My name is Samantha Neirynck, and I am very excited for this class! I am from Shelby Township, Michigan, but part of me will always be in East Lansing. I have a diverse background in both working and volunteering with children and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. For the past 8 years, I have volunteered or worked with ASD children as a student mentor, a tutor, a swim coach/instructor, and most recently as a substitute teacher and speech language pathologist assistant. Since the diagnosis of a close family friend’s child when I was young, I have come to realize my passion for working with children on the autism spectrum. I am very open-minded and accepting by nature, which has motivated me to become a speech-language pathologist, and to specialize in working with clients and students diagnosed with ASD. I am currently working as a speech-language pathologist assistant and substitute teacher at Bemis Junior High, in Utica Community Schools, and absolutely love the experience that I am getting. As of last semester, I am halfway done with the Option C Autism endorsement program at Oakland University. I am finishing this program in two semesters, so I can begin my Master’s program for SLP starting next Fall! I hope to learn a lot from this class, including of assessment procedures and resources to carry over into my future career in speech pathology. This is vital in determining a student’s needs in a variety of areas, will in turn benefit students and families, as I could help determine the best resources and interventions for the child. I also aim to gather resources for myself and for future clients. There is so much out there, and I would love to add resources and activities recommended by other professionals of a various career paths. Providing any resource with credentials to children and parents can have a variety of benefits. I have read several studies citing the benefits of at home “intervention”, which can include games and iPad apps, and just about anything to promote understanding for the individuals and their families.
The best piece of advice I would give anyone new to field of autism would be to remain open-minded, patient, and flexible. Every individual is unique, and may react differently to you. It is best to be accepting of the different behaviors, interests, and personalities that you will encounter. Lastly, I would advise that you open you mind when working each and every individual- you just may learn something for yourself!
The best piece of advice I would give anyone new to field of autism would be to remain open-minded, patient, and flexible. Every individual is unique, and may react differently to you. It is best to be accepting of the different behaviors, interests, and personalities that you will encounter. Lastly, I would advise that you open you mind when working each and every individual- you just may learn something for yourself!