Feelign guilty about getting paid?

[Ree Fresh]

Im starting another job working for a familey. They have a lill guy with Autism and my job would be to hang out and follow the program set up for him out in the comunity.
Today I went over for a couple of hours just to meet the lill guy and go over his history and basic needs. The father wanted to pay me $40 for the 2 hours! He asked if $20 an hour was ok as start pay? I get just a lill more in the schools... however this is a bit more laid back. I do feel I deserve it though with all my education and experince, however I feel kind fo guilty seeing the family spend so much money for something their son really needs.

[stringbeans]

it might sound like a lot but maybe 20/hr is lower than the normal rate?

either way, i think it's cool that you're doing stuff like this :)

[krisamata]

parents of kids who are mentally and physcially challenged have come to terms that care for their children can be quite expensive..

i dont think you should feel guilty at all...unless you're not doing your job properly...and you of all people would NEVER EVER do that.


im proud of you for being so caring..

[Hot Karl]

if ya feel really bad, just get them a xmas gift or something. or if you're not strapped for cash, donate a lil extra to autism research.

[krisamata]

^^^^ the donation thing is a fabulous idea

[Ree Fresh]

Originally Posted by Hot Karl

if ya feel really bad, just get them a xmas gift or something. or if you're not strapped for cash, donate a lil extra to autism research.

Totaly... I thought about a christmas gift, however Ive JUST met them. And then the lill guy's b-day is the day b4 I actualy start wroking with him.
But im sure will be going on lots of outings so I can buy him slurpee's, make pictures and do other thoguhtful fun stuff wtih him. I mean theres alot of prep work I can do too that I probly wont bother charging the familey for I guess?
But see thats the thing is it kind of turns into a charity job? I do this becuase I love it, however im working and deserve what ive educated myself to do :/

[~lazee_grrl~]

Originally Posted by stringbeans

it might sound like a lot but maybe 20/hr is lower than the normal rate?

it is about the normal rate i think..
and yeah..i'm sure u'll be doing a lot of things with this child without charging the parents..like toys and candy for reinforcements..and other things u mentioned..its your job..don't feel bad..don't forget that you are helping them already..=)

[veN]

Rhiannon, that is a good rate for doing one to one stuff (whether it's respite or community inclusion activites). Perhaps they have a grant that allows them to pay that much? Perhaps that includes expenses (your transport, etc)? Either way, that is a lot an hour to do something that u do bc u love it. I know I feel almost odd getting paid to work two times a week with the girl I support - I've worked with her for the last 7 years, so I know the family really well. It is nice though, that we do get paid, bc otherwise we wouldn't have time to do stuff like this in our spare time without pay, bc we would be too busy working to live. And u have a good point hun; We are well educated and well experienced to be supporting these kids, so the pay is appreciated as recognition of that. Some of it is a natural talent we are sharing, but some of it we had to work really hard for.

[mojo]

you only feel guilty because you enjoy it so much. and i am sure that is evident when you are with the child Rhia, so i am sure you deserve it. and like Nev said, you worked hard to get where you are, so dont feel bad.

good real karma for both of you ladies, you deserve it.

[mugsy]

my auntie requires around the clock watching, and i know when my grandparents were still alive, they received a small sum per month to help support her needs. since they have passed, she lives in a house with a wonderful family that take care of her. they recieve $2,000 a month to support her basic needs, which is more than enough.
the money they are paying you is completely reasonable. the fact you feel like it may be too much i think confirms that you are right for this kind of work. because thats exactly what it shouldnt feel like, work. money's kinda like a bonus, and can be a reminder on tougher days.

[veN]

Originally Posted by mojo

you only feel guilty because you enjoy it so much. and i am sure that is evident when you are with the child Rhia, so i am sure you deserve it. and like Nev said, you worked hard to get where you are, so dont feel bad.

good real karma for both of you ladies, you deserve it.

Thank you! :)

[Alex]

I worked as a community rehab worked for about 2 years... in alberta, and I didn't have any university degrees or anything(it's all privatised) Some days I felt quilty about getting paid, days I took the guys inner tubing, or for a bbq, etc... other days, days that felt like I was in hell... I not only didn't feel any guilt about getting paid, I felt like quitting because the money just wasn't worth it... it's a hard job at times, other times it doesn't feel like work at all... I ended up leaving the line of work for marketing though, ALOT easier, and ALOT less stressful... and WAY WAY WAY WAY more money.

