Externship Job Listing

Princeton Child Development Institute (PCDI)

Since 1970, PCDI (Princeton Child Development Institute) has provided quality, comprehensive, and research-based behavior analytic intervention for people with autism in New Jersey. Our Early Intervention and Education Programs provide students ages 3-21 with intensive instruction that is specially designed to meet individual needs including academics, physical development, home and community skills, language development, social and emotional learning, behavioral support, social interaction, and independence. Teaching extends beyond the school day during scheduled home visits with students and their families. During home visits, hands-on training is provided to parents and caregivers to allow them to be part of the intervention team.

Our community living services began in 1977 upon the opening of our first residential group home for individuals with autism. Though initially available for school-age students, these services are now available to our adult learners who require continued care in a therapeutic home setting. Our homes are staffed with live-in residential professionals who reside in the home alongside individuals with autism. They are designed to meet each learner’s specific needs and afford residents the opportunity to contribute to their own care, the care of their home, and the care of their community.

Daytime services are available for our adult learners through our Adult Life Skills Program, which was established in 1986. The Life Skills program provides personal and career-development services to young adults with autism. Individuals enter the work force in jobs such as building maintenance, food service, merchandising, and data entry. Our program also promotes expansion of skills in areas such as physical fitness, money management, leisure and recreation, speech and language, self-care, and home and community skills. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Survey, December 2022: 80% of adults with disabilities are unemployed or underemployed. As of July 2022, 79% of PCDI adults are employed for 20 hours or more per week.

300 Cold Soil Road
Princeton, NJ 08540

www.pcdi.org

Winter 2025 ONE WEEK (January 6-10)

During the externship, students will learn about the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and the interventions that we use to support learners in our Education or Adult Programs. They will observe staff working with students, gain practice in the documentation systems that are used to teach skills to students including reviewing individualized learning programs and assisting in data collection and/or graphing, and learn about the development of individualized curriculum materials that are used to teach new skills. They will learn skills using a hands-on training model, such that feedback about their performance will be provided in the moment from our instructors and/or trainers. If the opportunity arises, students may be able to interact directly with learners and implement teaching procedures with the guidance of our staff.

It may be helpful, though not required, for students to have some coursework experience in psychology, sociology, social work, education, child development, etc. On occasion, students with a criminal justice/forensics backgrounds find interest in Applied Behavior Analysis as it examines human behavior, motivation, etc. Of course, it is helpful for the student to comfortable and open to working with individuals with developmental disabilities.