Should I take the volunteering position at an autism summer camp?
I had an interview at a volunteering centre and I was offered a position at an autism summer camp, I have no prior experience working with children but I am a unversity student planning to continue my education in the field of healthcare, should I take this position? Will it be helpful for me in applying to professional healthcare programs like physical therapy?
I am part of a summer day camp for kids with autism.
If it is a decent program then as a volunteer you will assist with corralling the kids and not be just left alone with them. (Many times these kids like to run and extra people are needed to chase them down)
Anyway yes it would be a great experience for fields such as Physical Therapy. Our PT’s work in the camp with us and help plan activities to work on gross motor skills.
Also you can learn more about autism and the methods used for sensory issues, communication ect.
If you are quick to anger then no don’t do it.
You need patience and understanding.
The kind of patience where when one hauls off and smacks you or has a complete meltdown you need to stay calm.
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Go for it.
References :
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:36 pm
It might be jumping straight in the deep end if you haven’t done anything like that before. Yes if it was successful it would look good on the old cv but if it goes the other way it might put you off for life. I’ve worked with children for 12 years now mainly mainstream but some special needs too including autism and I could not and would not take that position. I take it by summer camp that it would be a 24/7 thing, I’m worried it might be a bit too much for your first experience with no being able to go home and de-stress. Of course you might be a natural but you might be biting off more than you can chew. Start of with small bites lol.
References :
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I am part of a summer day camp for kids with autism.
If it is a decent program then as a volunteer you will assist with corralling the kids and not be just left alone with them. (Many times these kids like to run and extra people are needed to chase them down)
Anyway yes it would be a great experience for fields such as Physical Therapy. Our PT’s work in the camp with us and help plan activities to work on gross motor skills.
Also you can learn more about autism and the methods used for sensory issues, communication ect.
If you are quick to anger then no don’t do it.
You need patience and understanding.
The kind of patience where when one hauls off and smacks you or has a complete meltdown you need to stay calm.
References :
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:59 pm
ONly if you are a patient person by nature. If so then by all means, autistic kids need a little more time, but they also need firm rules… it might take you four times as long to teach an autistic kid what behaviours are accetable and which not…
References :
March 2nd, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I would take the positon. It will teach you a lot about children with autism and how they are. If you then go on to be a physical therapist then you will know some of what to expect if you have a child with autism in physical therapy. I also think you will learn things from them that you would have never imagined. Children with autism are very special and unique in their very own way. Good luck.
References :
mom of child with autism.