Practicum

I completed my practicum through Connect 1-2-3 in Cape Town, South Africa. This four-week-long practicum allowed me to experience the healthcare system in Cape Town, where I worked in two different hospitals: Victoria Hospital and Tygerberg Hospital. I experienced varied settings including pediatric oncology, an HIV clinic, a general pediatric clinic, and a general pediatric ward. I also provided service hours in a school for children on the autism spectrum, a school for children with severe to profound disabilities, and a temporary foster home for children suffering from neglect and abuse (many of whom had also experienced medical trauma). At the school for children on the autism spectrum, I planned and implemented an activity based on their lesson plan (more information here). These settings allowed opportunities to observe procedural support, parent and medical staff education, and therapeutic interventions offered by my preceptor, who is a CCLS. I gained hands-on experience with developmentally appropriate medical play, child led play, normalization, and socialization activities. Throughout the entirety of the program, I was challenged to reflect on the cultural aspects of my experiences and provide play opportunities despite limited resources and language barriers.