Makenna was an Autism Behavior Therapist for ABS Kids during Fall 2025.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
As a registered behavior technician, I was able to provide direct behavioral therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder. Over the course of my internship, I watched as my client made progress and reached their goals one day at a time. I met with my client every day for three hours and although growth was not always obvious, it accumulated over time and they were able to go from nonverbal communication, to using words. They went from aggressing towards their peers, to sharing with them. Therapy was able to improve the quality of my client's life, and my client and experience at ABS kids changed mine. Not only was I exposed to the professional world and received invaluable training that will help me in my graduate studies, but I was able to see the difference that I was capable of making and developed a greater understanding and empathy for the autistic population.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
Through this internship I was able to learn about the data collection and logistics that happens throughout and outside of each direct care session. I was able to take data throughout the session and although I was not responsible for analyzing it, I was given opportunities to observe the analytics process. This helped expand my perspective on the origin of the therapeutic techniques and why it is necessary.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
Although I am not going into the field that my internship was for, I gained incredibly valuable insight as to how ABA therapy and occupational therapy overlap. I am feeling more sure of my future career goals than ever and look forward to more collaboration with ABA therapy using a different perspective. Learning more about the autism has inspired me to continue studying this more extensively and I am hoping to specialize in treating autistic children.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
This experience was critical for me in establishing a specific direction that I want to take my career. While I have known for a long time that I want to do occupational therapy, it is a very expansive field and I did not know if there was something that I would want to specialize in. However, through interacting with children at ABS Kids, I felt that early intervention and helping the pediatric population is not just what I wanted to do, but what Heavenly Father wanted me to do. I was able to realize gifts and talents that I have and had not known before. Furthermore, I now understand better my own individual value and the infinite value of each of God's children.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
I would recommend interning at ABS Kids because it allows you to have meaningful learning experiences, be stretched to learn new skills, and gain perspective about a minority demographic. I enjoyed interacting with professionals and coworkers that encouraged me to grow and who supported me and my client. I felt like part of a team!
