David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D, Executive Director,
Marcia Questel, MS Ed, BCBA, Externship Co-Coordinator,
Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA, Externship Co-Coordinator, and
Reva Mathieu, EdD, BCBA, Media Corner Co-Coordinator
Association for Science in Autism Treatment

Did you know that the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) is primarily a volunteer-based organization?

ASAT Externship - Empowering the next generation

Photographed by Mikhail Nilov (www.pexels.com)

For over 25 years, the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) has been committed to promoting safe and effective, evidence-based treatment options that are grounded in well-conducted, peer-reviewed research. We apply a discerning and evidence-based approach to existing and emerging treatments, helping to protect valuable time, funding, and resources—and safeguarding the autism community from misinformation and misleading claims. ASAT’s mission—to advocate for science-based autism treatment, produce accessible and high-quality content, and actively counter false claims—would not be possible without our dedicated volunteers. Today, dozens of volunteers play an essential role every day in carrying out our important work. They serve on our Board of Directors and Professional Advisory Board, contribute to our Media Corner initiative, help proofread and prepare Science in Autism Treatment month after month, create shareable graphics, and bolster our social media presence.

Many of these dedicated volunteers are current or former participants in ASAT’s Externship Program—a structured, 150-hour, individualized volunteer experience typically completed over 12 to 18 months. Over the years, Externs have joined us from across the United States and around the globe, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, India, Ireland, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates.

Our Externs bring diverse perspectives shaped by a wide range of backgrounds, educational experiences, and professional paths. They include seasoned and early-career professionals, autistic individuals, family members, and students from high school through postdoctoral programs. The ASAT Externship is a uniquely flexible and enriching opportunity that offers participants a broad array of experiences they can complete from home, on a schedule that fits their lives and other professional and family responsibilities.

From the start of their journey with us, ASAT Externs take the lead in shaping their experience by identifying three personalized goals that align with their interests, strengths, professional development focus areas, and future career paths. This individualized approach ensures that the overall Externship experience is meaningful, impactful, and relevant. These goals are worked on steadily over the course of their participation.

Externs benefit from regular, small-group supervision via videoconference every three weeks, building a sense of connection, engagement, community, and peer support. They also track and celebrate progress alongside their cohort at key milestones: the completion of 50, 100, and 150 hours.

Externs engage in a dynamic range of activities, including:

      • Completing foundational training modules that cover topics such as writing for a consumer audience, supporting science on social media, proofreading and editing, media advocacy, critical analysis of autism treatment research, and distinguishing between evidence-based and non-evidence-based practices;
      • Proofreading new content for Science in Autism Treatment (SIAT), our monthly publication;
      • Reviewing and enhancing ASAT’s existing online resources;
      • Writing letters to the editor in response to autism treatment coverage, as part of our Media Corner initiative;
      • Promoting international and U.S. dissemination of ASAT’s free, evidence-based and comprehensive content; and
      • Participating in outreach efforts to grow SIAT’s subscriber base.

In addition to the core components of the program listed above, Externs can take advantage of a wide array of opportunities, which include:

      • Writing synopses of published research related to treatment, as well as summaries of specific treatments;
      • Authoring or co-authoring original articles for Science in Autism Treatment (e.g., book reviews, Clinical Corner responses, Consumer Corner articles);
      • Developing new content for ASAT’s website, including specialized pages for key stakeholder groups such as parents, educators, journalists, university faculty, and healthcare providers;
      • Participating in our hosted webinars—an opportunity to engage in professional dialogue and earn CE credits at no cost;
      • Participating in non-profit grant research and the preparation and writing of grant proposals;
      • Supporting the next generation of Externs by helping create and implement new training materials;
      • Taking on leadership roles in managing and enhancing ASAT’s social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, and X);
      • Collaborating on the conceptualization and design of ASAT print materials—including posters and shareable visuals; and
      • Expanding access by translating ASAT materials into other languages.

Interested?

