From the experience that I have acquired to date, working as a SPLA since 2012, it is clear to me that it takes a very special type of person to treat speech disorders successfully; that empathy, determination and enormous patience, substantial technical knowledge and skills are called for in order to achieve optimum outcomes.  I believe that I possess the necessary personal qualities and characteristics and now seek to acquire the advanced knowledge and skills through enrolment in the program, to equip me to practice as a therapist. I am also very excited to be part of a profession in which constant advances in techniques and materials are being made and I hope to assist in future progress in the field. It is my goal to work in Central or South America with children in underserved communities.

I was a ‘stay at home’ mum until the age of 40, who greatly enjoyed raising my girls. Though I did not pursue a career while they were growing, I was deeply involved in PTA and voluntary activities relating to helping young people, this service included 10 medical missions to Central and South America and one to Egypt. I was the recipient of an award for 8 years of PTA service, which I believe is confirmation of exceptional organizational skills.  

When my children went off to college, I decided to seek a career. I had always loved interacting with children who always react positively to me. Like most parents, I had come across children with communication difficulties and who suffered consequent distress and embarrassment and so decided on Speech Therapy as a way to help children. It is a decision that I have never regretted. I find enormous satisfaction in seeing the joy on a child’s face and their parents’ elation when a milestone is reached.  It might be relevant to state that I am to be nominated as a ‘mom approved’ speech therapist for Dallas/Fort Worth in the November 2016 issue of the DWF Child Magazine. I believe that this is a reflection of my ability and enthusiasm.

I particularly excited to be part of a profession in which constant advances are being made and I hope to assist in future progress in the field. I am very aware of the need to treat every client as unique and to be ready to apply creativity and flexibility in the selection and application of therapeutic techniques and tools.  

I was born in Mexico and came to the US at the age of 5 and so my first language is Spanish. I recall my own struggles communicating in English as a young child and so have some direct understanding of child clients’ feelings of frustration and helplessness. During my volunteer work, my travels and in my career to date, I have interacted positively with people from many ethnic and social backgrounds and have enjoyed doing so. I have also been fortunate enough to have travelled fairly widely. I have made numerous trips to Mexico, I lived in England for three years and for a similar period in the West Indies and have visited Scotland, France, Germany, Egypt and Guatemala. In addition to being bilingual in Spanish and English, I have a basic grasp of Italian and French.

I am aware that it is necessary for dedicated clinicians to have outside interests and recreations to ensure a balanced and well-rounded personality.  I am a marathon runner and a devotee of yoga. My running calls for exceptional levels of determination and a carefully planned regime of training which I shall apply to my future studies and work.

To summarize, I am a successful and experienced SPLA with, I believe, the natural characteristics, passion for the profession, and academic potential to become an excellent therapist.  I can assure the reader of exceptional enthusiastic and diligent participation in the program. I greatly look forward to sharing the fruits of my own professional experience and benefitting from those of my fellows.

Thank you for considering my application.