Week 4

I think my internship site is more interdisciplinary than multidisplinary in many ways. When I work with the speech pathologist and her client, she is not only trying to teach the client knowledge, the purpose is also part of a hidden curriculum. The client and the speech pathologist know that being able to speak articulately is important int he world and especially in the work force. When I work with Ben who has down syndrome, he is not only learning the names of colors and shapes, he is also learning how to speak them clearly and articulately. Its not just about the actual names and colors of the shapes, but the words themselves and the sounds those letter combinations make.
The disciplines are so intertwined that breaking them apart is difficult. In one aspect, the speech pathologist is creating benchmarks for setting goals for her clients. She also reinforces the skills that they have already learned so as not to allow her clients to get "rusty".
Lastly, there aren't quite "departments" and the employees don't collaborate much except for advise on activities and ideas. The employees work independently with their clients which wouldn't make them interdisciplinary at all, but more multidisciplinary.