Becoming A Speech-Language-Pathologist

As a child, I was faced with a lot of adversity. My grandmother raised my brothers and me. We lived on government assistance with little money and no car for transportation for extracurricular activities. The hardships we faced compelled me at a young age to stay in school, go to college, and make something of myself because I did not want to live a life limiting my dreams and opportunities. Throughout my academic career, there was not a specific moment that solidified my desire to pursue a profession in Speech- Language Pathology (SLP); instead, there were numerous. I initially became interested in this profession after learning how a child’s dysfluency was able to significantly improve. The gradual process of a client making substantial improvements

Many people would like to make a difference, not only in their own life, but in others’ lives as well. Deepak Chopra once said, “Everyone has a purpose in life…a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals.” All of us, at one point in our lives, have to make the difficult decision of the goals we want to work towards. We all have certain goals, standards, and expectations of ourselves. Not everyone will figure out what they want to be right away, and some will know from the very beginning. My plan for my life is helping others through Speech Language

The career of speech pathology offers many opportunities in a variety of different settings. For those who are willing to tackle the challenge of advanced education and have a passion for working with others, speech pathology could be a great career choice. Through my individual research and interaction with other Speech Pathologists,

My career goal is to become a Speech Pathologist. I became interested in this career after being placed in the caregiving field after taking a personality test. Looking at the career options I found Speech Pathology. My twin sister’s adoptive mom, Jamee, is a Speech Pathologist. After I observed her for a few days I realized that I wanted to be a Speech Pathologist. Jamee told me what courses she took in college and what she did during her sessions with each student. Jamee currently works at Greenville Michigan middle school and before that she worked for eight years in a hospital. After speaking with her, I learned that being a Speech Pathologist in a school or a small clinic would be a better environment for me to work in. My educational

I am Samantha Peterson, as a child I was taught to be independent in my beliefs and to always follow my heart wherever it led me. I have always been one to go after what I want and never give up until my dreams are fulfilled. I plan to finish my associate degree at AB Tech and transfer to Western Carolina. I plan to graduate from Western Carolina with a master’s degree in speech pathology. Once I complete this phase in my life I hope to pursue my career and start a family of my own. To begin my career, I hope to still be employed at Mission Hospital, but as a speech pathologist rather than a medical assistant. As a speech pathologist I hope to make life changing improvements in people’s everyday lives that I cross paths with. While beginning

Becoming a Speech Language Pathologist will require much training and continuing education. The benefits of helping to change the lives of others and help them communicate effectively will be a wonderful way to serve and help those in need. I look forward to working with people who have speech and language disorders and conducting research to enhance the progress of those who struggle to

My purpose in entering the program is to not only fulfil my dreams and purpose in life, but more importantly, it is to help as many individuals as possible with speech-language and swallowing disorders. I want to be a part of making a difference in those with communication disorders and be able to help them reach their fullest potential. My involvement as a student, a tutor, volunteer, an observer, and a SLPA has not only confirmed my love for a career in speech pathology, but it has also provided me with essential information. I intend to provide superb and effective strategies to those who suffer from communications disorders. I plan on extending my help not just to my patients, but also to the less fortunate that are unable to pay for such services. My passion for this major and my ambitions motivate me to become a successful and effective speech pathologist. I aim on guiding individuals with an invigorating view to improve and further develop socially and academically.

My future education goal is to major in Communication Sciences and Disorders and attend graduate school to become a Speech Language Pathologist. I also plan to travel throughout college and learn more about different cultures. Through the various short term abroad mission trips and local volunteering at the Place of Hope, I have discovered that education happens inside and outside of a classroom. Throughout my time in college, I hope to study abroad and continue to learn more about other cultures and the world that is around me. I believe that those who travel have a better grasp about what goes on in our world. By being more aware about the world, it creates a more grateful attitude and the desire for equality.

