"

Chapter 12: Student Concerns

Indicators of Concern in ABS Student Field Placements

Reaching a decision that a student is experiencing challenges during field placement is often a difficult process for Field Mentors and students. The following list is intended for students and Field Mentors to gain a better understanding of some of the challenge’s students may experience during field placement. This list may assist the Field Mentor in determining whether or not a field placement student requires additional support. Field Mentors are encouraged to reach out to the Field Placement Specialist for any concerns related to the student’s success at field placement.

Area of Concern Examples
Attendance

  • Repeated absences or lateness
  • Failure to communicate absences in advance or by the scheduled shift time
  • Inability met meet required field placement hours
  • Inability to attend field placement during the scheduled placement shifts

Meeting deadlines: timely completion of requirements/assignments

  • Repeated late submission of assignments or field placement paperwork
  • Late submission or failure to complete Preplacement Requirements
Professionalism

  • Failure to communicate with the Field Placement site/Field Mentor and/or Mohawk College (FPS, FPC & Faculty)
  • Student does not maintain confidentiality
  • Student does not apply feedback provided by Field Mentors
  • Lack of initiation for placement needs
  • Student is not attentive during learning opportunities (sessions, lessons, meetings, etc.)
  • Student does not come prepared to field placement
Rapport building and engaging with learners

  • Student does not attempt to engage with learners
  • Student does not engage in appropriate play/interactions with learners
  • Student demonstrates difficulty building rapport and implementing effective pairing strategies
Understanding of behaviour analytic concepts and principles

  • Student cannot readily identify the principles of ABA that are utilized within the placement setting and has difficulty connecting to concepts acquired in class
  • Student demonstrates challenges conveying ABA principles when engaged in conversations with Field Mentors
Application of behaviour analytic concepts and principles

  • Student has difficulty or does not attempt to practice the skills outlined above in the section, “Skills to Demonstrate Competency”.
Demonstration of unethical behaviours, and violation of policies and procedures

  • Student does not comply with the field placement site's policies and procedures
  • Student does not comply with Mohawk College’s policies and procedures
  • Student jeopardizes client/learner, staff, or others' health and safety within the placement environment

Please note: students may be placed on a success contract or terminated from a field placement for areas of concerns and examples that may not be included in this list. To support students in achieving the learning outcomes for field placement, a success contract may be generated that outlines the concerns of the field mentor and establishes goals and timelines for students. Field mentors are encouraged to contact the Field Placement Specialist at the earliest opportunity with their concerns so that this resource can be generated.