ABA and Penny!

New Job in ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) 

So just recently I began a new job and I couldn’t be more excited! I took a position as a Behavioral Therapist in an autism center. I couldn’t be happier. I never expected to find a job so quickly after college, and on top of that I’m working in the field I earned my degree in! (Talk about dreams coming true.)

 

I must say that the job is much harder than I thought it would be, its not easy to work with those who can’t communicate as most of us do. Teaching is hard even if a child does not have a disability. Although it can be difficult it is very worth it. It is beyond rewarding to know I am actually making a difference in lives of not only the child I work with, but also their family.  I also have a very diverse client population.  Some of my kiddos don’t have the ability to vocalize words, others don’t have the ability to identify letters or numbers, and some are just getting potty trained at the age of four and five. It’s eye opening to realize how lucky I was to be able to talk, say my ABC’s, and count to ten when I was their age.

The best part of my job is that I don’t necessarily feel like I’m doing work. I don’t sit behind a desk and use a computer. I work one on one with these young kids on simple ideas such as the difference between a fork and a hair brush, how to sign for something they want, and how to behave in social situations. Although my job can be very technical in the ideas of Applied Behavioral Analysis, it is still fun and the day’s fly by. I also don’t have to dress like a professional…  I get to dress like I did when I went to my college classes! It’s pretty amazing!

New fur baby!

Leonard and Pennt from Big Bang Theory

I talked my Fiancé into adding a new kitten to our family; our little Leo needed a sister. I got my new baby from the Indianapolis Humane Society (where we get all our cats) and she is PURRRRR-fect. 

I had a name picked out before I even knew

Top: Penny
Bottom: Leo

which cat I was getting! We decided to name her Penny! We named our current cat Leo, but we call him Leonard. If anyone is familiar with the show “The Big Bang Theory” you will know the main couples names are Leonard and Penny!!! So that’s how that went down!

She is super cuddly and very sweet. She gives kisses and rubs up against your face at night. I’m very excited that my two babies are getting along and will be able to keep one another company while we are at work during the day.