Mentorship Experience

My mentor Ariana takes care of a 4 year old child named Sergio that is diagnosed with autism. He is a bright child, he can count to 100 while other kids in the day care do not know how to spell their names yet. He just has trouble focusing, expressing his feelings, and speaking. My mentor uses the MANDing method to help him through. He has progressed a lot since the last time, he used to bite other kids but now he uses manners and keeps his hands to himself and knows how to share. He is a very cute and smart kid, who needs a lot of attention from teachers and parents. Sergio has a very long day, he goes to school around 9:40 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. I go see them from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Everyday it is usually the same routine, the kids play games, then the teacher reads a book to them, then they go outside to play. I have learned a lot of methods on how to help an autistic child with my mentor but I feel I don't really get that much experience or learn any new strategies. It has been extremely hard to get a hold of a place with just autistic children so I have settled for the day care. Ariana says I can read social stories or teach Sergio a few methods if I would like to do that for my independent component but I still am unsure. I look forward to helping Sergio in his progress and accomplishing his goals.

Blog 6- Second Interview Preparation

1. My mentor is Ariana Nasseri who is a Behavior Interventionist that currently works at Amar Children's Center.

2.

• What do you enjoy the most about your job?
• Do you have any past experience with working with autistic children and if how challenging was it?
• In college, what did you major in and did it help lead you to the career you have pursued?
• Where have you worked/volunteered at with helping out autistic children?
• Is it your plan to get promoted to a higher position or stay in your current position?

Blog 5- Mentorship Reflection

1.  I found my mentorship through the Internet when I was looking for schools and centers that could possibly have kids with autism and I could help them. I actually found it in my city and quickly called and got the opportunity. I went in to the Amar Children's Center that same day I was accepted. I also found it through one of my friends that had done her volunteer hours there in the summer. Although it is a great place to do my hours, I also want to look for more places that could help me more with my essential question.
2. The most important article I have read so far is called Autism Symptoms & Early Signs. It is 6 pages long with detailed information on how autism could be understood and a list of symptoms a child with autism has. It helps you easily tell if your child has autism or has developed healthy. It also tells you what to do if your child does has autism and what treatment can undergo.