Josh was an Autism Assessor for Alpine Pediatrics during Fall 2025.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
I worked for the past 6-months performing evaluations for autism at Alpine Pediatrics, under the direction of Dr. Julia Simpson. We work with families in Utah County who come from a broad variety of backgrounds, and I have had the opportunity to conduct assessments in both English and Spanish. Through our reports, families have been able to access resources and understand their children better, providing hope for a better life prognosis.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
I learned how to communicate the results of autism assessments compassionately and thoroughly to families. I expected to learn the mechanics of conducting the assessments are writing reports, but finding ways to communicate this with families in a respectful and dignified way has been so rewarding.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
I have decided to dedicate much more of my future career to working with children with autism, which had not been as much of a priority before.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
I have prayed many times for the families we work with, combining my clinical expertise, research background, and personal revelation in order to provide the best possible answers for families seeking support.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
This opportunity has expanded my view of the world, helping my understand autistic individuals from a more holistic standpoint and appreciate individual strengths. I would highly recommend this opportunity.
Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your internship?
I have loved this opportunity and feel blessed to be able to work with excellent supervisors at Alpine.
