Alexandra Williamson

Responsibilities

During my internship I also worked here full time, so I had the privilege of having work and responsibilities other interns may not get. I was a Behavioral Technician. My responsibilities started out getting trained on clients, and doing online training. Then my responsibilities included working with clients on ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) therapy programs and doing cleaning tasks around the clinic. We follow programs set up and designed specifically for each client by the BCBAs (Board Certified Behavioral Analyst). We do one-on-one interventions to help with social, imitation, communication, and daily living skills and take data on the session and programs. The data we collect then goes to the BCBAs to make adjustments to the programs or to add new ones. Some cleaning tasks around the clinic include helping each other clean up session rooms or toys, cleaning the kitchen, organization of materials or toys, and sanitizing areas used.

Accomplishments

I think my greatest accomplishment during my internship was getting better at time management. That is something I have been working on for a long time, and due to our busy schedule and hours, I got a lot better at planning ahead and timing things out better. I not only was responsible for myself, but responsible for helping all the kiddos we work with, so I had a higher motivation to get things done in a timely manner so I could better focus on what needed to be done at work.

Learning experience

I think one of the greatest lessons I learned was to not take things personally, and to start fresh everyday. Working with kids with autism, you never know what you are going to walk into. Some days will be so great, and some days will seem so long. But, it is so rewarding in the end to see them succeeding and thriving with skills they have been working at! I learned to not take the yelling, aggressions, or crying personally. The next day, they might be my best friend! Just had to start fresh and take each day and each kiddo as they came!

What advice would you give?

Advice I have for future students is to try to do and learn as many things as you can while in school! You might not have an idea of what you want to do right away, and that's fine! Trying new things, looking at different options, and keeping an open mind are great ways to find some opportunities you maybe never knew about! Meet people, seize opportunities, and have fun with whatever you are doing, and you'll find the right fit!