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
Good to hear from you Mr T.....and well done for making it to Friday.
lone - hope you day was good too...and Missy and Spotty x
Hello Ellie. Yeay you all made it through the whole week. I did 3 things out of my comfort zone today and the rest of the time was lazy.. but also researching , making an enquiry and chatting on here. My 3 things were making an appointment, checking up on a relative and visiting my elderly recently widowed next door neighbour. 2 phone calls got my heart pounding but I did it. Seem such small things when I write them. Hope you have a nice weekend
Guess so.
I do get comments on there about how nice or lovely my family were.all true.i remember them back as well but I think I was behind my thick glass barrier! Off up the chip shop,any orders,see ya soon.x
You feeling a bit sore?
i am one of three siblings....hurt last year at a family funeral where my mum introduced me last....!
Me ok? I am fine thanks,been doing some thinking just lately.nothing big just me and ASD etc,been some nice pictures and comments on that fb page I go on,it's for where I grew up ,1950's 60's and 70's.we were lucky to have been there in our community at that period of time,lovely people who knew my siblings and parents,no real feed back about me but my siblings loads? More proof I didn't exhist?who knows?
but yeah mr happy at you lot.
) ( said:Did it feel any different teaching the young newcomer now that you ARE on the spectrum?
Not formally diagnosed but emailed mum yesterday to say I was looking forward to teaching her child and braved a p.s to say that I was part of the club as well.
still in touch with kids I taught 15,yrs ago.
You ok?
Hi Ellie how fantastic to be remembered by an ex student,he has something very good with a four year apprenticeship,made me smile that did, I found my old chemistry and physics teacher on face book,we are friends,I don't think he understood me back then but still did amazing things to help me,not academic but school trips to north wales,I owe him so very much, I also apologised for being a difficult pupil,I also told him I was dyslexic,haven't dared say about my ASD.yet! He has thousands of friends on face book,he was a rare person indeed,I learnt about natures beauty and socialising with others,I couldn't get used to calling him by his name instead of sir.
Did it feel any different teaching the young newcomer now that you ARE on the spectrum? Really interested as I would wonder what it's like to converse face to face with someone like me,scares me to meet someone with severe autism,I just couldn't cope,or could I? I'm not scared or worried if I see a disabled person so maybe I could cope very well, I have never felt uncomfortable about any disability.
I am rambling! Good to hear all,big hugs().
Everyone has been so busy and so awesome...so easy to miss names and people. My ASD student is lovely....so hope they enjoyed their session with me today. Not able to access my IT account at work to find out if mum or student had anything to say. Hopefully good.
forgit about Quirky...,things seem fairly quiet there? Hope all is ok x
Thankyou Lonewarrior. Ellie how did it go with the new student with asd? Must feel some pride when an ex student voluntarily sends their regards? Don't forget Quirky on a different time zone.. and Spotty has been on the forum today. Glad Toms week has gone well and sounds like he may have access to a work library...
Oh Lone... six hours of back to back teaching today! Phew! But....found out the one if my old students (ASD/ADHD).... has just started a 4 yr apprenticeship with Range Rover....he sent me his regards today....
every child a grey hair and a wrinkle..,it's exhausting, but positive...!
miss you guys loads!
Hi all and a big welcome back to tom,tom I am so really really happy for you right now,.Everything is sounding so positive and long may it continue,I really wish I could give you a really big hug!
Can I please say a big thank you from us all for starting this post,it has become the unofficial meeting place and any subject matter goes,we have had our ups and downs but we have survived the first week relatively unscathed,it would have been so much better with you here but I understand how things are,Keep being focused on your book and your new amazing job, Right now I feel we have been using your gaff in your absence but it's a very nice gaff and we did keep it clean for you.
Hi Ellie I had a good stress free day today,I hope your day went ok to? Plenty of time if you want to talk about anything,tom won't mind .I thought about you today as I was teacher Lol.
Got very wet then very dry again,saw lightening and heard thunder, I spent a bit of time teaching the young operator how to operate a jcb,he did ok,big hug.
Dear missy you have helped complete my weekend by achieving three things,small things they may appear but I know how the little things can start the anxiety off. I said before about my phone call,it took quite a while to get ready for it?
You are doing very well,()()()()(),,,,cannot resist,,,,,big hug,,blush blush.
So where's spotty and quirky and any of the others? Hugs reserved until you appear.
Get you! So pleased you've been getting out there...and better still you survived! X I hope we get some to catch up properly over the weekend!