yugi2429
Dec 25, 2016
Graduate / Understanding neurogenic disorders. SOP - Applying for Masters in Speech Language Pathology. [4]
"My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn't prevent you doing well, and don't regret the things it interferes with. Don't be disabled in spirit as well as physically." -Stephen Hawking
Always wondering and baffled while looking at people who stuttered, with just one thinking in mind, why can't they talk slowly which would make it easy for others to understand and for them to communicate effectively but never did I know that the main cause of stuttering could range from heredity to stress to even neurogenic disorders. My grandmother was diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer's. I knew it was about the memory but always wondered why her speech got altered as she would never communicate. It was hard to understand. I was majorly concerned about my thick accent but "accent reduction" played an important role and helped me cope up with the same. These exposures, to the different aspects of speech, narrowed my interest into the field of speech, language and pathology.
While doing my bachelors in speech, language and pathology, from California State University, Fresno, I started learning about different subjects related to speech like disorders, connection between the ear, nose and throat, Functioning and working of the same, enhancing language etc. My first lecture, Phonetics, with Professor, Mary Lou Cancio provided the basic foundation of language and speech. In the most interesting and exciting way I learnt that Place, Manner and voicing were the basics of speech. Due to these fundamentals the correct pronunciation could be learnt. Using the knowledge learned in phonetics and putting it into use/experimenting with it, was a daily notion which not only helped me reduce my thick accent but it was easier for me to communicate with my colleagues, build up confidence and eventually help me get better grades. I understood the working, the connection and every other minute details of the functioning of the ears, nose and throat from Anatomy and physiology class taught by Prof Sabrina Ni and Ericka Olsen. And the most interesting subject Neurology, taught by Dr. Roberts, was the one that exposed me to a whole different world where the disorders like dysphagia, apraxia, ASD were spoken and explained in detail. Another interesting Subject, Audiology with Dr. Cavazos, not only helped learn the medical aspects of hearing loss but it gave me the practical knowledge due to the observations and lab work in the on-site Clinic
Working as a vocational job coach with Wayfinders, a non-profit organization affiliated to California State University, Fresno, made me gain, hands on experience with intellectual and developmental disability. I have learnt and grown with knowledge given by my mentor, Leslie Shirakawa, who has always been there to guide me with the methods/ways to tackle/handle situation and support the students in a way that would be easier for them to understand and follow. Her idea of letting me use my own way, helped me learn effective ways to communicate and device an algorithm for the students to help them solve situations, understand work ethic and most importantly being independent. This job made me ardor, working with adults with disabilities. It was more of a challenge to make them achieve their goals in a short stipulated semester time that they had at a particular job. I was able to understand the different disorders ranging from Williamsons disease, ASD, Phenylketonuria, Hurlers syndrome, Dyspraxia, Dysarthria, Dysphagia etc. and could understand the details about the disorders by observing in person and learned through daily conversations and being around them. Observing younger children at the Addicott Elementary school - a school for children with severe disabilities, and United Cerebral Palsy helped me gain firm footing over behaviors of ASD, cerebral palsy and stroke victims.
I was able to be a part of "A is for Apple", a company which provides service on the autism spectrum, as an ABA therapist. Being introduced to kiddos who were barely two years old, shook me as I had been amongst the adult group so far. Having my first session with a severely autistic Kiddo, in addition with Apraxia of the mouth was a challenge to me. Everyday I get to learn new things about/from him. It is always interesting to see his Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) everyday, which is done to stimulate his motor skills for speech. Not just this but being autistic, I get to see various behaviors everyday. And I have successfully learned the different ways that help to calm him down. His anxiousness, his jumping, his hyper behavior all are for a reason which he portrays as expressions that he wants to feel or convey. Working with him, has made me go deep with the ASD topic providing me knowledge about tactile approaches, sensory tools (different shaped straws used to drink water) that help to calm the behaviors and stimulate motor movements.
Being in this surrounding for about a year and a half to two years, with age groups ranging from two to twenty seven has helped me gain an overall idea and good experience when it comes to disorders, speech, Autism Spectrum etc. which has finally made me to understand that Speech language and hearing is something that I am really inclined towards and would want to expand my knowledge by learning more. By graduating with master in Speech language and hearing I am keen on working as a Medical speech therapist with specifications in neonatal swallowing disorders, Apraxia, Stroke victims, cancer victims etc. I have loved working with the kiddo's since its more challenging and gets you to keep thinking into different techniques to work with them, but I would want to work with the older population since I also want to gain knowledge about the effects on throat due to substance abuse, for those who are cancer victims and stroke patients.
My work experience as an ABA therapist have burgeoned my confidence and interest in working with kids and adults. Being receptive to feedback; as it teaches and helps in improvising, and portraying immense dedication in acquiring extensive knowledge to be the best at what I do, showcases a strong side of me. I believe that I possess that understanding, professionalism, empathy and personal commitment to fulfil the coursework and clinic. I have decided to begin this invigorating and arduous path to make significant and fruitful contributions as a speech therapist. I strongly believe in my ability to meet the high standards of (university), with my enthusiasm and dedication. With the careful study of the speech, language and pathology department, I am able to conclude that (university) will provide me the knowledge and perfect environment to direct me towards my goals.
