Re: starting volunteers in the playroom

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Posted By ---> A Son-Rise Message Board Participant on May 22, 2000 at 18:53:37:

In Reply to: starting volunteers in the playroom posted by Lynn on May 22, 2000 at 10:02:08:

: We are in the process of meeting and interviewing our first perspective volunteers this week. I am wondering how things will go when its time for them to actually be in the playroom with my son. (Almost 4: autistic diagnosis) I know from my start-up notes that you have new volunteers spend 15 minutes in the playroom to start and then train them for 30 minutes or so. Do you spend time with them in the playroom to start and withdraw as your child feels comfortable? These are people that my son has had no prior contact with. I would appreciate any shared experiences of how others have started their volunteers in the room.

I have had wonderful advice from Jonathan A. (son-rise staff) on this subject! We have the volunteer watch my ( I am Mom) session for around 30 minutes. Then I invite them to watch transitions or small bits of other team members sessions. On the volunteer's first day in the room ( for 20 minutes approx.) their direction is to sit in the corner and fall in love with my daughter- just love her!!! Of course if she approaches them they can smile, say Hi etc. but this really reinforces the basic principle of LOVING. So many new people get focused on the skills and forget the attitude and intention behind them- this has been a wonderful way to show the team from Day1 that the Love takes priority. Then I have them Join me ( not my daughter) for the next session...I join her , they follow me and after we discuss what this feels like. Then when a comfort level is reached for the volunteer and child I leave them alone for 15 minutes and gradually extend this. Hope this is helpful!Love-Tammy

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---> Name:
Subject: Re: Re: starting volunteers in the playroom

Comments:: : We are in the process of meeting and interviewing our first perspective volunteers this week. I am wondering how things will go when its time for them to actually be in the playroom with my son. (Almost 4: autistic diagnosis) I know from my start-up notes that you have new volunteers spend 15 minutes in the playroom to start and then train them for 30 minutes or so. Do you spend time with them in the playroom to start and withdraw as your child feels comfortable? These are people that my son has had no prior contact with. I would appreciate any shared experiences of how others have started their volunteers in the room. : I have had wonderful advice from Jonathan A. (son-rise staff) on this subject! We have the volunteer watch my ( I am Mom) session for around 30 minutes. Then I invite them to watch transitions or small bits of other team members sessions. On the volunteer's first day in the room ( for 20 minutes approx.) their direction is to sit in the corner and fall in love with my daughter- just love her!!! Of course if she approaches them they can smile, say Hi etc. but this really reinforces the basic principle of LOVING. So many new people get focused on the skills and forget the attitude and intention behind them- this has been a wonderful way to show the team from Day1 that the Love takes priority. Then I have them Join me ( not my daughter) for the next session...I join her , they follow me and after we discuss what this feels like. Then when a comfort level is reached for the volunteer and child I leave them alone for 15 minutes and gradually extend this. Hope this is helpful!Love-Tammy