Autism Personal Statement

It is through working in clinics as per the SLPA coursework at CSULB that my eyes have been open to the frustrations faced by those who have difficulties with communication. When working with a child with autism, I have realized that speech language pathologist not only helps the individual client, but also help others who are close to them, such as caregivers, who’s daily lives are affected by these communication difficulties. Through

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an intricate brain disorder that can cause difficulties in social skills, communications, and abnormal behavior. Looking at children with ASD, researchers began investigating how to lessen the affects that ASD had on children using animals. More specifically, it was discovered that dogs could be helpful to children. “Man’s best friend” may be valuable in a way doctors and trained therapeutic professionals are not. How does interacting with a dog affect children with autism spectrum disorder?

Combined with it’s broad spectrum of academic and practicum experiences, I believe James Madison University will aid in reaching my maximum potential as a Speech Pathologist. In addition to the academic and practicum experience, the graduate program’s focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder has sparked my interest. My critical thinking and teaching skills were refined when teaching appropriate skills and behaviors for maximum involvement and success in the community with the Autism Society of North Carolina. My skills and experience working with autistic clients and their multidisciplinary team to provide best therapy opportunities would be beneficial towards my success in the CSD 528 Autism course offered at James Madison University. I would love to advance my research skills, in Dr. Longerbeam’s research project on the impact of sensory integration intervention on vocal/verbal output of children with

Keaunna Knox has been a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) since 2007, and has worked ever since 2000 with children with special needs who had speech and language disorders. She began as an “Instructional/Speech Aide” at Pasadena Unified School District working with children with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities. All the students she worked with had speech and language disorders, and, since the Districts therapy was overloaded Keaunna implemented the communication goals she wrote. Based on that experience and many others, Keaunna decided to enroll at Cal State Los Angeles to pursue her professional career in teaching. She received her Master’s in Mild-Moderate Disabilities in Special Education from Cal State Los Angeles and a second

Many people have dreams and aspirations for the future. Some want to be rich, have their dream home, be famous or travel the world. While these are all great goals and aspirations, they are not a wish of mine. My dream is to open a non-profit organization that assists in finding employment for disabled adults, specifically autistic adults. Before beginning this establishment I must have a solid vision, the mission of the non-profit, the goals I am aspiring to reach and a firm set of policies in place all while ensuring the correct management style is utilized.

When I first found out my brother had autism, I didn’t know what to think. At first I blamed myself because I spent a lot of time with him ever since he was born, showing him how to use iPads, computers, and other electronics and I thought these things had something to do with it. Even after people have been telling me that there is no clear cause for autism, to this day I still can’t help but think that I had something to do with my brother’s disorder. As his older brother though I promised myself that I would do whatever it takes to help my brother live with his disorder and still become a functional member of society. My family started by placing my brother under Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. The therapy sessions took place at

While obtaining observation hours for ASHA, I had the privilege of viewing therapy sessions of students at Oscar Smith Middle School. I never had the opportunity of meeting children with disabilities personally until I began my observation hours. During a treatment session, two young ladies with Intellectual Disability (ID) captured my attention and changed my perspective on the part Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) play in providing these students with the critical skills to communicate with their special and general education instructors and others they may encounter through their environment. Witnessing the middle school students’ interactions with their SLP and myself gave me a glance at the rewarding aspects

The Human Service area that I am most interested in is Family and Child Services. After I graduate, I will be going to the nursing field so I feel that Family and Child Services is related to nursing. I instantly asked my roommate if she know anyone because she is currently going to school to become a Speech Pathologist and she works with children that have disabilities. I had the opportunity to interview Ariel Rogan, who is the Manager of Autism Behavioral Technicians, at Centria healthcare. She oversees five Autism Behavioral Technicians that conducts applied behavioral analysis therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder. She also interact with the clients from time to time. Children with autism are usually integrated with children that have typically development, which results in a high level of bullying amongst the children with this disability. I believe this organization is special because it help children with disabilities cope and improve with developments.

Autism Spectrum Disorder affects various aspects of an autistic child’s life. Many children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder every year, while others go undiagnosed for an extended time, or even for their whole life. A child exhibiting delays in language benchmarks or showing little interest in the surroundings should be examined for possible ASD. Language is often impaired and although the level of impairment can range from severe too unnoticeable in each child, a child is likely to have a delay in another area, like coordination of motor skills, if not in language. Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder that causes impairments in various aspects of language development.

Scientifically, autism and autism spectrum disorder, also known as ASD, are commonly used names for difficult disorders that have to do with brain development. Disorders like these are grouped by someone’s difficulty in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and nonverbal communication. To the people who are diagnosed with this disorder and the families it affects; it is so much more than just science.

She has played an active role in developing community based experiences for the students and connecting them with outside agencies for additional support. She is always willing to learn new programs or instructional strategies to best meet the needs of her students. Amy seeks help and assistance when needed. Amy’s commitment to education is evident even in the summer when she provides instruction to a group of middle school school students with Autism.

Speech Pathology is a field that is broad in the since of job opportunities, but narrow when it comes to specialization. Working and providing therapy for people with ASD is not a rare occurrence for an SLP. I know for myself I have worked with numerous places and people were ASD is not uncommon for me. After working at Arts ‘n Autism it gives me motivation to dive deeper into this specialization and to learn all that I can about this special population. ASD can come is various forms and no two people have the same deficiencies or sensory preferences, and that is intriguing to me. As a SLP I want to know the ins and outs of my field and also my clients. I want to know the best way to treat and care for them why they are in my session. Their goals need to be tailored to them and not just for the whole ASD population. Working at Arts ‘n Autism has shifted my perspective on how to work the most efficiently to improve my client’s capabilities and ultimately his or her quality of life. I want to be an advocate for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and serve them to the best of my ability. I have seen how professionals must handle hard conversations with parents that are always for the best interest of the child. Also, I want to undergo all of the training to learn the legal and correct actions when restraining a child and things of that nature. I just realized that I was not equipped to do that, so I want to be able to all that I can in places like Art ‘n

Autistic infants often show little or no interest in other people and lack typical social behaviors. For example, they may not smile at their mother's voice or make eye contact with caregivers. Autistic children fail to develop normal relationships with their parents, brothers or sisters, and other children. Often they seem unaware of the needs and feelings of other people, and may not respond if another person is hurt or in distress. They also fail to make friends.

Neurological disorders are complex in nature and often the least understood. Given the recent boom in imaging technology and other diagnostic methods, it is now possible to see more clearly into the scope of neurological development and accurately determine the etiology of these diseases. One of such disorders is Autism; a multifactorial condition impairing normal brain development. It affects many aspects of development, including social behavior, cognitive ability and communication skills1 and is commonly diagnosed in children before the age of three1. The symptoms of this condition can vary greatly between individuals; hence its classification as a spectrum disorder. Asperger syndrome, Rett syndrome and pervasive

Autism is on the rise. Many researchers feel the reasons isn’t because there are more kids being afflicted with it, but the increased public awareness has allowed this disorder to be more easily recognized and diagnosed at a earlier age.