Chris Brennan, alumnus (class of ’11), Tacoma, WA
As new students arrive on campus, I am reminded of where I was four years ago. Little knowledge of whom I would become or what I wanted to pursue. I sit here now on this gorgeous Sunday afternoon and am thrilled at where I have ended up after graduation. I am currently a behavioral interventionist with an organization located here in Tacoma that services over 90 clients in the area. What’s fascinating is that this organization started here in 2010 and has quickly built itself up, serving primarily military families.
Last semester I began my interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder by writing my final thesis on play therapy and its various effects on children with ASD. I had no idea that my research or interest with ASD would take me to the place I am at now. I originally started the summer by working at a café and bakery in Seattle, as well as dancing with a small company. After a few weeks, I began to realize that I wanted to find something more fulfilling. Using the resources of CES, I stumbled upon the position I currently have and immediately began creating my cover letter in the hopes that my limited experience in the psychological field would not hinder my application. Within a few days I received a call and set up my interview the following week. I had no idea what to expect, but I was lucky enough to be offered the job on the spot and was told training would begin in August. With a feeling of great relief, I carried on working and dancing in Seattle and in July moved back down to Tacoma in anticipation for my new job.
At the start of August I underwent a week long intensive training for six days, learning the ins and outs of ABA and various other programs such as DTT, TEACCH, PRT, PECS, and Sensory Integration. My head was literally jam-packed with information. After a shadowing session on our last day of training, I was sent on my merry way and began the following week by subbing 4 different cases. I will confess to being incredibly intimidated by the prospect of being on my own, but felt prepared to tackle what was thrown at me.
Last week was my second week of work and I began working with two of my own clients, who I will most likely have until the end of the year. The challenging part about my experience thus far is that each client varies greatly across the spectrum; no two clients are a like. Therefore each session is individualized and each BI must adjust accordingly. That being said, I think one of the strengths of this organization is that it allows for me, as an interventionist, to experience and assist a variety of clients. I’ve even gotten the experience of opening my own case with a client who has never worked with the organization or experienced ABA!
I’ve certainly already had my highs and lows with this job, but I’m so excited to see where this experience will take me. I plan on going to graduate school after this year and hope to pursue child development or perhaps clinical psychology. I honestly have no idea what I’ll end up doing to that end, but I’m happy taking things one-step at a time. I feel so fortunate to have this experience right now and it is everything I could have hoped for, especially after graduation!