What an eye-opening experience this has been... moving from a metropolitan area to a small town / rural part of the state. I have worked for several years providing Occupational Therapy services for children on the ASD spectrum. This is my passion... to see these great kids and young adults reach their full potential. I have been part of a transdisciplinary team that includes amazing professionals who have mentored me every step of the way.
But, here I am in a small town that has very little experience serving children with Autism. School districts don't have the funds that were available in my previous district and therapists are mostly contracted in through a for-profit company. Team meetings generally are non-existent and therapists are stretched way too thin. The needs are great, and I know I have something to offer... I just don't know how.
Do I "sell my soul" to the for-profit organization knowing full well they will not allow me to do the job I know needs to be done? Do I take a job as an aide, hoping to at least make a difference in the life of one child (barely making enough money to pay for gas into work)? I have found work here and there and am currently driving an hour and a half each way one day a week to work in a school district's ASD preschool. But I know I could be doing more in my local area.
Thank you for bravely
Thank you for bravely blogging! I see your dilemma. Always keep in mind that you, just like us parents of ASD kids, need to take care of yourself. This can encompass a lot of things--needing to manage stress and stay healthy, having health insurance, planning for retirement, and earning money to provide for you and your family, and yes, being true to your ideals and conscience. Okay, here's some more cliche advice: Seek balance! What I mean is, if it isn't against your contract (or if you want to redefine your work as "respite"), you could maybe take some private clients in addition to working for a soulless company. Private clients might even pay more than the soulless company. And don't think that you would only be helping rich people--very few parents are "rich parents"--the truth is that most of us parents who seem "rich" are going into debt left and right and liquidating future assets to get help for their ASD kids. So maybe you could help a parent by slowing down their descent into debt :) You could also help folks by hiring out as an advocate (eventually). You could provide independent OT assessments which could help parents/kids with insurance companies and at IEP meetings. Even just your sharing your inner conflict here on this blog is helping parents (me).