A WORLD ALL YOUR OWN

2012-03-14T21:02:00.002-07:00

It was the summer of 2003 and my days of care giving were coming to an end and a new friendship had begun. A friendship which has lasted for nine years and one that introduced me to a whole new line of work, working with those who have Autism.

It was a whole new ball game for me but after care giving, it seemed a natural place to be. I began training classes along with First Aide and CPR, I remember being trained and roll playing how to arm myself and another individual should the person you are working with become dangerous to you or anyone else including them.

You can bet I was rethinking entering into this line of work at that point but it's never come to that. All that we studied on the subject of the possibility that because these individuals with Autism might not understand how to deal with their emotions there was a chance they could turn violent.

After all, that is part of how some of them react. They become frustrated with whatever it is they are dealing with and instead of what we might do which is blow steam or use profanity when we are pushed to our limits they in turn can resort to the physical and swing their arms and some may hit and others just flat out give a great big grunt and mess their pants.

So all training was done and I was ready for the real deal, the hands on of all of it.

I really didn't know what I was in for but there was something deep inside that said "just stick with it" so I did and here I am, nine years later.

My very first client was Ilene. The first night I worked with her I sure what to make of it. A bit perplexed as she had greeted me and we talked briefly and then she went in her room and closed door.

Ok. We had four more hours to go. I sat on the couch waiting patiently, flipping through some magazines and I thought dear god, I can't take this! You've got to be kidding. I just sit here for hours on end with a quick hello and brief conversation?

I told my supervisor and she said just give her time and in the mean time, the rest is really up to you. This is where the real work begins.

I began working with Ilene on what I sensed her needs were and nine years later, I've not missed yet.

I began seeing her schedule, the type of work she did, the family she comes from, the person she was and who was still inside her yet to come out.

This ladybug works at U.C.L.A. and does a multi task job including data entry, receipts and scanning.
She has won typing contests for typing at the bullet speed of 120 wpm on the computer and 110 manually.

Tell her your birthdate, the date, the year and the month and she will tell you with almost no hesitation, exactly what day of the week you were born.

She can hold an intellectual conversation with almost anyone and surprise the pants off those who are some of the most knowledgeable people. She can converse on almost any subject and she is a walking GPX.

Her brain is much like a map and I believe that is why she is so drawn to maps. The world of those with Autism is 1-2-3-4. If 4 is missing their day is shot to hell.

For example. One morning I had to take her bed apart, rearranging and just because the mattress was out of the bed frame she called into work that she was unable to make in that day.

Luckily once I got the bed back together she resumed to being herself recomposed and was able to go into work.

You see, the mattress was #4 in her brain which was out of place and that was the end of her day right then and there.

Autistics take things literally. For example, when the light is green at the cross walk yet the little man symbol says stop, most of usually continue to walk, an Autistic person will not. The symbol says stop so they stop and they will wait until it says walk, even if waiting means waiting through four or five lights. They will stand there and wait.

I really learned about Ilene as I assisted her throughout her school years at S.M.C. (all for more more writing to come)