Thursday, April 30, 2009

34 more days and counting

It wasn't me that counted down the exact days...it was our janitor lady.

34 more days until this assignment is over.

I'm exhausted from this week, even though it's not yet over. My IEP marathon (record total of 7 in 4 days) ends late tomorrow. Thank goodness because I've been suffering from insomnia despite exhaustion, getting stress hives, and succumbing to unhealthy vices. A big "lesson" I've learned/executive decision I've established for myself this week is that I do not want to hold any more IEPs for students that I did not assess.

I had my BCBA supervision meeting this afternoon and my associates analyzed my behavior re: my co-worker and I. This is what was discussed and determined:
  • The function of my behavior is hypothesized to be control, but since that is a mentalistic viewpoint, that cannot possibly be it.
  • Therefore, the function of my behavior is hypothesized to be for me to avoid a bad reputation (I just want to do a good job).
  • I negatively reinforce my co-worker's escape/avoidance of work. By doing "her" work, I decrease the amount of complaining I hear from her.
  • However, she is positively reinforced to continue avoiding work b/c I keep doing her work; she keeps getting away with not doing work.
  • I am positively reinforced when I do her job because I receive praise from District and County people.
  • Failed antecedent interventions: 1) I created checklists to minimize my interactions with her and for the Team to stay organized and minimize mistakes. It failed b/c she doesn't use them and commented behind my back, "next year, [when I'm gone] there won't be so many damn checklists." My response behind her back: there wouldn't be so many "damn" checklists if you were doing your job right. 2) Offer to co-hold IEPs with her, but she refused.
  • More potential antecedent interventions: 1) have administrator remind the Team that whomever completes an assessment must hold the IEP; 2) give District staff a list of students I case-manage so that when a problem comes up, staff doesn't always come to me when it involves her; 3) have both of us attend scheduling meetings.
  • By avoiding going to that side tomorrow (and avoiding seeing her), I am giving myself a "time-out."
Gotta love this ABA stuff.

But what would be a Functionally Equivalent Replacement Behavior for me??

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Counting Down

Seven more weeks until summer vacation! Thankfully, the seven weeks will be broken up with a weekend trip to Vegas and Memorial Day holiday(which falls on a weekday that I'm usually in MB). Hubby and I will go to Vegas to visit his parents in 3 weeks. I am already dreaming about our mini-vacation -- sleeping in a very plushy bed, eating a huge mound of cocktail shrimps at Red Rock buffet, and having coffee just to indulge (not just to keep me awake).

Seven more weeks until June 18. My co-worker and I have been planning a "last day in MB celebration" for some time now. It will likely be a late lunch with endless french fries -- our favorite comfort food. No happy hour with libations b/c: 1) she does not imbibe and 2) I have my last BCBA supervision class that afternoon.

I really am trying not to complain so much. I know I've learned a lot this year, and through it all, I've been really blessed in countless ways. The big obvious blessing is that my job is secure. Yesterday, I was at my other site and there was a substitute teacher from Nigeria. This statement is not meant to be misconstrued in any way, but I have noticed that a lot of subsitute SDC (autism) teachers are from Nigeria. Yesterday, the teacher asked me about being an SLP. I asked if he was pursuing a Masters in Education or striving to be a permanent teacher here. He quickly said, "no way..." He elaborated on the budget crisis and how it doesn't make sense to him how teachers are getting pink-slipped. He shared that in Nigeria, teachers are highly respected. They are the first educators of those who grow up to become doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and all other highly-successful professionals. As obvious as that might be, I never thought of it like that. When people argue that educators don't get paid enough for what they do, I always thought of it in terms of like...all the crap we put up with! Ridiculous parents, mounds of paperwork, preparation time (from home), purchasing own supplies, etc. Maybe the overall thing is that educators just don't get enough recognition.

Or maybe I'm back to griping b/c it's been a hard, un-awesome week for me. Today's first IEP totally sucked for many reasons; I refuse to hold any more IEPs for someone else. All things considered, I'm hanging in well though...despite my typical psychosomatic stress symptoms of insomnia, stress hives/eczema, anxiety attacks, and stress-eating. I have to say that Hubby's been keeping me sane.

Everyday, I look forward to coming home and getting good laughs. Today, I came home with two Twinkies that I got from work that kind of got smooshed in my purse. He said, "I'm going to have my smashed Twinkie now..." After a slight pause, he asked, "Did you steal these from [favorite student with severe autism who doesn't care when other students steal his food]?" I couldn't believe he asked me that!

Just now, he told me he loves me. He said, "I read on Yahoo that I have to tell you I love you everyday. I love you." I thought that was so cute and funny that he read that on Yahoo. I got all excited and exclaimed, "You read those Yahoo [relationship tips] articles, too?" He said, "yes...And I love you tomorrow and all day tomorrow..." Before I could say, "how sweet," he said, "...so I don't have to say it again tomorrow." That's cheating...!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Not Senioritis

...Someone inadvertently reminded me that it's called Spring Fever. It's when us public educators and health care professionals in the public schools are all burnt out and the kids feel our pain -- they are just as ready for Summer Break, too.

I can't say I have much time this week to kick back, though. By the end of this week, I will have participated/held 7 IEPs in 4 days. Thank goodness I had a really awesome weekend that kicked off this week.

