Kira excelled academically and seemed to learn early on that the student's goal is not to merely memorize facts for a test, but to learn how to learn and assimilate that raw information into applicable knowledge and even wisdom. Kira continues to enjoy learning to this day whether it is swing dancing, philosophy, cooking, gardening, yoga, or programming her VCR, which incidentally, she still hasn't mastered. Now, with all the emphasis on didactic learning she imbibed recently in high school and college, Kira's personality has tended to lean toward the serious side. Projects such as term papers, assessment manuals and physiological psychology lab manuals require an analytical mind and a disciplined attitude. However, through opportunities such as attending Rotary Leadership Camp, volunteering for the Berks County Mental Health Association, working various unglamorous summer jobs, and traveling to Europe, Kira has learned the value of experiential learning and has become a devoted, and fortunately, less serious student of life.

Kira had all her life been drawn to the helping professions. At four years of age, medicine was her chosen profession and at sixteen the unconventional yet holistic approach to alternative medicine fascinated and inspired Kira. While attending Albright College, she first chose to major in Psychobiology with the goal of later pursuing a degree in Homeopathy or a similar alternative healing system. Kira found the biology classes interesting, but the rote memorization of RNA synthesis and fetal pig anatomy did not complement her learning style, so she switched her major to Psychology, a discipline that much better suited her personality and learning style. Kira consistently gravitated toward the humanistic and transpersonal theoretical orientations, specifically the writings of Maslow, Jung, Rank, and Wilber. For her senior seminar paper, Kira researched the topic of Posttraumatic Growth and through this research and additional readings developed a keen interest in any topic that explores psychological growth and human potential, particularly the emerging field of spiritual psychology. After graduation, Kira collaborated with a former classmate in a research project that explored topics in spiritual psychology.

It had never occurred to Kira that she would enjoy working with children since she always envisioned herself working with adults, whom she falsely assumed would have more insight into their life's challenges. However, she welcomed the challenge when she got the opportunity to intern in an autistic support classroom in a junior high school. Kira found in the course of that semester that she not only enjoyed working with children and adolescents but that she also had a natural talent for teaching despite not having taken any formal education classes. Kira was again playing "school" eighteen years later but humbly found that she learned more from the students than they from her. Additionally, Kira was humbled to learn that adolescents with special needs often have a great deal of insight into their unique challenges.

Hoorah!! Kira finally matriculated and became gainfully employed! She entered her first job with energy, enthusiasm, and as is not uncommon for college graduates her age, a little idealism. Kira accepted a position with the wraparound agency New Hope of Pennsylvania, formerly Human Services Consultants Management, Inc., and began implementing discrete trial curriculums for young children (ages four through eight) diagnosed with autism. Kira also assisted children in reaching their treatment goals in the school setting by facilitating social interaction, encouraging social language, and intervening when necessary in response to noncompliant behaviors.

During her employment at New Hope, Kira received trainings in Applied Behavioral Analysis, psychotropic medications, protective immobilization, crisis intervention, and developing behavioral support plans. She also had the opportunity to attend the Autism Conference sponsored by the Berks County Chapter of the Autism Society of America. Kira enjoyed working as part of an extensive team that included parents, speech therapists, occupational therapists, autistic support teachers, psychiatrists, psychologists, behavioral specialists, and consultants trained in discrete trial…quite a rich learning experience. The most fun aspect about working with children for Kira, though, was her ability to use her creativity and imagination, normally reserved for writing poetry, to teach life skills, play skills and social skills. Kira enjoyed playing duck-duck-goose, hide-and-go-seek, "restaurant," "book store," and Hi-Ho Cherry-O as much as the children did. She most definitely was able to shed the serious side of her personality that was so dominant in high school and college.

She then went on to work with high functioning adults with developmental disabilities and mental health issues in an adult partial hospital program of a community mental health agency. As a group therapist at Human Services, Kira gained much case management experience as well as group therapy experience. She coordinated with treatment team members to ensure continuity of care and provided advocacy services as needed. In group, Kira facilitated social skills and life skills activities and educated clients about their symptoms and treatment. Kira enjoyed working with clients to help them set and pursue treatment goals. As part of a treatment team she helped facilitate psychiatric stability, social skills training, life skills training, and the pursuit of occupational skills.

In hindsight, Kira was glad she decided to abandon study of fetal pig anatomy in favor of sociology, assessment, and theories of personality, because now that her career was underway, she was thrilled to watch individuals with various challenges develop, learn, and grow into their fuller potential. Progress could be slow, and regression was par for the course when working with individuals with developmental disabilities, but observing their overall progress was richly rewarding.

Kira continued to work with special needs children after venturing south of the Mason-Dixon Line to be with the love of her life. Now Kira is a part time autism therapist and a part time writer in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She is currently waiting to hear from two publishers regarding two children's book submissions while working on a poetry compilation titled Songs from the Healing Journey. Kira still displays a wide-eyed curiosity when looking out on the world in general and the field of psychology in particular. The fields of autism and creative writing provide many opportunities to serve others, grow professionally, and use her creative talents. We wish her lots of luck and a safe journey.