March Extra Blog Post INSPIRATION

My mentor Ariana Nasseri really inspires me to be more patient and understanding with kids, not just autistic children, but just kids. Her years at Calpoly really did her good and molded her into the person she is now. She gave me skills that could really help me later on whether it's speaking to the patient's parents or teaching children how to write. She makes me want to be more social because I tend to come off as awkward even with little kids. I have progressed a lot since the first time I have gone to mentorship and now I do way more hands on activities with Sergio and it's exciting. She also taught me how to project myself and explain myself better because I stutter a lot and get nervous in between words. I'm happy that not only is it fun working with little kids but I have learned plenty of life lessons as well! And how I want to raise my child. She gave me this opportunity to learn more and make the best version of myself as I can be. These experiences will help me in the long run in college and when I start a family.

Blog 17: Third Answer

• What is the best way to help a child with autism develop better social skills?
• A great way to help a child with autism is for the parents to become their own child's expert.
• 1) Simply sitting down with them and give them extra attention getting to know what they don't like and what they like. 2) Looking up research on which effective treatments can be done at home to help your child. 3) Make a calendar set up with goals and ways to help the child reach them.
• Stokes, Susan. "Effective Programming for Young Children with Autism (Ages 3-5)." Autism Papers-- Pg 1. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2012. Web. 03 Oct. 2014.
• Being able to understand your child's perspective is very important. Since every child with autism is on a different spectrum level, you have to figure out which treatments work for them and which ones don't. Providing a warm environment and improving their cognitive skills is the best way.

Feb. Extra Blog Post

One of the articles that really caught my attention this month and surprised me was an article from Fox 4 News about a middle school boy with autism almost getting bullied to death. That really got to me, the fact that at such a young age kids bully others with disabilities. The 12 year old boy from Liberty Middle School was attacked by another boy because he asked him to move out of his seat. He was beaten till he blacked out. It's quite emotional how the parents describe the scene.... People should be more aware of children with disabilities and educate them about it. Whether a child has autism or not, bullying is never okay, but children should be aware of other kids that are different than they are. Therefore, they might have a different perspective and react differently than a normal child would.

 (a picture of Blake, 12 year old boy 

                                                                             bullied to death)

Extra Blog Post: Temple Grandin inspired me

From my presentation I thought it was a great idea to mention Temple Grandin. She is the one who inspired my mentor and I to be more understandable to those children with autism. From her advice and experience, people have more respect and more patience towards these kids. They now know which methods best work and which don't depending on the severity of the child. I think that is very important. Mostly on helping us figure out what treatments best work for those that need help with cognitive skills. If you watch the trailer from her movie, you can tell she was misunderstood. Her parents and others saw her as "dumb" and shoved her around a lot. But she grew to become independent and very intelligent since the beginning but nobody cared enough to notice. It is such an emotional and uplifting movie. I think we all need to learn to have patience and respect others as we would like to be respected.

Blog 11: Holiday Project Update

1. Due to my cousins coming over from Colorado and spending time with my whole family during the holidays, I did not have much time to work on my senior project as much as I should've. And physically I could not volunteer since the day care was closed and my mentor was on vacation as well. Although I did go over all my research and read books as well.
2. The most important thing I learned from what I did was that it is good to overanalyze research and refresh your memory on specific facts essential to your component. I honestly forgot a lot of my information in such little time so it helped me a lot that I went over it. The source of what I learned was that autistic children deserve credit and respect just like any other kid. Most of them have high IQ's and are very good in writing sections.
3. If I were to do a 10 question interview with someone about my EQ it would be Temple Grandin because she was also an autistic child herself and she has plenty of books she has written of children with autism, therefore; very knowledgeable about the topic.

December Extra Blog Post

I can honestly say I have not done much to contribute for my project over the break since the kids at the day care I volunteer at are on break and I can not see Sergio outside of school. Although I have gone to the library and looked for books on children with autism. I will continue to do more of my research and I will be returning to the day care when the break is over.

An Autistic Child Named Sergio

These past few months that I have been going to the day care, I have learned a lot about Sergio and his behavior. Everyday is a long day for him; he is at school for 5 hours and it affects his mood. He has become more grumpy and quite violent. Two weeks ago, he bit his teachers and everything got out of control. I know he does not mean to harm anyone and he only gets that way temporarily. Overall, he is a very polite and playful child. It kind of upsets me although that the kids push him aside because he's strange sometimes and refuses to play with them. I think they should try and make him feel more involved and that being involved is good. I know sometimes my mentor gets frustrated and it is a very difficult job; but I admire her patience and acceptance. Sergio is such a bright child and he really tries; I know it is hard to deal with his attitude sometimes but I believe it will all be worth it. This early intervention he is getting will benefit him in the long run. I'm not saying it will cure his autism because there is no cure; but it will improve his social and cognitive skills. Sadly, I could not provide a picture of Sergio to post because quite frankly that is illegal if not approved by the administration.

Blog 10: EQ

1. I reviewed the rule of three for my Essential Question.

2. What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?
I personally believe that this essential question meets the rule of three standards. There could be various answers to the question which is good and it definitely is not just black and white.

    What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?
I believe this does not really meet the standards and I did not understand the question it was very confusing.

    How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?
This essential question meets the rule of three because it is very specific and there can be a lot of information and different answers on this topic.

3. Draft EQ:

What is the best way to help an autistic child develop better social skills that will benefit them in the future?

Blog 8 - Research and Working EQ

1. My working EQ is how can you help a child with autism communicate better with others?
2. What is a possible answer to your working EQ? 

EQ: How can you help a child with autism communicate better with others?

• Social activities could be formed or group activities so the child can be more engaged with his/her peers.
• Reading social stories about daily routines of everyday life can help a child become more familiar with to what is normal and what is not.

     3. The most important source that has helped me come up with an answer to my working EQ is the               article Social Skills Activities for Kids with Autism by Kate Miller-Wilson.
     4. My mentor is Ariana Nasseri and I am helping her take care of Sergio. What I am doing is making activities and stories that could help Sergio become more involved and social with other children.

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. 

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ

1. List your topic here:                            
      Autism

2. Write a question that helps to focus your research this month.
            How can you help a child with autism communicate better with others?

2 Hour Presentations

1. The presentations I saw in order were: Social Work for Abused, Cosmetology, Occupational Therapy, Suicidal Youth, Photography, EMT (First Aid), Personality Disorders, HLE Officer, Physical Therapy, Engineering, Pharmaceutical, Cancer Advocacy, Coffee Shop Management, Marriage & Family Therapy, Cake Decorating, and Domestic Violence.
2. A question I still have about the senior project is if the teachers help students reword or make better their essential question if it is bad. Another question is the time requirement. Is it an hour or two hours? What do you need to make your presentation interesting but informative? If someone is shy what should be their advice to better their presentation?
3. The most important part of the senior project based on what I have seen is probably making it interesting and comfortable for themselves and for the audience.
4. I am considering doing clinical social working because it really interests me because I like to help other people. But I am still reconsidering and I might choose another field for my senior project.
5. If I go along with social working I might go to Tri-City Mental Hospital but if not I will find somewhere else.