The beginning of a new work week...

Today was the beginning of week 3 of work at the Haven. I have worked in B. Weave’s feeding group, Kara’s toddler group and this week I am working with Dr. Tullos’s toddler and special needs group. Each group has it’s own advantages and has been very exciting. During the first few days we all did diagnostics and determined who would be in which group. The first week I was a part of the feeding class. We used different things to stimulate the babies into eating better. We sang songs, did stretches on each of the babies and just loved on them. The second week I was part of Kara’s group, which is for the older toddlers. These children enjoy running around and making you chase them! We sang more songs, read to them, and still loved on them. This week I am working with the younger toddlers and a child with cerebral palsy, Rita. During the morning we work with Kara’s group in Haven 2 and then have the younger toddlers in Haven 1. Today all the children were cranky because they had a big change this weekend--Haven 2 needs an estimated $10,000 worth of maintanence done and they had to move the children out of the house. The boys went to Eric’s house and the girls moved into Haven 3. Our groups may have started a little late today but it was because we had to chase down the kids in the different houses! After lunch our group had special group one-on-one time. Charissa had Kritz, Ashley had Jonathan, and I had Rita. Dr. Tullos stated that the last couple of weeks they have been trying to elicit any verbalization from her but they have not had any luck. I brought three toys, four books, and the knowledge of some kids songs because I knew that I was going to be bombarding her with language. During one of the books that I read, she maintained focus on the book the entire time, which Dr. Tullos said that she had not been maintaining for long periods before. So at the end of the session I read this book again and she maintained focus on it for the entire book again! It was a pretty good day.

Tonight has been a very relaxed night for all of us. We did not leave to go to the soccer football field tonight, nor did we go to the neighbor who sews for all of us, Mrs. Moono. We all stayed in the girl’s house (the Mann house) and played games. It is the last night of just this group. Tomorrow new people come, including the guys that will be making a documentary and Dr. Weaver’s daughter, Reagan, an OT. We are excited to have new people but will miss the Pharmacy group when they leave on Wednesday. We also realize that our time is winding down and in less than three weeks we will be home.

Much love to everyone,
Naiveen