WEEK 5

I’ve noticed many concepts or theories from my disciplines (learned from my college courses) practiced at AZA United since I started working for this organization. One big theory that applies to my Speech and Hearing discipline (as well as a teaching discipline) is ABA. ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis and it concept that all AZA United employees must learn before they habilitate. ABA is a way of not looking at the behavior of a child as good or bad; instead it defines behavior as being measurable, observable, and never occurring in isolation. ABA is a way to objectively look at behavior in order to develop a game-plan that will help improve or increase certain behaviors while replacing the unwanted behavior. Along with ABA there is the concept of Positive/Negative Reinforcement. When habilitating a child with autism, AZA United habilitators use reinforcements which are consequences that support a certain behavior in hopes of increasing the desired behavior. A positive reinforcement would essentially give the child something if they perform the desired behavior (i.e. praise, toy, sticker) while the negative reinforcement is when avoidance occurs to facilitate the behavior. [An example for all you bloggers would be if you were driving on the freeway and see a photo-enforcement sign; you would slow down to avoid a speeding ticket.]
As for the Mass Communications side of my major, AZA United has been actively utilizing the concept of networking. Networking is a strategy used in businesses to build relationships that mutually benefit both parties while also spreading the business to potential clients. Currently, I am contacting various organizations or companies (with the help of the internet – mode of mass media) around Arizona that have similar goals or meet specific needs of our clients. I have been basically been calling and emailing these businesses to obtain information, like brochures and handouts, that I can add to the Resource Library that is intended for professionals, families and people affected by autism. Public Relations is also a concept that AZA United uses. PR is used to connect the organization to its intended audience, or public. With the use of news letters, emails, brochures, word-of-mouth, and public events, AZA United has successfully established a great reputation with its clientele and the community. With the help of public relations, this non-profit organization has really strived in less than 4 years with 200 habilitators to rank number 11 as one of Arizona’s Best Places to Work (Business Journal 2009).

WEEK 4

The main difference between multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary operations is the concept of integration. While multidisciplinary operations have many disciplines solving problems, interdisciplinary operations work together incorporating techniques and strategies from the different disciplines to find the best solution. I would say that AZA United Inc. operates with an interdisciplinary approach (and I'm not just saying that because I'm an interdisciplinary major!). The habilitators have to approach or assess each client differently to develop an individualized plan that will help the child achieve his or her goals. Some children need habilitation in behavior, while others in language, comprehension, or school work. It is important to work with the parent's wants, the child's needs, and the habilitator's experience in order to have a successful outcome.
As an intern, most of my focus is in more of an office setting, and I have noticed the office operate in an interdisciplinary manner. From human relations, to the executive director, to the receptionist, to the office assistants, they are all trained in habilitating children with autism. Their expertise in habilitating children with autism benefits the business aspects of their jobs because they have experience. AZA United's structure could be best described as a team organization. The habilitators have to go through a training process to obtain the necessary knowledge and techniques, but then they act on their own with their clients. This is all done for the greater good of the team and the team's goals of providing habilitation and respite services for children with autism.