Discipline‐specific field placements are available with many Waisman Center programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. Contact the program of interest to learn more about available field placement opportunities. Fieldwork experiences may also be individually arranged at the undergraduate and graduate level through field advisors within various University of Wisconsin‐Madison departments.
The Waisman Center also has opportunities for clinical training experiences.
Students from other colleges and universities may also pursue field placements at the Waisman Center as individually arranged by the students’ program faculty.
Opportunities For:
Training Programs:
Resources:
Waisman Center Programs Field Experiences
The Waisman Center University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) is comprised of a number of programs. Some of the programs that have served as field placements for students from a number of different disciplines are:
- Waisman Early Childhood Program (WECP)
Waisman Early Childhood Program is an inclusive classroom based program that serves children ages 1 though 6.
Contact:
Nancy Saevang, WECP Director
608-262-4718
Ruth Munz, University Services Associate 2
608-263‐5760 - Community TIES
Community Training, Intervention, and Evaluation Services (TIES) provides case management and community training on challenging behavior.
Contact:
Josh Lapin, Behavioral Support Director
608-263-5962 - WI LEND Program
Wisconsin Maternal and Child Health Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (WI LEND) Program is a graduate-level leadership training program that is focused on children with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. LEND can serve as a field placement experience for students from programs such as social work and public health. These are individually arranged.
Contact: Anne Bradford Harris, LEND Director
Clinical Training
Discipline‐specific clinical training experiences are arranged through academic programs, such as field experiences or pediatric specialty rotations through affiliations with the American Family Children’s Hospital or occasionally on an individual basis. Interdisciplinary clinical training can be completed as part of the Wisconsin Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (WI LEND) Program. Pediatric Residents and Family Medicine Residents also complete rotations in the Waisman Center clinics.
Clinical training experiences focus on health professionals learning to provide family‐centered, culturally‐competent, coordinated interdisciplinary care to children with special health care needs and their families. Clinicians from many disciplines work together in Waisman Center clinics, combining knowledge in the following areas: audiology, biochemical and clinical genetics, including genetic counseling, developmental/behavioral pediatrics, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, orthopedics, pediatric rehabilitation, physical therapy, psychology, social work, and speech and language.
Currently, the Waisman Center provides clinical care through specialty clinics that are operated in collaboration with University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics and several University of Wisconsin‐Madison academic departments. Clinical services are clustered to address developmental concerns in three areas:
- developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum and other disorders
- neuromotor disabilities (including augmentative communication)
- genetics and heritable disorders.
If you are a current University of Wisconsin‐Madison student, contact your academic department to arrange clinical training or observation opportunities at the Waisman Center. Students from other colleges and universities may also pursue field placements at the Waisman Center as individually arranged by the students’ program faculty.