Functional Speech with Rachel

Early intervention, preschool, elementary school, middle school, and high school students

Yet to be added

Recognized as the 2019 Outstanding Graduate Student in Speech-Language Pathology at Kent State University at the Ohio Speech-Language Hearing Association conference.

I attended Kent State University's speech-language pathology program for both my undergraduate and graduate degree. I received a Bachelor's Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies in 2017. I graduated with a Masters of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology in 2019.

I am passionate about communication. It was the fourth grade when I had the first inkling of interest in becoming a speech-language pathologist. Of course, at the time I had no idea how all-encompassing the profession is regarding skill set and treatment populations; however, I did understand the gravity of the impact of speech-language services. At age three, I began to receive speech services for Childhood Apraxia of Speech. For eight years, speech-language pathologists in both outpatient and school settings were dedicated to my improvement. I remember the joy on my SLP’s face when told me how proud she was and discharged me from speech therapy. My story is a testament to the beauty of teamwork within the realm of speech-language pathology, and this story - my experience - has inspired me to follow in the footsteps of the SLPs whose caring hearts and clinical skills have enabled me to pursue this field of study. The speech services that I received as a child drastically changed the trajectory of my life, and I desire to offer speech-language intervention that allows children and their families to have a similar testimony they can share.