Blog

Our employees are the heart of the work we do at Spectrum. Without them, none of it would be possible! To share more about Spectrum and what makes us a family, we reached out to our employees to hear what the spirit of Spectrum means to them.

– Answered by Brianna Major –

What does Spectrum mean to you?

The Spirit of Spectrum is vibrant, consistent, and dependable. It encompasses an atmosphere of a family away from home and one of which puts a whole new meaning on “loving your job.” The Spectrum Spirit is inclusive of all people, backgrounds, and beliefs and from the moment you enter the doors you will feel welcome with open arms. If you are looking for a place where a smiling face is always nearby, a coworker feels like family, and unwavering support is never hard to find, look within the Spirit of Spectrum and I promise your heart will be as full as mine!

Tell us about a time you were inspired by a client

To pinpoint a single time my clients inspired me would be a significant challenge as everyday I enter their homes, I find new reasons why they always do. My clients truly are my world, and the joy and energy they have throughout session always pushes me to be a little better each day. I know that I serve as a backbone for my kiddos and whether they realize it or not they serve as mine too. While some days may be more challenging than others, my kids never truly give up on themselves and work hard to gain the knowledge and functional skills of their everyday lives. For that, I truly am inspired and am constantly reminded to also never give up on myself as no challenge is ever too big to tackle.

Tell us about a time when you truly felt like a member of the Spectrum Family

Although it may sound cliché, everyday I truly feel like a member of the Spectrum family. Whether it be through the acknowledgement and praise on scorecards, the vibrant and uplifting emails, or even a simple compliment when stopping by the office, I know that at work I have a true family. I not only am supported in my work performance but also in my personal life and individual goals. Spectrum has made sure to acknowledge and take interest in me as a person, and not just as an employee. To me, that is a true family.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

It’s not Verna’s first time in the Employee Spotlight but if you know her, you understand why that is. In her work as a clinical assistant, Verna is a shining example of the excellent standards we choose to uphold at Spectrum.

Verna has always had a strong passion to help others and maximize the individual potential of her clients. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine. She has experience working in the medical and human services fields. She has worked as a Registered Behavior Technician since 2015. 

She began her career providing one-on-one direct services to children on the spectrum in home, community and clinic settings in San Diego, California. Her family relocated to Virginia in 2017, where she continues her work as an RBT with Spectrum Autism Services. She is a military spouse and has vast experience working with and serving the military community.  

She cherishes each of her clients and their families and constantly seeks to make a meaningful, positive difference in their lives. Currently Verna is pursuing her Masters degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis.

We are grateful for Verna each day for her continual effort and impact on her clients! Thank you for all that you do!

Today is a day to show our appreciation and thanks for the dedicated fathers, especially those with children on the spectrum. Thank you for your patience, your commitment and your understanding; life would not be the same if not for all you do for us.

On this Father’s day, we wanted to share a heartwarming article published by author Ron Fournier about the lessons he learned being a father to a child with autism.

Click here to read the article.

“I love my son—not despite of his autism, but because of it. What makes Tyler and other people with Asperger’s syndrome unique also makes them a model for the rest of us. Their hyper-literal mind-sets make honesty as much a part of their nature as breathing. While he has a hard time expressing empathy, Tyler may be one of the most caring people I know.”

A reminder about all the fathers of children on the spectrum.

With Father’s Day quickly approaching, we’d like to pay tribute to all the amazing fathers of children on the spectrum. Their work is hardly ever forgotten but this week we want to show them a little extra appreciation for everything they do.

Today we want to showcase this touching article published by autismspeaks.org. Five amazing dads sharing their experiences raising children with autism and how it changed them as parents.

“On this Father’s Day, I would like to salute the dads who every day fight the good fight to make the lives of their children and other children, on the spectrum, the best they could possibly be.” – Jeff McCafferty

https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/happy-fathers-day-5-inspiring-messages-autism-dads-you