When I meet a new family, I ask questions, a lot of questions. This is how I get to know my clients well and their families. I ask a lot about their child too, I need to know them really well.
Sometimes information about your child, that can be helpful to me is missed in the initial interview. For different reasons of course. You may not know that it will help, it may be behaviour, there are language barriers or the worst, parents are afraid I’ll get scared off and leave. Let’s just say now, that will never happen!
The best is when I am given false information. Again, this happens for many different reasons.
It always surprises me and sends me for a loop. Emotion high or low, everytime, depending on the surprise.
Talking is a big thing. About 80% of my clients are non-verbal. Which is great that I talk so much.They communicate in different ways. I am no stranger to Aumentative Communication (alternative ways to communicate).
I was supporting with a new client, who I was told is non-verbal. We got on the streetcar and I started pointing things out and saying them…he then (to my surprise) started mimicking me. Emotion high. Haha, I totally had a “you must love me to be talking for me” moment. Of course my initial reaction is a joke and super cocky.
I was happy he was talking and that we were friends. Not a big thing and it didn’t hinder safety, but I gave me a good laugh.
alwaysanadventure 