Giving the Gift of Your Time

Giving someone the gift of your time is the most precious gift that you can ever give. I know from working in the field for many years, along with having a child of my own who has Autism, that this means so much to them. They get excited when they get positive attention from others and from those who genuinely want to be around them. Some of our kids may be non-verbal, limited verbally or very verbal. Regardless of their abilities, they know when someone is being genuine with them. They understand everything that goes on around them. They also develop attachments to people, just as we all do, that offer them a positive and a safe space for them to be themselves. If you ever have a chance to do so, volunteer for one of your local agencies and/or schools that serve individuals with developmental disabilities. You will be glad that you did. When I first got into the field, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. My mom actually suggested it to me. At that point, I did not have my son, so it was all new to me. I worked in the schools as a parapro, and I absolutely loved it. The students that I had were amazing. They taught me so much. Probably more than I ever taught them. They taught me to be a better person, to lead with a kind heart and to never judge a book by it's cover. I will always cherish my time at the schools. They opened up their hearts to me with absolutely no judgment, and I am so grateful to have had that experience for the time that I did.