After Jon graduated from high school he was ready to enter the day program. He had been going there once a week for some time with an EA from the school so that he could adjust to the new environment. He was hestitant to become involved. His first 'job' was to help make plastic flowers. Jon was not impressed and everyone around him found that out very quickly. They came up with different 'jobs' for him and some worked okay. Some of the jobs were recycling and paper shredding. I think that for Jon there was just too much extra sensory overload for him at this day program as there were many clients in the same building and the noise disturbed him. He seemed to like it best when he had something to do outside or was taken out for drives in the country. Staff had to find ways to keep him busy and entertained and they did a wonderful job. One staff used to put items in the trunk of her car that she knew Jon liked and would let Jon rummage around in there and take what he wanted. Jon enjoyed many outings..swimming, going to the snake pits, the planetarium, amusement parks, the zoo, bowling, movies, visits to parks and lakes and many others. Jon was in this program for a number of years before it was decided that he would do better with his own program managed from his home.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Day Program
After Jon graduated from high school he was ready to enter the day program. He had been going there once a week for some time with an EA from the school so that he could adjust to the new environment. He was hestitant to become involved. His first 'job' was to help make plastic flowers. Jon was not impressed and everyone around him found that out very quickly. They came up with different 'jobs' for him and some worked okay. Some of the jobs were recycling and paper shredding. I think that for Jon there was just too much extra sensory overload for him at this day program as there were many clients in the same building and the noise disturbed him. He seemed to like it best when he had something to do outside or was taken out for drives in the country. Staff had to find ways to keep him busy and entertained and they did a wonderful job. One staff used to put items in the trunk of her car that she knew Jon liked and would let Jon rummage around in there and take what he wanted. Jon enjoyed many outings..swimming, going to the snake pits, the planetarium, amusement parks, the zoo, bowling, movies, visits to parks and lakes and many others. Jon was in this program for a number of years before it was decided that he would do better with his own program managed from his home.
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That's so great that the staff member would make that effort for Jon in the trunk of her car. I remember loving to rummage at my grandfathers work bench...
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking how wonderful for him to have this day program. I would give you a bit of time to recuperate. Did you then have to develop your own day program? That would be time consuming and I'm sure very hard to manage at times.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Marg, we didn't have to develope this day program but our input was appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have staff take a personal interest in Jon. I'm sure there have been others like that along the way!
ReplyDeleteI love that my brother Jonathan has such an adventure type spirit. His love of the snake pits is pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteWe all need people in our lives who 'get' us and know our likes and dislikes. Sounds like Jon has had some great people in his life.
ReplyDeleteIt was so fun reading all the things that Jon has enjoyed over the years. It is so wonderful to know that there is such good care out there.
ReplyDeleteI'm so thankful you had a 'team' of people on your side .. helping you... even though they were learning with you what would work and what wouldn't.
ReplyDeleteI's glad too that it was possible to have what Jon needed... a place of his own!
I so appreciate you sharing your journey with Jon. What a 'special' journey it has been/is.
I know God has guided every step.
I love the 'trunk' lady...what a great idea. I can't imagine how hard it would be for Jon in a loud environment, sensory overload is an understatement in a room full of busy bees.
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