Kayla Gunn was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome when she was six years old. Later on, she was diagnosed on the spectrum when Asperger’s Syndrome became part of the spectrum. She struggled with getting the resources she needed growing up. Now Kayla likes to provide those same resources to other people. Kayla is a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and enjoys working with the kids at Camp Woodchuck.
Kayla has an associates degree in Special Education and she is working on her masters degree in Education, along with a degree in Psychology online through Grand Canyon University. “I have a brother who has been diagnosed with Autism,” said Kayla. “So, I grew up around therapy sessions with him, as well as myself.” Kayla lives with her brother and takes care of him. She has also been working as a paraprofessional in the school setting for three years; this will be her fourth year.”
This is Kayla’s first year at Camp Woodchuck. “Building relationships with some of the kids that don’t really build a lot of relationships with other people, and being able to connect with the kids on a different level than other people has been my biggest achievement,” said Kayla. Kayla’s favorite kid to work with at Camp Woodchuck is Matthew. “Matthew is a really sweet kid. He and I really like to swing; it is one of his favorite hobbies.”
Every day at Camp, Kayla clocks in, and goes to her assigned room. “We learn who we are going to have in the morning and afternoon, and if we are going to go on any trips,” Kayla said. The kids show up, eat breakfast, hang out, watch movies and go outside. If they have any field trips, the kids go in the morning. After that, the kids eat lunch and have rest/movie time, snacks, and then more hang out time until parents pick up. “Kayla has been a great addition to our Camp Woodchuck family,” says Tiffany Graf, the Family Support Services Coordinator. “She is always willing to go to any room to work with kids, and enjoys being here to experience Camp with us.”
“My favorite part of being a DSP is meeting a bunch of different kids who have different needs,” said Kayla. “I also enjoy learning new things and working with kids with different needs like G-tubes, and wheelchairs. It’s truly cool getting to see all of their unique personalities.” Some of Kayla’s favorite memories of working at Rainbows is going to Club Rodeo with a kid named Johnathan. “He got to dance a whole bunch, and I got to see him spin really fast,” Kayla said. “Plus, I got to eat really good food! I love meeting new workers who work here and building new relationships with them also.”
Kayla grew up with her grandfather, instead of her parents. “Having an untraditional family life has helped me a lot,” Kayla said. “I’ve been through a lot of therapies, special needs programs and gifted programs, so I know what it is like to rely on companies like Rainbows to give you the support you need. It is really nice to know that there are companies like this to help people who need it the most, and how families don’t have to worry about funding, because they have donors, and people who give back to allow families to take a breath of relief to know their kids are in good hands.”
Written by Megan Bailey, Volunteer Writer