"My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn't prevent you doing well, and don't regret the things it interferes with. Don't be disabled in spirit as well as physically." -Stephen Hawking
Always wondering and baffled while looking at people who stuttered, with just one thinking in mind, why can't they talk slowly which would make it easy for others to understand and for them to communicate effectively but never did I know that the main cause of stuttering could range from heredity to stress to even neurogenic disorders. My grandmother was diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimer's. I knew it was about the memory but always wondered why her speech got altered as she would never communicate. It was hard to understand. I was majorly concerned about my thick accent but "accent reduction" played an important role and helped me cope up with the same. These exposures, to the different aspects of speech, narrowed my interest into the field of speech, language and pathology.
While doing my bachelors in speech, language and pathology, from California State University, Fresno, I started learning about different subjects related to speech like disorders, connection between the ear, nose and throat, Functioning and working of the same, enhancing language etc. My first lecture, Phonetics, with Professor, Mary Lou Cancio provided the basic foundation of language and speech. In the most interesting and exciting way I learnt that Place, Manner and voicing were the basics of speech. Due to these fundamentals the correct pronunciation could be learnt. Using the knowledge learned in phonetics and putting it into use/experimenting with it, was a daily notion which not only helped me reduce my thick accent but it was easier for me to communicate with my colleagues, build up confidence and eventually help me get better grades. I understood the working, the connection and every other minute details of the functioning of the ears, nose and throat from Anatomy and physiology class taught by Prof Sabrina Ni and Ericka Olsen. And the most interesting subject Neurology, taught by Dr. Roberts, was the one that exposed me to a whole different world where the disorders like dysphagia, apraxia, ASD were spoken and explained in detail. Another interesting Subject, Audiology with Dr. Cavazos, not only helped learn the medical aspects of hearing loss but it gave me the practical knowledge due to the observations and lab work in the on-site Clinic
Working as a vocational job coach with Wayfinders, a non-profit organization affiliated to California State University, Fresno, made me gain, hands on experience with intellectual and developmental disability. I have learnt and grown with knowledge given by my mentor, Leslie Shirakawa, who has always been there to guide me with the methods/ways to tackle/handle situation and support the students in a way that would be easier for them to understand and follow. Her idea of letting me use my own way, helped me learn effective ways to communicate and device an algorithm for the students to help them solve situations, understand work ethic and most importantly being independent. This job made me ardor, working with adults with disabilities. It was more of a challenge to make them achieve their goals in a short stipulated semester time that they had at a particular job. I was able to understand the different disorders ranging from Williamsons disease, ASD, Phenylketonuria, Hurlers syndrome, Dyspraxia, Dysarthria, Dysphagia etc. and could understand the details about the disorders by observing in person and learned through daily conversations and being around them. Observing younger children at the Addicott Elementary school - a school for children with severe disabilities, and United Cerebral Palsy helped me gain firm footing over behaviors of ASD, cerebral palsy and stroke victims.
I was able to be a part of "A is for Apple", a company which provides service on the autism spectrum, as an ABA therapist. Being introduced to kiddos who were barely two years old, shook me as I had been amongst the adult group so far. Having my first session with a severely autistic Kiddo, in addition with Apraxia of the mouth was a challenge to me. Everyday I get to learn new things about/from him. It is always interesting to see his Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) everyday, which is done to stimulate his motor skills for speech. Not just this but being autistic, I get to see various behaviors everyday. And I have successfully learned the different ways that help to calm him down. His anxiousness, his jumping, his hyper behavior all are for a reason which he portrays as expressions that he wants to feel or convey. Working with him, has made me go deep with the ASD topic providing me knowledge about tactile approaches, sensory tools (different shaped straws used to drink water) that help to calm the behaviors and stimulate motor movements.
Being in this surrounding for about a year and a half to two years, with age groups ranging from two to twenty seven has helped me gain an overall idea and good experience when it comes to disorders, speech, Autism Spectrum etc. which has finally made me to understand that Speech language and hearing is something that I am really inclined towards and would want to expand my knowledge by learning more. By graduating with master in Speech language and hearing I am keen on working as a Medical speech therapist with specifications in neonatal swallowing disorders, Apraxia, Stroke victims, cancer victims etc. I have loved working with the kiddo's since its more challenging and gets you to keep thinking into different techniques to work with them, but I would want to work with the older population since I also want to gain knowledge about the effects on throat due to substance abuse, for those who are cancer victims and stroke patients.
My work experience as an ABA therapist have burgeoned my confidence and interest in working with kids and adults. Being receptive to feedback; as it teaches and helps in improvising, and portraying immense dedication in acquiring extensive knowledge to be the best at what I do, showcases a strong side of me. I believe that I possess that understanding, professionalism, empathy and personal commitment to fulfil the coursework and clinic. I have decided to begin this invigorating and arduous path to make significant and fruitful contributions as a speech therapist. I strongly believe in my ability to meet the high standards of (university), with my enthusiasm and dedication. With the careful study of the speech, language and pathology department, I am able to conclude that (university) will provide me the knowledge and perfect environment to direct me towards my goals.