Thanks for the nice words but I'm just doing what I can do. There are some easier cases involving learning disabilities that I handle but I'm best at dealing with difficult children who are diagnosed with an emotional disturbance, although, over the last 5 years I've been getting a lot of students with autism spectrum disorder/developmental delays too because both populations benefit from very consistent and structured expectations/routines. Every year I dread going to camp but another strong staff member (a counselor) and I buddy up in a cabin and stack it with 20-25 difficult children and run it militantly and spend as much time as possible with the students. Where most staff will dine together at a table, we eat with the students so that we can continually prompt them on certain things (even basic table manners). Generally speaking, I can get these kids to do anything because of the relationship that is built but, after camp, it's noticeably stronger. It's a decent feather in my cap when a student won't budge for a principal, security officer or anyone else in the building but will immediately come with me when I ask nicely after putting in so much time.
I'm tired now and going to bed.