This unique experience doesn’t just offer professional development—it helps shape passionate, informed advocates for science-based autism treatment. Whether you’re a student, an individual with autism, an early career professional, seasoned provider, or a family member seeking to make a difference, ASAT’s Externship gives you the tools, mentorship, and flexibility to grow while contributing meaningfully to the autism community. But don’t just take our word for it—hear from past and current Externs who have shared their feedback on the Externship experience and how the program has impacted them:

      • “I joined ASAT as an Extern right as I was beginning a graduate certificate program in applied behavior analysis. The Externship tasks and activities have led me to be a better-rounded and better-informed professional in the fields of special education and autism intervention. I have been able to gain more extensive experience in the areas of social media and writing for professional and lay audiences, areas that I specified an interest in at the outset of my Externship. The wonderful aspect of this Externship Program is that you can really tailor it to fit your interests personally and professionally.” (Alice Bravo, MEd, Charlottesville, VA)
      • “As the parent of an adult diagnosed with autism, I have learned a great deal from my Externship experience at ASAT. At the beginning, I felt intimidated by the fact that I was the only non-professional among the Externs. However, I was welcomed by an encouraging and understanding group who made me feel an integral part of the team. Not only have I gained new skills, such as conducting interviews and participating in social media projects, I have also become a more confident and effective advocate for my daughter and for other parents in my community. I would strongly encourage other parents to partake of ASAT’s Externship program.” (Franca Pastro, BA, Victoria, BC, Canada)
      • “As an aspiring graduate student, the Externship program has given me a tremendous opportunity to grow. I get to be involved in projects that are deeply meaningful and push me out of my comfort zone. Through various writing and dissemination projects, I can feel my impact on the autism community not only within the US but also internationally, especially in developing countries where evidence-based treatments for autism are still uncommon. Moreover, as part of the Extern team, I am given the unique opportunity to be surrounded by professionals in the field that I aspire to be in, who all share the common goal of disseminating science in autism treatments. Throughout the externship, leadership always strives to ensure that my success during and beyond the program is achieved by helping to customize my entire experience so that it lines up well with my personal and professional goals. The work I have been doing at ASAT is my first stepping stone into the field of behavior analysis and definitely an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my career.” (Mi Trinh, BA, Iowa City, IA)
      • “The Association for Science in Autism Treatment works diligently to bring science at the forefront of the conversation about autism treatment and working behind the scenes as an Extern to help with this effort has been an amazing experience. It’s so great to work with a team of people who truly dedicate themselves and their time to making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with autism.” (Brizida Vinjau, MS, BCBA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
      • “Being an Extern at ASAT is an experience unlike any other. It gave me the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the world of autism, from the wide spectrum of individuals to the many initiatives aimed at helping them grow. I also had valuable opportunities to publish work, whether through media alerts to the public or interviews and research synopses targeted at specific audiences I might not have otherwise reached. I truly cannot recommend the ASAT Externship enough. While every Extern’s experience will be different, David and the incredible team of volunteers from so many amazing backgrounds are always committed to helping each Extern meet their personal goals and grow, while supporting the autism community in the process.” (Charlie Hui, Austin, TX)
      • “It’s been a pleasure to participate as an Extern for ASAT, with its emphasis on promoting science and evidence-based practices for autism, which can be beneficial for parents and professionals alike. The leaders of the Externship program are experienced professionals in the field who are dedicated and passionate about their students, as well as supporting families with autism.” (Eli Allen, Lake Worth, FL)

Below are some testimonials from Externs about how to make the most of the experience.

