I am a very energetic, fun, silly, outgoing, outdoorsy, kind, athletic, and caring person. I absolutely love kids, I hope to have a bunch of my own someday. Kids have always been very drawn to me because of how fun and caring I am. I am currently studying art with plans to become an early ed. art teacher! I have been responsible for watching over different groups of children since I was 8 years old. For about five years I was responsible for providing care for two brothers; a 5-year-old and 9-year-old boy who has highly functioning autism (summer 2010, full-time). I learned how to handle intense, emotional and very difficult situations involving kids. This experience taught me how to communicate effectively and patiently with kids with special needs. I also spent a couple of summers as a counselor in training at Montgomery County Recreation Center working and playing with kids ages 4-13. One of those summers I was a companion for an 8-year-old boy with Autism where I payed special attention to his needs and made sure he was comfortable and understood all of the different activities throughout the day. I am very comfortable around children with special needs or children who are handicapped. My older sister has cerebral palsy so I grew up in a loving, caring and accommodating household for her. I understand that their needs are always first and that you always have to make sure that whatever you are doing you have to take their accommodations into consideration first. I also have a family friend who is a 20-year-old boy with down syndrome and we get along very well. I spend time just hanging out with him or going to his softball games. I know it takes a lot of patience and understanding to work with handicapped or disabled children. I like the challenge of helping them and getting them to feel comfortable around me and to see me as a friend. In a household where we always made sure her needs were met and I understand that some people need different accommodations in different situations. I am also the primary caregiver for nine other children ages none months to 12 years old. Some of the activities I have planned for them are hiking, swimming, arts and crafts, baking, trips to museums or parks, outdoor play, and I enjoy teaching them gymnastics. Also, I am currently working on becoming CPR certified.