Speech Therapy Personal Statement
Personal Statement
It only took a moment for my perspectives and life goals to change. My sudden and unexpected insight came during the summer of 2011 when, as a high school student, I volunteered at Schramm Educational Center, an alternative school for children with severe and profound disabilities. On this particular day, I observed an unforgettable speech therapy session, which inspired me to pursue my studies in Speech and Language Pathology. I watched in awe as a nonverbal, wheelchair-bound child with significant cognitive and motor impairments used her eyes to express “yes” and “no.” Her eye movements, while subtle, allowed her to make choices, identify known objects and, according to her speech therapist, could one day communicate her thoughts and needs through the use of …show more content…
This strategy provided me the multi-factorial background and detailed information necessary to better understand the technology, evidence-based practices, and underlying research, while making the coursework more meaningful. Additionally, my diverse academic and research interests inspired me to pursue clinical volunteer experiences throughout the community. Through the Carle Foundation Hospital, I observed adults with aphasia/dysphasia as part of a weekly Aphasia Group and aided in the planning and facilitation of group activities. I also especially enjoyed working with children with hearing impairments; many of which utilized hearing aids, bilateral cochlear implants, or other assistive technology. Each of these experiences gave me a greater insight into communication disorders, sharpening my inquiries, knowledge, and understanding of both the challenges and possibilities within our field. And although I am partial to working with children, I am greatly interested in broadening my educational and professional experiences to include working with individuals of all
It only took a moment for my perspectives and life goals to change. My sudden and unexpected insight came during the summer of 2011 when, as a high school student, I volunteered at Schramm Educational Center, an alternative school for children with severe and profound disabilities. On this particular day, I observed an unforgettable speech therapy session, which inspired me to pursue my studies in Speech and Language Pathology. I watched in awe as a nonverbal, wheelchair-bound child with significant cognitive and motor impairments used her eyes to express “yes” and “no.” Her eye movements, while subtle, allowed her to make choices, identify known objects and, according to her speech therapist, could one day communicate her thoughts and needs through the use of …show more content…
This strategy provided me the multi-factorial background and detailed information necessary to better understand the technology, evidence-based practices, and underlying research, while making the coursework more meaningful. Additionally, my diverse academic and research interests inspired me to pursue clinical volunteer experiences throughout the community. Through the Carle Foundation Hospital, I observed adults with aphasia/dysphasia as part of a weekly Aphasia Group and aided in the planning and facilitation of group activities. I also especially enjoyed working with children with hearing impairments; many of which utilized hearing aids, bilateral cochlear implants, or other assistive technology. Each of these experiences gave me a greater insight into communication disorders, sharpening my inquiries, knowledge, and understanding of both the challenges and possibilities within our field. And although I am partial to working with children, I am greatly interested in broadening my educational and professional experiences to include working with individuals of all