“I always heard that the story of SDSA and the environment was unmatched, but now I continue to experience that. I’m so proud and humbled to be a part of a place where you step into a building, and it feels like a home.”

Earlier this month, Kristina celebrated her second anniversary with SDSA! She and her service dog, Cupid, work in our elementary classroom. As an autistic adult, she brings unique skills to our team and unmatched compassion for our students. Below are Kristina’s reflections as she celebrates her second anniversary as a classroom therapist at SDSA.

How do you feel you have grown as a therapist since you started at SDSA two years ago?

“Since I started working at SDSA two years ago, I feel like I’ve grown as a therapist by watching others around me and pondering my sessions. I know I’ve learned more about prepping for the kids I will have in my sessions and what things can be there at my disposal for many different types of scenarios, including strengthening the hands before writing, having sensory activities for the eyes before a child reads, manipulative activities for calming, art for imagination, sound activities before working on vocals, etc. I’ve tried to really think about each child’s tolerance and what they struggle with so I can extend further help and understanding, helping students succeed in a healthy and safe way. I want my students to enjoy learning even more and make sure they know just how amazing they are all doing in sessions. Graphing data has also helped me see what things are working and find other unique options to try. I’m able to help calm down a child and help secure them quicker after behaviors so we can continue learning and playing. I have made activities for the kids, and I want to continue doing even more of them as I learn and think of other fun activities the kids can engage in during our sessions, promoting growth and smiles!”

What is your favorite part about working with our students? 

“My favorite part of working with the students is watching them bloom. It’s so exciting to see my kids meet a goal they’ve been working on, hear and see new things they are finding they like, and see their hidden talents coming to the surface! It’s great to find ways to help them overcome the difficult times, and when meltdowns do happen, seeing them calm down and find new therapeutic ways to do that is wonderful. I absolutely adore my students’ humor, loving nature, strengths and perspective, the fight within to keep growing, and their unique qualities and interests. In all the struggles we face, I know that all of these other things will come to light and be brighter. It makes it all worth it! They are special and help foster growth in me as well!

I have remembered many things in a session that I used to go through when I was younger, and it takes me back to also remembering what things helped me as a child with Autism and now as an adult; what helped in the moment and what I can try with the kids to see if it helps them as well. I’m so grateful I can connect with my kids on a level that others can just imagine. I’m reminded every moment of how to see, hear, and think more like they do in the moment. Being able to experience the moments with the kids and their perspective is so important, and I can work best from that. They also help me to remember and feel the joys and little blessings. Even the smallest things and sensory experiences all have a purpose. I see my kids enjoy something like sand or leaves, a certain sound or texture, something moving… and those are so important. I encourage all people to engage with their child and try to immerse themselves in whatever they’re fascinated by. It helps everyone to also slow down and gain more perspective. Not only do we work at school, but we also have fun and learn to love parts of our world even more. All my kids remind me that all the parts of our world available to our senses are so incredible. Our world is so complex, and we need to really appreciate each tiny part. This is also what my time with all the kids brings on a daily basis.”

What do you value most about your team and the culture here at SDSA?

“What I most value about working at SDSA is the teamwork and compassion. We each have our individual strengths and struggles. We can see different things in sessions or at other times throughout the day. When we come together and share our perspectives, it helps us all find new ways to do things as individuals and as a group to help the kids. The amount of love from everyone in every different role on our team is incredible. Even in difficult moments, each child is reminded and will see/hear we are trying to help them, feel love, and know we’re still rooting for them and happy when they are ready to continue on with their sessions and have calmed. Hard times happen, but we always get past them calmly and confidently, loving them through it. We all help each other. If one of us is struggling, we gain more patience, and when we are experiencing joy over something with our students, we are literally celebrating and jumping for joy together as a team. We are there for each other and support one another outside of work, too. How amazing is that?!

I love to get to know the students’ families and caregivers. It helps us all remember who loves these kids and how important their lives are. We are working on life skills so they can have the best experiences away from us as well. Hearing success stories and little but huge things from a family member or funny and adorable stories reminds us that everything we do matters. I learn as much from the kids as they learn from me. I’ll always hold the hopes and dreams of the family into my sessions, knowing each phase of their lives may change and bring on new goals and opportunities. I absolutely love the outside therapists that come in as well and what they can offer. Every single person can offer such valuable input.”

Is there anything else you’d like to share as you reflect on your anniversary?

“I can honestly say from my own experience and hearing others (and watching as a viewer) that no other place like St Dominics exists. We are like a close family. I always heard that the story of SDSA and the environment was unmatched, but now I continue to experience that. I’m so proud and humbled to be a part of a place where you step into a building, and it feels like a home. That’s not only for us as staff but for the kids. For me and my service dog Cupid to be able to be accepted, valued and given resources to help others really let’s me know the people at SDSA are very accepting and are willing to see what differences they can help bring to not only my life and future but others as well. Differences make us stronger, and diversity brings a new set of values that will go into effect. I’m forever grateful and I’m so excited to see what the next year and future holds at SDSA.”