[wum]

i heard it's possible for people to recover from their autism

[decypher]

Thats so cute that your feeling bad about taking money from the parents, that truly proves how great of a person you are. Think of it this way, you'll probably buy the kid snacks and slurpess and things as you hang out with him. It can be professional as well as personal. I'm sure the kid will charish your attention. Good luck.

[Ree Fresh]

Maybe im also nervice since its my first time working with a familey privatly. I know working in the schools I get some really easy days and then some days that really test my skills as Ill go home with a head ach. However its all under tax payer money :P
I think also getting paid this much makes you take the job alot more seriously, work alot harder as im doing my own resurch and readings.
I think I also got lucky with this familey. As ive hered from others somtimes you get parents who are far too demanding and penny pinchers.

[Ree Fresh]

ps: thanx guys :)

[Ree Fresh]

Originally Posted by wum

i heard it's possible for people to recover from their autism

Alot of ppl with autism need to learn alot of things we learn naturaly. Example the lill guy im working with doesnt understand fear, danger or pain. Same with alot of social skills such as greeting ppl, looking at them in the eye, taking turns talking etc. These are some of the things ill be wroking on and reminding him as we go do fun things :D

Some ppl with autism learn and pick these skills... therefore loosing alot of the "signs of autsim". It depends on what ASD level your at too. If your higher fuctioning then you have less to learn.

This is why so many parents were asking for the goverment to pay for all the therapists and ppl like me. Most kids ive seen with autism do get better and better with a good team working hard. Its sad they dont reconise this as a right to an education :(

[wum]

Originally Posted by wellbelove's

Alot of ppl with autism need to learn alot of things we learn naturaly. Example the lill guy im working with doesnt understand fear, danger or pain. Same with alot of social skills such as greeting ppl, looking at them in the eye, taking turns talking etc. These are some of the things ill be wroking on and reminding him as we go do fun things :D

Some ppl with autism learn and pick these skills... therefore loosing alot of the "signs of autsim". It depends on what ASD level your at too. If your higher fuctioning then you have less to learn.

This is why so many parents were asking for the goverment to pay for all the therapists and ppl like me. Most kids ive seen with autism do get better and better with a good team working hard. Its sad they dont reconise this as a right to an education :(

So that's when they don't have a firm grasp on their surroundings or something?

Anyway, a change in diet can make a difference:

"God then put the right people in our life, just when we needed them. Lisa Lewis, Ph.D., was one. She had recently created a web site about a milk-free, gluten-free diet. We started this diet, and saw good results. In fact, we probably could have dropped the autism label about six months into this diet, even though Maria still had occasional meltdowns and her eye contact was still poor."

http://hometown.aol.com/hopeforautism33/myhomepage/

[cubed]

PM frogprincess, she recently worked with an autistic boy for a couple of days a week. I'm sure she'll be able to tell you what the going rate it.

Don't ever feel like you're being "overpaid". You're services are valuable. You're providing this family with something they need, and can't easily get. You have every right to get paid what they're currently paying you. It's called making a living.

Diva under cubed's account.

[veN]

Originally Posted by wum

So that's when they don't have a firm grasp on their surroundings or something?

Anyway, a change in diet can make a difference:

"God then put the right people in our life, just when we needed them. Lisa Lewis, Ph.D., was one. She had recently created a web site about a milk-free, gluten-free diet. We started this diet, and saw good results. In fact, we probably could have dropped the autism label about six months into this diet, even though Maria still had occasional meltdowns and her eye contact was still poor."

http://hometown.aol.com/hopeforautism33/myhomepage/

I have seen milk-free, gluten-free diets be very effective in lowering challenging behaviour in children I have worked with. Sometimes it's not that easy tho. I understand you're not saying it's a cure-all type strategy, but I do know *many* children that only eat say 5 different foods and/or use food as a source of power, so modifying the diet of a child with will like that doesn't always work. But for the ones that I have seen using it successfully, u can sure tell the difference if they vary from it! Body-behavioural science is so interesting!