I only have one more week. Yes, I will be dead by the end of next week!! Oh no! Well, no. Sorry, I won’t die until I become 150 years old. So, what’s about one more week? Well, I am completing my practicum by the end of next week. Yes, I am finally getting master’s in counseling. It took forever to get this fucking degree. It took me $6000 more to get this degree. And I probably wouldn’t use it for anything. But, I am getting master’s degree. I guess that’s exciting, but since I am already in PhD program, I am not so excited about it. Especially, my study is going nowhere…
Anyway, I have been working at the non-profit organization that specializes working with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). Yeah, I am working with kids who have ever popular Autism. I must say it’s pretty challenging. I don’t know how their parents do it. It’s really challenging to work with autistic kids, but at least, I get to go home! I mainly work with pre-schooler (4 – 6 years old), and I am sooooooo attached to my kids. I knew I like kids prior to start working there, but I didn't’ know I like kids this much. Since they are autistic, they cannot communicate well. Some kids even don’t say anything or don’t look at me. But, it felt really awesome when kids came up to me and said “Hi Ken!” for the first time. It took more than a month for most of kids to recognize me and remember my name! I really think the perception of Autism in general public has been very biased. People think kids with Autism have like super smart or something. But, it is not uncommon autistic children get second diagnose with mild mental retardation. Because Autism is spectrum disorder, cognitive function is really varied. As far as I know, children with Autism usually have less than average cognitive function. But, children who are diagnosed with Asperger have average or more than average cognitive function. Basically, under ASD, there are several clinical diagnoses. Autism and Asperger are under ASD.
Anyway, again, it has been kinda bitter sweet weeks for me. I am excited about I am completing my requirement hours for my degree, but at the same time, I really love working there. I was hoping to work throughout this summer (as a volunteer). But, since I will be in Japan for three weeks, I decided to not come back. I cannot really leave my kids for three weeks alone, so I figured it is better for them to get new therapists. So, my last day is next Friday, and I am pretty sure I will cry (a little bit). I wish I could take pictures with them, but for legal reasons (HIPPA!!!), that not possible. I already started missing my kids!!
