Post 6

Jake Byma
Seasons Center
3/2-3/6
Hours: 6


1.  This week was a nice week because I got to do some observation actually.  One of the things that I noticed is that when I client comes in Trevor checks in with a parent to see if the child is on or off medication.  This changes what tests exactly he wants to do that day.  Certain tests don't matter as much.  Others, however, need the child to be completely off of medication to work the best.  This child that came in was on medication, something Trevor was hoping wouldn't happen.  He was hoping to do some different tests for me but had to switch it up and show me the tests I've already seen before.  The cool thing that happened, though, was Dr. Matthews joined us briefly to do the ADOS 2 test.  I had never seen this test performed and it was fascinating.  She does the test with Trevor in the room so that Trevor can sit in the back and take notes of virtually everything the client says.  It is a cool test because it does not have typical test format.  It is disguised in playing games and telling stories with a child.  The real test comes from the analysis of what the child says and what it means.  I really liked getting to observe that.  Tuesday was another scoring day.  I came in for a couple hours to score some things in the morning.  During class Trevor texted me to tell me I could come in a little later and cut out early because we're starting to get ahead of the curve now, something he is really grateful for. 
2.  I really liked this week even though it was a bit shorter on hours.  It was intriguing to see the ADOS 2 performed and may have started to push me more in a direction that I could see myself doing some of this in the future.  I also enjoyed seeing Trevor get excited to finally be ahead of the curve.  In the past he has mentioned how he has been putting in longer hours than he'd like and has to pick up slack because of the unique situation they are in staff-wise right now.  It is cool to make things better for them.  It has also been enjoyable to hear about his grad school search process and glean some tips from him.  We were talking and another worker told him to hush up about all the great grad schools out there in front of me because they didn't want to lose a possible future worker.  I know she was joking but it makes me wonder if maybe they would think about hiring me after graduation. 
3.  The only real problem I have is seeing the same tests over and over during observation.  It would be nice to observe something different but I can only see what they have available.  It was nice to see the ADOS 2. 
4.  How does everyone else feel like they fit in where they work?