January 3, 2006

What: Website Building
When: 11:30-12:30

What I did: I finished working out the administrator password interface, which I designed myself; and I also began to work on the general layout of the administrator interface. I decided to use two secure features - one, the password interface, and two, randomly generated page names to prevent people from guessing, because the 'inside' pages are not protected like the interface page. I ended up writing the password script myself because I couldn't find any that seemed appropriate - they were all too complex for what I needed.

What: Music Therapy
When: 1-3:30
Where: Barclay, Ginther Schools

Ketchel - We made out a schedule - he wasn't that good, but he wasn't horrible either. He was wired from vacation. After we made out the schedule, we followed it - we drew pictures of Ketchel and things he wanted, and then sang about it. This worked on his communication and focusing skills.

Adam - Adam is so adorable! We played teacher-student today, getting him to read and identify simple words, such as "With" "Sit" "One" "Won" "This" "That" etc, as well as numbers. We shut the lights off at the end and sang about what we did for Christmas.

Aidan - We worked on speech with him, and focusing. The aide's new idea for getting him to remove his fingers from his mouth is, everytime that he does it, remove his fingers and rub them on a velcro patch on the weighted vest that he wears. At least then he will associate that with whatever feeling causes him to suck on his fingers, which is less abrasive.

Evan - We worked on rhythms again with him, he was doing better today, he actually stayed focused and attentive through most of it instead of trying to change the subject

I never realized until I worked with these kids how we're not really that different. When you feel challenged or in trouble, you try to avoid the topic because it makes you feel nervous. Evan and Adam both today showed that characteristic; I see many teenagers also doing that. I also see how "Group dynamics" fall into place - you sit where you feel comfortable. It shows in small children, and it shows in larger ones. Take a look at our classroom. We all sit in the same spots. And finally, everyone has a nervous habit. Evan's is covering his face. Adam is looking away, shyly. Ketchel's is saying "No!" repetitively. Aidan's is sucking on his fingers. I chew on my nails, although that's partly out of boredom...

that's all for now, folks :-)