Saratoga Bridges

Behavioral Psychology Intern

May - July 2019 • Gansevoort, NY

What I liked

Realistic and comprehensive look into the daily workings of a Day Habilitation for people with DD/ID and the employees who work there, especially if one makes an effort to get to know and interact with all individuals there. The Behaviorists gave close supervision and advice, and aided me in the process of creating a Behavior Plan for an individual of my choice. I got to know people with a range and variety of diagnoses and support needs, and received advice on future p professional endeavors. I was also able to plan, coordinate, and host an outing for several individuals to participate in the community. It was an invaluable experience.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been more proactive in attempting to help with lessons/activities in the rooms I visited. The opportunities were sometimes sparse, especially due to slight understaffing, lack of time, and/or the support needs of individuals in different rooms.

Advice

Constantly ask for advice and update your site Supervisor on what you are working on/thinking. They might not always have a lot of time, but they get a better sense of you, your thoughts, and your effort if you communicate clearly. Constant communication can also lead you down conversational pathways that may be very illuminating (in several fields like the site's history, government policy, special and daily procedures, and professional information), but also very helpful for both the staff and yourself.

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