      • “ASAT has always had an individualized goal-oriented approach. In the first few weeks of my Externship, they helped me identify personal and professional goals to advance my existing skill sets, and have helped me reach these goals throughout my Externship. To make the most out of the experience, it is critical to become involved with existing and future projects that will help you meet your individualized goals. ASAT has always supported each Extern in meeting their goals while also benefiting the organization and their audience as a whole.” (Briana Ostrosky, MA, BCBA, Bridgewater, NJ)
      • “The Externship Program with ASAT has been a valuable experience for me in not only my professional growth but my personal growth as well. Working with ASAT has provided me with the unique opportunity to select skills to sharpen that I do not directly contact in my daily roles, like writing articles and creating visual content. This Externship has also helped me to continue identifying and implementing time management and organizational strategies that are effective for myself; a skill that is so valuable in so many areas. Another aspect of the Externship program that I am grateful for is the collaborative focus. ASAT is comprised of such a variety of passionate, diverse individuals, and it has been such a pleasure to hear different perspectives and work with others from all around the world towards the same goal. I highly recommend this program to anyone seeking to further develop skills and contribute to the field of science in autism treatment!” (Kristina Mira, MEd, QBA, Costa Rica)
      • “To make the most out of the Externship, it is helpful to always keep in mind your personal and professional goals; the reason you came to the Externship. ASAT Externs are fortunate to be able to largely blaze their own paths and engage in activities that are meaningful to their personal lives and/or careers. If there is something that interests you or something you would like more experience with, ask! ASAT Externs are a group of innovative, intelligent individuals from all walks of life. Each Extern’s ideas matter, so be sure to share them. Just as ASAT can make a difference in the lives of many, so too can you make a difference at ASAT. Step up, stay engaged, and never forget the lives you can change as an ASAT Extern.” (Renee Wozniak, PhD, BCBA-D, Phoenix, AZ)
      • “Starting the Externship, I was both excited and nervous about what it would entail. The entire process has been clearly outlined, with expectations and assignments laid out in a manageable, yet challenging way. The calls are geared to reflect on the groups progress in meeting goals in the past month and allows us the opportunity to ask questions and learn about other experiences. The Externship not only provides the experience of disseminating ASAT’s mission, but really helps you grow professionally, both as an individual and as a part of a larger group.” (Karrie Lindeman, EdD, BCBA-D, Long Island, NY)
      • “To make the most out of the Externship at ASAT, I suggest the following tips: Be open-minded and say, “yes,” to projects even if you do not know much about the topic or it is something you have never done before. Saying “yes” to unfamiliar things can be uncomfortable, but it is a great way to learn new things and develop additional skills. Develop a time management system. It can be easy to lose track of projects and deadlines, so keeping due dates in your calendar and your own to-do list can help manage all of your ASAT responsibilities. Give yourself time to adjust. It may feel overwhelming at first with all of the emails, the to-do list, updates, deadlines, etc., but with time and practice, you will adjust and learn how the ASAT system works. Remember, there are always people you can reach out to for help!” (Angela Fuhrmann-Knowles, MA, BCBA, Pasadena, CA).

Ongoing Impact, Ongoing Involvement

We’re proud to share that many graduates of the ASAT Externship continue to stay involved—formally or informally—as valued members of our team. In fact, several of our current and former Board of Directors and volunteer Coordinators began their journey with ASAT as Externs. Their continued engagement reflects not only the value alignment related to our mission but also the lasting impact of the Externship experience in cultivating thoughtful, ethical, and evidence-driven advocates for the autism community.

Want to make a difference, but not ready for the full Externship?

We also welcome volunteers who want to contribute their time and talents in other ways. If you have experience in graphic design, language translation, marketing, database management, online research, Google Ads, fundraising, grant writing, website optimization, or social media—your skills can make a real impact.

If you would like to support ASAT as a volunteer or Extern, please complete and submit the ASAT Volunteer Application or the ASAT Externship Application to dceliberti@asatonline.org. Be sure to indicate your areas of interest so we can match your contribution to a meaningful and mutually rewarding role. We are always looking for passionate individuals who can help us communicate our information more broadly and make more people aware of our offerings. We hope to hear from you.

Authors’ Note: This article was adapted from one that appeared in the Winter 2022 Issue of Behavioral Health News.

Reference for this article:

Celiberti, D., Questel, M., McKenna, K., & Mathieu, R. (2025). Empowering the next generation of science advocates: Showcasing the Externship of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment. Science in Autism Treatment, 22(8).

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