On Saturday, my brother and FBIL hosted a party at their place to announce our getting married/semi-elopement. Many wonderful friends came by -- including those whom we hardly see! The Reunion Award went out to our fabulous friends, John and Kasra -- my bro and I haven't seen them since we first met in 2003! Some of my grad school classmates showed up, including one I met from post-bacc who now has an adorable baby girl. Dear BSILF and Lukey made a fabulous guest appearance, as well. It was sOoOOoO much fun to hang out with our friends.

Unfortunately, we didn't take pictures. The featured item was a bar that Bro picked up for $10 and Lulu dressed up real chic. To complete it, Hubby bartended the whole time. It was awesome! Amongst other cocktails, Hubby made some delicious Surfer on Acid of which I had 2 of and didn't get all woozy. We had quite a yummy BBQ and spread, including Death Dogs! That was our big featured menu item. Ironically, Hubby and I didn't even partake in any after all our hype.

By night-time, I was so exhausted! Earlier in the week, I asked Hubby how old he felt and he said 27. He asked me in return and I said, "I feel like I'm 25." I might have to say I actually feel like 49...It was only like 10 PM or something when I crashed on the sofa while our last two guests, Double D, chatted it up with Hubby!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Old Speech Teacher

In the middle of one of my autism therapy sessions, my favorite general ed students from last year, C & D, stopped in the doorway and bellowed, "Hey old speech teacher!" I was so excited that they stopped by that it took a couple seconds to register what they called me. Ha! I used to get on them all the time about not knowing my name. Oh well.

Seeing them really made my day as I've really missed them. The last time I saw DA, he pretty much pretended he didn't see me and ignored me. I was sooo crushed. Hubby hypothesized that DA probably had issues with abandonment so when I "left" their school to go to MB, he went through detachment...which may be his coping mechanism considering his personal life. That made me even sadder to think that because I didn't want to "leave" him...but work is work and we can get moved at the flip of a dime.

So when I saw him today, I asked how he's been and whether he had his Tri-IEP and tested out. He said no he didn't have his IEP (which made me cringe inside for various reasons)...and then he paused and said that his parents weren't contacted, but come to think of it, both were in jail at the time (which goes back to Hubby's hypothesis about attachment/abandonment issues). He also shared that he was moving after graduation and attending a different high school. I asked how he felt about that and he said, "I'm excited." "You are?" "Yeah, cuz there'll be more girls!" I laughed and said, "Of course!" b/c that's the same ol' DA I know.

As for CV, he's still holding it over my head that I "left" them with the "crazy speech lady." Everytime I see him, he sizes me up and gives me a hard time about that no matter how often I tell him that I didn't want to leave.

I know it's corny, but it really makes me sad when my old kiddos will act like they don't know me and walk right past me. On the flipside, it makes my day when they actually greet me. Talk about detachment issues!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

How Do We Look?

Lately, I've received a lot of comments like, "You look married!" It's been funny trying to figure out what it means. Today, the SDC-teacher-friend who has been married for ~8 years asked, "How does it feel to be married? Does it feel the same?"

Truth be told, I didn't know what to expect post-marriage since Hubby and I have been together for 7 years and living together for 6 before tying the knot. I guess I didn't expect it to change much since we've already worked out the idiosyncrasies and been through the highs and lows together that have culminated into a stable, secure relationship...But somehow, it feels different.

So I said in response, "I love being married! It feels different though... I really don't know how to explain it, but it feels different --- in a good way."

My teacher friend said, "It's love."

:)

Monday, April 20, 2009

Senioritis

Husband recently "diagnosed" me with senioritis again. On Saturday, we visited Bro's. As Bro and Husband started building a grill that us newlyweds gave as a "thank you for being the best brothers(-in-law)" gift, FBIL and I went to the market to pick up some fixin's for the new grill. When we got back, their neighbor was with them, and I asked her how school was going. We got to talking about graduate school and then Husband contributed with, "Yeah, she always gets senioritis in the last stretch."

Last night, I totally didn't want to work on reports and IEPs. Husband said, "You totally have senioritis." He's probably right. It's the last stretch of time before I'm done with this assignment...and even though almost all of the tough cases have past, I'm finding it so hard to stay amped for the final run.

I think it's totally psychological though. I.e., this morning, I went to my SDC-Autism site because we had an IEP. The teacher totally blanked on the IEP meeting so during the half hour before, I helped him by cranking out 3 academic goals and finishing both of mine. Okay, so why is it so hard for me to come up with goals for my own kids?? I've been sitting here for like an hour, fretting over what to propose.

Actually, I realized what the problem is with this case. I really don't know the student and how high-profile the case is. It's the unknown that makes this assignment so difficult. For this case, I didn't get enough time to assess the kid who is attending a private school, so the goals that I propose really put my professional assessment skills to the test. Ugh. I'm too tired and lazy to put my skills to the test....senioritis.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Introducing Myself: The New Mrs.!

On Sunday, April 5, 2009, H2B and I tied the knot!

I am still in wedding bliss and getting giddy whenever I refer to H2B as "my husband." I've been practicing and calling him "husband" when I'm talking to him, too (b/c I'm dorky like that!). I still get teary-eyed thinking about our special day. Our Best Man said, "you guys even act like a married couple." Not sure what that meant, but somehow, we took it as a compliment.

Happy one-week (and a day) anniversary to us!

More detailed posts with pictures to come! :)