CYC 310 Practicum: Little Steps Therapy Services LTD

Interview with Alexandra Donovan (Practicum Supervisor)

1. What made you want to become a behaviour interventionist (BI)?

Alexandra’s purpose for pursuing a profession as a BI originates from her passion of facilitating
individuals to grow to the best of their capacities. She also has an interest in detailed-orientated
work.
2. Did you enroll in postsecondary to take on the roll of working with children with
developmental and/or learning challenges?
Alexandra attended post-secondary for a REILAS degree in Germany that enables her to work
with children ages 0-19 in a diverse range of settings.

3. What credentials do you currently have?

Alexandra is a National Educator. She has achieved these credentials through her active
engagement in a 5 year program back in Germany. Unfortunately, her credentials are not
recognized in Canada. In addition, she currently is occupied with her career and family life to
attend Canadian post-secondary school.

4. What other training has contributed to your work as a senior BI?

REILAS- behaviour technician program

5. Do you desire becoming a BC, SLP or OT?

While Alexandra does not have a passion for becoming a speech/language pathologist, she
does aspire to be a behaviour consultant or occupational therapist. However, family comes first
and she does not have the time to commit to completing her Masters at this point in time.

6. What is your practice philosophy?

● Be accountable for your work
● Evidence-based practice
● Practice transparency
● Stick to your ethics
● Recognize children’s strengths and areas for further development
● Be flexible with teaching and follow the child’s lead

7. What is the framework to your practice?

Alexandra works within a strengths-based, evidence-based, and play-based framework.

8. What do you consider best practice? How do you promote this?

Child-led play with therapy and ensuring that teaching is naturalistic. This not only makes
learning exciting for the child but also creates more opportunities for the child to generalize their
knowledge.

9. What ethical dilemmas have you encountered at Little Steps Therapy Services (LSTS),
how have you resolved this?
Incorporating every one’s values and beliefs (parents, multidisciplinary professionals at LSTS
and school team) in creating programs for the child. Sometimes there can be differences in
opinions of what is conceptualized to be the best practices for the child.

10. How was this ethical dilemma resolved?

Alexandra stressed the importance of clear and open communication when working in
multidisciplinary teams. To ensure that practice is transparent, accountable and professionals
understand their roles within the team.

11. What is your favourite part about working at LSTS?

Alexandra’s favourite part about working at LSTS is watching the children develop and seeing
their families being provided with support through the services; “you won’t have a midlife crisis
when your 40 because you are doing valuable work”.

12. How do you balance your personal and professional life?

Creating spatial separation; Alexandra has her ‘email app’ on the second page of her phone so
she is not constantly reminded by the amount of unread emails in her inbox.

13. What is your self-care routine?

When Alexandra comes home she has a piece of chocolate, goes upstairs to change out of her
work clothes and then spends time with her daughter.