Update
It seems things are starting to turn better this week. I'll be starting to work as a translator English <=> Hebrew, just as soon as I make all the arrangements to become a freelancer. It's not an engineer's salary but it's better than being unemployed. Besides, I love translating! And in a few months I'll be able to add web design to it, and so all my strengths and interests will become my job. My hubby is helping me with the financial/bureaucratic parts of it, so it frees me more or less to enjoy most of what I'm about to do.
Last week I took an intensive 4-day course in ABA method for autism. It's the method that works miracles on my son in particular, and many other children that I heard of as well, even to the point they are no longer considered on the autistic spectrum anymore with some cases. I have a test on Wednesday, after which I'll be considered a practical therapist so I could work with children under a Behavioral Analyst's guidance. First, I intend to apply that with my son. We are having much trouble finding him a therapist who has a car and can come here, so that is the simplest solution. And after a while, if I have the time, perhaps Tommy's analyst will let me work with more children.
So I have 3 future professions that I like, and I hope to find a balance between them to get me the most, of both satisfaction and money.
For months, we didn't know where Tommy will be next year in the special kindergarten. The place he visits this year, can't have him stay another year for stupid bureaucratic reasons. We tried to fight that but it was no use. We searched for a kindergarten for ages 3 and up that works with ABA method, because we know that he MUST have that, he'd be gone for if he didn't. We found out there are only 3 kindergartens working in this method in the whole area of center Israel, out of which two were out of the question for various reasons. The one that's left kept us on hold for months, telling us they are not sure if a new group for Tommy's age is going to open. I almost went mad with worry, but finally they decided to open and Tommy's in. Phew!