I have worked as a behavioral health professional for about six months now and my clients have just become an important part of my life. And I love my clients and their families as if they were my own.
To me being someone who works with kids with autism is both super challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Recently I was at the park with a client and had such an eye-opening experience. We met this family, a father and his son with autism along with his other children, and the kiddos talked while the father asked me questions such as where I work and whatnot. He told me about some experiences he has had with his son along with his son's worker.
After about 15 minutes the kids were done interacting and we started to do our own thing. The family was getting ready to leave a while when the dad came up to me with the biggest smile on his face and said,
"Can I please give you a hug? I know you probably never hear this but it takes a special type of person to do this job and a lot of people just don't get it. I am so happy that you're doing this and can't thank you enough."
As he gave me one of the biggest hugs I've ever had.
At this moment in time, it occurred to me that I am actually making a difference in so many people's lives. Not only is my daily shifting advancing the independence of my clients, teaching them new things. It is helping their families, learn about their children, even just make their day a little bit easier.
The little things like helping with homework, going to the park or eat a meal make their days just a little bit easier.
I know that the families of the clients I take care of are incredibly thankful for the work that we do every day with their clients even if they don't say it all the time. They treat me as if I am their family. One of my clients' parents knew I had a giant test a week ago and the day of the test, I got to work and the first thing she did was ask about how it went.
They care.
From one BHP to another, and from a BHP to just everyone, you're making a difference whether you realize it or not. Even the smallest acts are highly appreciated whether it is known to you or not. Keep doing what you're doing, keep making the lives around you easier because it will make you feel so much better.