Children's Medical Center

So...I have had several (unanswered) questions regarding the new gig for me, so inevitably it is time to address. I wasn't trying to keep it a secret, or be incognito...I was definitely a little nervous, unsure if I was really going to do it or it was really going to happen. But alas, I have re-entered the working world and so far-really couldn't be happier with the outcome.

I had been looking for awhile...long before my notice was given and really wasn't haven't much luck. I didn't like what was out there, nothing was part-time, and we will just ignore the black cloud of our economy to focus on the facts as they are relevant to me (even though the poor economy=cuts in school districts=several behavior analysts looking elsewhere as the behavior specialists positions are cut within districts=a lot more behavior analysts in the job market=you better be good if you want the job because for once there is a little competition for the 'good' jobs in behavior analysis). So I applied a little bit, interviewed a little bit, liked nothing and then applied for a position that I was blatantly over-qualified for. Why? Because, I truly believe in the purpose of the program, love the work you are able to do with it, and saw potential for growth.

So I fought a little, they fought a little and....I am the new behavior analyst for Children's Medical Center Autism Intensive Outpatient program. I am joining the other (1) behavior analyst there who is actually a buddy from graduate school. It is a program with one of my greatest passions as it relates to autism intervention...parent training. I tried several times to really get an exclusive parent training program going at the center but for whatever reason it never really took hold and this is essentially the same program. Plus, billing from a hospital setting and the added services we can bundle it is really just a great little program.

So with my addition, growth is now feasible for the program (which I obviously love). We are trying to get 'typical' ABA codes billed PLUS...wait for it...offering services to inpatient kiddos with autism (or any behavior disorder) to help their stay and procedures, etc. This I find really interesting; particularly, given our personal history. It is a chore all the same and we have our work cut out for us.

So there it is in a nutshell. The best part is it's kind of 'under the radar' as far as services at CMC which is fine by me. Because for me that equals, ridiculously reasonable case loads, time for yoga at lunch, time for research, time for all kinds of things that I just used to dream about being able to accomplish.

The drawback (and it's a big one) is it's full time; Monday-Friday. We had decided to keep the boys at their current school and hire a nanny which so far has worked really well. Just hard to not see them as much so rest assured....I am not blogging, I am not facebooking because I am enjoying my greatly reduced time with Thing 1 and Thing 2 (who also happen to be working really well too).

I guess the other issue is it's in Dallas...and yes, I consider it the 'bad' side of the metroplex. HOWEVER, the TRE that picks up downtown FW will drop you off at the CMC so I have zero complaints of now gaining 45 minutes of quiet time to read or what not on the way to and from work. It has been my haven and something I have now learned is an absolute necessity for my sanity. I get to decompress my day and be ready to go with those Greer boys as soon as I walk in the door. So after a few weeks of the train I don't think I can actually put it in the 'con' category.

So all and all-so far so good! I don't like to post much about work on the blog so that is probably the rest you will hear from me about it...hope it suffices!