Where are you from and where do you currently live and work?
Hi, my name is Audrey Pierce-Seeley and I was born and raised in Billings, Montana. I now live in Missoula, Montana and offer the P.L.A.Y. Project intervention along with other services for children and families with autism for Easter Seals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain.
How long have you been working with children [on the spectrum]?
Prior to coming to Easter Seals-Goodwill I was a Family Support Specialist for an early intervention agency and a Special Ed preschool teacher serving a variety of children with special needs, a significant number of them with autism, for 14 years. I have been working specifically with families with children with autism for 5 ½ years. Wow that is almost 20 years…time does fly when you are having fun!
When did you become a PLAY Project Home Consultant and what drew you to The PLAY Project model?
When I was offered the position with Easter Seals-Goodwill and the P.L.A.Y. Consultant training I was thrilled because I have and always have had a special place in my heart not only for the children who struggle with the characteristics of autism, but for the parents who strive to understand their child as an individual and know in their hearts that they have so much to offer the world.
What do you like most about your work as a Home Consultant?
P.L.A.Y. combined my passion to work with parents while helping children with autism unmask their amazing personalities, joy and talents. I also love that it is a developmental framework that looks at the individual child.
What has been one of your most memorable moments as a Home Consultant?
I have had many memorable moments while working with families, but when a child utters their first meaningful word to a parent has to be one of the gems. I also love to hear from families that are down the road from their P.L.A.Y. experience and just want to brag about their child; being mainstreamed or talking their ears off or having best friends or playing a musical instrument or learning a second language or being at the top of their class in reading or math or science or all of the above.
What is one of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned as a Home Consultant?
P.L.A.Y. has taught me to look through the eyes of the “other person” whether it is my husband, or my children, or my grandchildren or my friends or family. We are all individuals who touch one another’s lives and have a choice for that “touch” to be a positive, supportive one.
What do you do for fun/what makes you smile?
Other things that make me smile are a good hike, an energetic walk with my dogs, hanging out with my children and grandchildren, traveling and enjoying lazy days without commitments!