About Jose

It was a moment of great joy, excitement and insight. This boy could and did speak! I will never forget this day and how happy I felt to finally have a real connection with him.

I have worked for many years with children who are different, children with emotional problems, additional needs, developmental delays or autism. I taught these and typical children in an integrated class in a small school in rural Ireland. I often wondered how much children with speech and communication problems and emotional or social issues took in from the lessons. They seemed to be in their own world, often appearing anxious and worried. But this boy completely changed my outlook. By speaking one word, my name, I realized his potential. It felt as if a door was unlocked and we could move forwards. Our relationship changed and it was possible to teach this boy in a new way. He learned to read and to express himself in writing. And he turned out to be a genius in mathematics and science. But most importantly he was a happier person.

This experience caused me to change my career. I studied psychology, play therapy and autism and am now happily working as a play therapist, improving relationships and connections through play. So that children with difficulties can make steps, one at the time, to overcome their difficulties and relate well again to people and the world around them, and are happy and confident.