Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Personal Statement

My enthusiasm for this field is rooted in supporting and caring for others. When people asked me “what do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer was ever changing. The one constant was my passion for helping children. While attending undergrad at Stephen F. Austin State University, this field fell into my lap. As I worked my way through communication sciences coursework, I came to realize that I not only wanted a career in working with children but specifically those with disabilities. My love for this occupation has been solidified by my experiences, over the last two years, as a licensed Speech-LanguagePathology Assistant. I am seeking a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology to give everyone a voice and make an impact on the

So far in my career, some of my favorite successes include: supplying assistance to families from low socioeconomic status (SES), fostering self-assurance in children with speech delays, and switching from the picture exchange communication system (PECS) to the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) method. Through my current employer, I have the opportunity to assist low-SES families who otherwise would not have access to these services. Most recently, I participated in a state fair hearing to advocate for a patient receiving adequate frequency for speech therapy. Oftentimes, my job can be as simple as helping someone overcome the fear of being ridiculed by peers due to a speech impediment. I have used articulation therapy to eliminate sound errors before getting on stage for a school play. Helping a non-speaking child with autism transition from a limited PECS board to a robust language system like AAC has been extremely

Albeit all different, most have one thing in common, echolalia. As a student of the masters program I hope to research ways I can better understand the reason behind it and what intervention methods are best. My goal in research is to support my clients in achieving a more spontaneous and intentional way of communication. Throughout my practice, I have struggled with where to praise a direct imitation when a child gains their first few words to a growing concern when it takes the form of a more gestalt language process. In addition to echolalia research, I hope to contribute to the neurodiverse population with more research on ways for therapists to provide affirming and strengths based therapy. To affirm their individualism and not simply “fix”