When we were assigned to the adaptive intervention class, I thought, “Oh no…there’s no

way I can handle these kids.” However, this assignment has shifted my perspective on special
needs children. Having limited experience working with children, especially those with special
needs, I was unsure of my ability to engage with them effectively. This self-doubt weighed on
me, and I worried about whether I’d be able to communicate in a way that was both supportive
and meaningful. Luckily, my friends were supportive throughout the discussions and
implementation, and I enjoyed the whole experience with them.
Starting with my experience during the presentation day. The employer begins the
briefing with an overview of the center's responsibilities, vision, and mission. At the beginning
of the session, the employer provided a briefing on the role and impact of the center’s
multidisciplinary team, which includes occupational therapists, language therapists, counselors,
and clinical psychologists. Moreover, the employer emphasized the importance of viewing each
child as a whole person, not solely focusing on their developmental needs. This perspective
impacted me deeply; it reminded me of the stereotypes and prejudice the public has on these
groups of people, let alone children. The most common ideation were their impairments,
burdens, and peculiar behavior. As such, it serves as a reminder that we were all children once,
and each child deserves to be seen as an individual.
Initially, I felt a bit scared—not because of the children themselves, but because I lacked
much experience working directly with children, and I was uncertain about my own abilities.
However, the teachers helped guide and provide a supportive environment, which was reassuring
for me. With renewed resolve, I focused on having fun with the children and truly engaging with
them. As we began our activities, my initial nervousness faded, though I remained cautious about
my words and actions to ensure the children felt comfortable. The children’s enthusiasm was
heartwarming, especially when they explored the tactile box, designed like a McDonald’s
package. Although I couldn’t understand their excitement over the packaging, soon I realized
how familiar and joyful this simple design was for them. It was a reminder of how children find
delight in the small things.
However, not all moments were easy. At one point, I felt a sense of helplessness when
one child walked around and lay down with a weighted blanket, appearing disengaged from the
group. I hesitated to approach her because I was unsure if inviting her to join us might make her
uncomfortable. Ultimately, I was worried about her rejecting me so I kept myself away from
disrupting her sense of comfort. Thinking back now, I realize that I could improve by embracing
a more gentle approach. For example, I could have allow my partner to take over the current
activity and quietly inviting her by offering encouragement without pressuring her.
One activity that pleasantly surprised me involved digging pebbles from a
non-Newtonian fluid. Rather than using their hands as I’d expected, the children found their own
method by pouring out the solution—a clever approach that reflected their natural
problem-solving abilities. This moment showed me how they naturally found creative, effective
solutions to the task, demonstrating a resourcefulness I hadn’t anticipated. When it came time to
clean up, I was touched by the children’s willingness to help. Initially, I thought they might have
been interested in continuing to play with the pebbles, but they expressed an interest in cleaning
up with us. This moment stood out to me as a reminder of their capability and enthusiasm for
responsibility. As such, we made clean-up time more interactive by asking them to categorize the
pebbles by size or color. Their cooperation was a beautiful reminder of their capacity for
responsibility and engagement.
Overall, this experience was eye-opening. Interacting with the children allowed me to
understand more about their unique world and how they approach tasks and engage with their
environment differently than adults. Witnessing how they process and engage with activities
reminded me of the importance of being flexible, creative, and open-minded. However, there are
several improvements I would make in future interactions. One would be to carefully consider
the sensory aspects of the materials we use, ensuring that colors, designs, and textures are
stimulating but not overwhelming. I would also work on building my confidence in interacting
with children who might appear disengaged, understanding that sometimes they may need more
time or a gentle approach to feel comfortable. Additionally, I plan to sharpen my ability to read
non-verbal cues and adapt my approach based on each child’s comfort level, giving them space
to express themselves at their own pace.
In conclusion, this experience at Passion Hub was enlightening and enjoyable despite the
rough begining. It reminded me of the value of empathy, patience, and adaptability when
working with children. I am grateful for the opportunity to see the world through their eyes, and I
look forward to further refining my skills to create more meaningful and supportive interactions
in my future practices..