Madelyn Claar

Responsibilities

I had a lot of responsibilities at Axis Therapy Centers. I provided ABA therapy in individual and group settings to children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities. I taught social, play, and communication skills. I followed skill acquisition and behavior reduction protocols. I collected and recorded data through direct observation. I was able to help facilitate social skills groups, pre-school readiness groups, and ABA therapy.

Accomplishments

This experience provided me with such great opportunity and experience. I am more confident in myself as a professional worker in this field, and I have so much passion for the clientele that I am working for. Coming into this internship I was unsure if this was going to be something that I was going to do forever, and I can genuinely say now that I plan to stay within this field, and further my career and degree. I am confident in my execution of delivering programming. I am confident in taking data, and confident and providing safety to the children.

Learning experience

All of the clients within this facility have differing abilities, and capacities that they are able to learn. Some are very verbal, some are non-verbal, some are great at communication skills, while other's aren't. Some do well in social skills groups, while others like to be alone. The agency, the employees, and the clients are all unique in their own ways, and make me love it more and more each day. The agency as a whole values its employees, and cares for everyone's health and well-being. I am confident in my work, and am proud of how far I've come. It takes a lot of time and effort with this job, and I learned that if you work hard, and ask questions, you will be successful.

What advice would you give?

The biggest piece of advice I have is to try new things, and don't be afraid to fall. You will always get back up. Try new things, and take any chance to observe career opportunities while you can.