Baby Steps
I've recently made my first transition away from schools and into private practice. I just reduced my school workload to three days per week so that I could catch my breath and save my sanity. After a few weeks of having two extra days off, I decided that I needed to do something to help transition into private practice and to make up for the drop in income. So, after a few interviews with different places, I decided to sign up with a place who hires contractors to provide intervention for the birth-3 population. The nice thing is that I get to say how busy I am, and when I'm full, I'm full. Also, I still have one weekday to myself, which I'm guarding very carefully. As far as helping step into private practice, since I'm an independent contractor, I'm not technically an "employee" of anyone, and this will be a good way to network with parents who will have friends with small children possibly needing services.
This past week was my first week of travelling to homes after trying to buy appropriate toys and activites, cram client information into my head, and remember what it's like to work with the wee ones. It went better than I expected, and I didn't get worn out too much. I'm amazed sometimes at how permissive people are with their homes and their children. My families are across the spectrum as far as their involvement - at one place I'm led to the child's room by the nanny (who I communicate with by using gestures and facial expressions since she speaks no English) and the door is promptly closed behind me. Then I have other families who have me work with their toddler in one room while they are in the next room listening. And then there's the mother who watches every move I make and stays within 10 feet of me and her child. Truly, I prefer the parents who are a bit more involved - it makes carryover so much easier. Also, I feel weird being alone unsupervised with a child, for liability sake. At school, I'm very careful to have a room that is observable by people passing by so that there are witnesses to what is happening. This may seem paranoid, but I have known a few people who've been accused of certain things. The only way they haven't lost their job is because they've had peers who can vouch for them.
I'm learning to take on some different roles than I'm used to. In schools, I don't have as many opportunities as I'd like for parent education, which is very different from my new position. I have to become more educated on things like weaning, use of binkies, picky eaters, oral hygiene and the like, which delves more into feeding and swallowing than what I'm used to. I've had parents ask me questions, and for the first time in several years, I've had to say "I'm really not sure - let me get back to you on that".
Even though there's a learning curve that makes it a bit stressful, the best part is that I get to work with the little guys. Yep, all the kids on my caseload are boys. Some of them are truly delayed, and I have a feeling the others are just "late bloomers" as many boys tend to be. I have the quiet ones who I have to practically stand on my head to get anything out of them, the cuddly ones who like to sit on me, the ones who are happy go lucky one minute and screaming bloody murder the next, and the ones who are quietly oblivious to me unless they want something. Each is a little puzzle.
This new venture of mine is a bit scary, as I'm leaving the "safe, but stressful" environment I've known for so long, but it's the only way to move forward.
This past week was my first week of travelling to homes after trying to buy appropriate toys and activites, cram client information into my head, and remember what it's like to work with the wee ones. It went better than I expected, and I didn't get worn out too much. I'm amazed sometimes at how permissive people are with their homes and their children. My families are across the spectrum as far as their involvement - at one place I'm led to the child's room by the nanny (who I communicate with by using gestures and facial expressions since she speaks no English) and the door is promptly closed behind me. Then I have other families who have me work with their toddler in one room while they are in the next room listening. And then there's the mother who watches every move I make and stays within 10 feet of me and her child. Truly, I prefer the parents who are a bit more involved - it makes carryover so much easier. Also, I feel weird being alone unsupervised with a child, for liability sake. At school, I'm very careful to have a room that is observable by people passing by so that there are witnesses to what is happening. This may seem paranoid, but I have known a few people who've been accused of certain things. The only way they haven't lost their job is because they've had peers who can vouch for them.
I'm learning to take on some different roles than I'm used to. In schools, I don't have as many opportunities as I'd like for parent education, which is very different from my new position. I have to become more educated on things like weaning, use of binkies, picky eaters, oral hygiene and the like, which delves more into feeding and swallowing than what I'm used to. I've had parents ask me questions, and for the first time in several years, I've had to say "I'm really not sure - let me get back to you on that".
Even though there's a learning curve that makes it a bit stressful, the best part is that I get to work with the little guys. Yep, all the kids on my caseload are boys. Some of them are truly delayed, and I have a feeling the others are just "late bloomers" as many boys tend to be. I have the quiet ones who I have to practically stand on my head to get anything out of them, the cuddly ones who like to sit on me, the ones who are happy go lucky one minute and screaming bloody murder the next, and the ones who are quietly oblivious to me unless they want something. Each is a little puzzle.
This new venture of mine is a bit scary, as I'm leaving the "safe, but stressful" environment I've known for so long, but it's the only way to move forward.
posted by Notta Wallflower at 5:27 PM
8 Comments:
Congratulations on finding a safe way to segue into private practice!
In the long run, I think you'll find early intervention more rewarding. The earlier you catch developmental difficulties, the better it is for the child!
That's soooo sad about the kid with the nanny!! WHO will follow through with this child's therapy?
TSHS - I did early intervention a few years ago and loved it, but it was in a nonprofit clinic. It took a lot of energy because I was doing it full time, but my current work is 6 hours a week. As far as follow through, I'm not really sure. That's my frustration in the schools as well - when I give ideas for language enrichment at home and I know they aren't being worked on. But I don't have much control over that.
I know I have complained about the public school systems here but what you are doing is great. The earlier you figure something is wrong with the child the better they will have it in school when it comes to that. I know K is going to have a harder time next year because in first grade they dont have a para teacher to help those that dont understand everything. I just hope she doesnt struggle to much. But I think what you are doing is great. Do you do follow ups too to see how the child is doing? Or do you just go in do the first thing and then that is it for you? Kids are wonders with people. Tweets
Hi Tweets - At school, I have a caseload of kids I work with regularly. Even the ones who are "at risk" I have on a list so I can keep an eye on them. Follow up is difficult, though, when personnel changes so often. In my new job, I only have seen kids who have already been evaluated, so I don't know about the ones who may be "borderline", but didn't qualify.
That must be so hard in a job like that. I mean J and I drill K all the time in the stuff she has learned or has to learn in school.The only thing we are having troubles with is graphs with her. But she is little yet. The teacher says to use M&M's but she wants to eat the M&M's before we got done with the project. LOL.. Kids right? LOL. Again I am glad you can help them. I am glad we caught K before she got worse than she was. B is doing ok. She can talk but I am thinking about having her evaluated for preschool in September and see how things go. I would like her to be around other kids. They need that.
Notta, I am glad that you have gone in to private practice and that your work load is less. It sounds like you are really enjoying working with the wee ones. It's kind of weird how some parents don't give a rat's ass if you are alone with their kids. I'll probably be the mom that hovers in the background. I am happy for you, you took a big risk and that alone is a hard thing to do. Congrats!
Thanks Angelique. I haven't gotten to the hard part yet, which is going into operation in my shared business, but that should be up and running by September. :-)
LOL.. Maybe I should hire you to come evaluate our younger one to see if shes ready for preschool this fall? LOL..... She will be three in June and I would love for her to go to preschool. The only thing I notice about her unlike our older one is that she is shy around strangers. I was only joking anyway, you only do your district so you couldnt come here and evaluate her. At least I think that is how it works.
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