Research Topic Blog

     This blog is about my topic of research for the final exam. I have to write about my career choice for the final exam; which will help me have a better understanding of this occupation. People always ask others what they want to be when they grow up.  I never could decide and now at the age of 31, I finally decided to go back to school and make that big decision.  I decided to be a Physical Therapist Assistant.  I chose this career for many reasons. First, I chose this path for the money.  I need to be able to feel like I contribute to my family.  I guess any career choice would have helped out in the monetary part, but I felt that this career fit our needs with the amount of time I would spend achieving it.  The second reason I decided on the career is because I have an interest in the field.  I felt that if I was going to spend a lot of my time doing one thing, I should enjoy it a little too.  I spent many hours observing a PTA, and discovered this would be a good fit.  My daughter received Physical Therapy, and this spiked my interest a lot more.

     I started my research by summarizing my resources.  My most important resources are the actual PTA's at the rehabilitation center where my daughter and son receive treatment.  The ladies there have been so helpful and informative.  Their kindness, understanding, and support helped me finally decide to go back to school and choose the physical therapy field.


http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/p/pt_asst.htm

    

Understanding Developmental Delay

About a year ago, my eyes were opened to many new issues that could go wrong with children. I was completely oblivious to many of them. Around the same time we were hit with the many issues in health that my daughter Olivia had, I started to notice little things that were different about my son Alexander who was 18 months old. He didn't speak yet, didn't make eye contact, and had many repetative routines. Of course I was comparing him to how my 8 year old was at that age and also many other toddlers. Then there was the online timelines of what and where your child should be with development. Lastly there was the doctors questions about his speech and other development. All of these events made me realize that something was just not right. I started to research online and ask other parents, and my family for suggestions.  Around the same time Alexanders doctor perscribed him Occupational and Speech Thereapy.  My daughter was currently going to Physical Therapy so we spent hours every week at therapy for the two of them.  Alexander had many tests at therapy to see what age he was at for development. They also asked a million and one questions about how he does EVERYTHING.  The conclusion was that he defiantly needed therapy and they continue to work with him today.

     After Alexander was in therapy for awhile and it was suggested that he might be autistic, I started to do more research.  I was determined to have the best help he could receive. I contacted the school district and applied for an Early On Program for developmental delayed children.  After Tests done by the school district the coordinator arrived at our home a few days ago with the results.  Alexander is 30 months old now and, mostly scored in the 13-15 month range. He is approved for the program!  I'm glad that he can receive more assistance, but at the same time this is very emotional to hear that he scored at that level.  The next step is a meeting at the GISD for and IEP.  I know very confusing!

    Alexander was also tested at the GISD (Genesee Intermediate School District).  They will have their results on the 13th of October.  When they give you the results they call the meeting an IEP (Individualized Education Plan).  At this meeting we will find out if he is approved for a school based program. Can you imagine sending your two year old to school? This thought stresses me out, but I know that it could be the best help there is.  They will also be able to tell us if Alexander is on the spectrum. This is a rainbow spectrum of autism.  They call it that because there are so many different ranges and areas of autism. Every child is different.  This whole process is exhausting , and I wish that no one else had to go through it.  As we wait for the IEP meeting, we are open to any suggestions or support. 

    It feels really good to write out my feelings on this subject.  Thanks for listening! I mean reading.


http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CEAQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autism-society.org%2Fsite%2FPageServer%3Fpagename%3Dlife_lifespan_early&ei=SRemTPenKYzanAeN_diPAQ&usg=AFQjCNEz-RssMve_MzivmyAVfi-O-VM_hw