Do you ever ask someone what they want to become when they are older or what their major is? It seems as if I always get the same answer, everyone wants to become or is in the process of becoming a speech-language pathologist. I believe the amount of graduating speech-language pathologists are outnumbering the jobs available. Speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders. They are able to help individuals who have had strokes, surgeries, injuries, dementia, as well as those who have autism. Speech therapists work with individuals of all ages and are able to work in several settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and rehabilitation centers. Job opportunities for speech-language pathologist

From being diagnosed at a young age with dyslexia and apraxia of the speech, I am not sure where I would be without the help and encouragement of my speech pathologists. ‘Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients’ (Summary, www.bls.org, 2015). Along with helping their patients overcome or learn how to understand their disorders, speech pathologists must keep records.

I choose to interview a Speech Language Pathologist. She works with children in early children intervention. She works with children birth to 3 years old with developmental speech delays and disabilities. She provides home base services that focus on the family goals. She helps identify learning opportunities to provide materials and emotional support, demonstration, information, and resources for the family to help their child learn, and develop to their full potential. She also helps with parents and caregivers to help with their children to be as independent as they can. She also works with Hispanic speaking backgrounds and she is also a translator. She also does hearing screenings, developmental, and speech language evaluations, OAE, typangram

Based on evaluation findings from an interdisciplinary team including a Speech-Language Pathologist, a school Psychologist, classroom teachers, and Mary Lou’s parents, Mary Lou has been diagnosed with dyslexia characterized under Language-Based Learning Disability (LLD) as she exhibits difficulty with both spoken and written words (ASHA, 2016). Based on below average score in following directions on the CELF-5, and Mary Lou’s self report of difficulties in comprehending verbal instructions from classroom teachers Mary Lou was diagnosed with a mild receptive language disorder. Mary Lou’s diagnosis of a receptive language disorder is then further impacted by her reduced processing speed as noted in standardized assessment using the WISC.

During my interview with Speech Pathologist, Deborah Kirsch, I learned countless details about the Speech Pathology career field. When we first began talking, I learned that Mrs. Kirsch works out of a company called “Professional Therapy Services”, where she is contracted out to work for “Eunice Smith Nursing Home” which is located in Alton, Illinois. She has been working at this facility for about a year. She is a newly found graduate from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and she graduated in May 2011. Another thing that I learned about Mrs. Kirsch is that she originally did not go to school to become a speech pathologist, this was a career that she found later in life. After she had graduated from SIUE, the first time with a bachelors in Psychiatry, she started working at a nursing home around this area. She came to know a Speech Pathologist that worked there and she quickly found the field very fascinating. She had always been driven to help others, and she witnessed some of the exercises being done with individuals at the nursing home and decided to go back to school to get her masters in Speech Pathology.

Speech-language pathologists play a significant role in evaluation and intervention with English Language Learners. More and more SLPs are playing a teacher role in the academic environment. The role and responsibility of a speech-language pathologist is essential when identifying the most ethical and appropriate services to meet the individual needs of the student. However, evaluating ELL students can be challenging from a clinical standpoint and typically is complicated by many factors including, personal, institutional, and society interests. Many school based SLPs are not proficient in a second language and therefore are not adequately trained to provide nonbiased bilingual assessments. Current practices in speech-language pathology support the decision making process for the family and their priorities when identifying assessment and treatment options. Consideration for implementing strategies that will benefit the student most should not be overlooked.

After practicing for over twenty years as a Speech Language Pathology Assistant, I have gained many skills and qualifications. I am a motivated self-starter, and licensed to practice in Idaho and Oregon. Working as an SLP-A has allowed me to be well versed in IDEA, and special education programs. My knowledge and proficiency have enabled me to perform therapy, follow directions, maintain daily notes, and assist with progress notes. I have been involved in various speech screenings in the schools. My experience is with a multitude of supervisors working with clients from pre-kindergarten to geriatric, both in group sessions and 1:1. In these sessions I have worked with to name a few articulation, fluency, expressive/receptive language,