But it also meant that I went to "do" things not just chat online! Going to go out for a walk soon before it gets dark
I'll try Missy.
now, how are you?
Hello Ellie. 6 hrs non stop is a lot of concentration and social interaction and a lot of preparation.. Hope your classes are not too big and that you have a better understanding of the new student after all the summer's discussions. It will be interesting to see if you identify more about them now than you would have before. Hope you can switch off to relax a bit this evening
hope you're enjoying the peace and quiet without us!
Hi Missy
really very tired....but getting there I hope...,6 hours of back to back teaching tomorrow. Have my first meet up with a new student who is on the spectrum. Emailed mum this afternoon to introduce myself!
Missing you guys....
How was everyone's day today? Warrior I am concerned at you taking strong pain meds when using those big machines! I hope you were in less pain today and finishing the job scooping out stuff from the water. I too have arthritis of spine and knee which is more painful sometimes than others but unpleasant in any case. Tom I hope your week has continued to be positive and the induction going well. Ellie I hope you are feeling more settled now the students are back not solely having to mix with colleagues. Spotty hope you haven't dwelled too much on the adhd as it's easy to become swamped with information overload. I did some of that but then went to the library and to see my dad. Plus arranging for the areas plastered to be decorated ( I am way too messy to do a neat job and potential hazards are high!).