My practicum at the Sunnyhill Complex Developmental and Behavioural Conditions Department has taught me about the role of Social Work within an interdisciplinary team in a medical setting, and the value of aligning with the needs and strengths of families and caregivers. This practicum has also informed me on the function of a diagnosis in determining community supports. My preparatory research included youth with developmental disabilities, the assessment process, the need for more significant structural support, the life-needs model, the portage model, how to support families and caregivers, social work within an interdisciplinary team, mindfulness and outcome evaluations. My learning experience has implications for my future practice working within interdisciplinary teams. In my future work, I aspire to promote social justice and ethical practice by using my skills and expertise of external and community resources to overcome barriers in culturally sensitivity ways that honours the client’s unique strengths, needs, and their selfdetermination. My experience and learning enriched my professional capacity and my appreciation of the value of Social Work in supporting families and individuals.
