Allie Kowal

CSDS 691
Introductory Statement

I am currently a second-year graduate student at Longwood University

pursuing a Master of Science degree in communication sciences & disorders
(speech-language pathology). Prior to attending Longwood University, I
earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences & disorders
from James Madison University. My initial interest in speech-language
pathology came unexpectedly during my undergraduate career when my
two-year old cousin, Anthony, was diagnosed with childhood apraxia of
speech. I was intrigued by Anthonys journey and amazed as his speech-
language pathologist transformed a frustrated and shy child into a strong
and confident communicator. I knew I had a definitive purpose to help
individuals struggling to communicate. This experience would define my
undergraduate career at James Madison University and solidify my desire to
become a speech-language pathologist.

Throughout the course of my graduate and undergraduate careers, I

have had the opportunity to work with individuals across the lifespan with a
wide variety of communication disorders. While attending James Madison
University, I volunteered weekly at a local speech and language center to
observe a certified speech-language pathologist provide speech-language
services to the pediatric community of Harrisonburg, Virginia. This
opportunity opened my eyes to the roles and responsibilities of speech-
language pathologists, as well as the business aspects of the field. During
my clinical experience with Henrico County Public School System, I spent a
significant amount of time working with children who have Autism Spectrum
Disorder, intellectual disabilities, articulation & phonological disorders,
language disorders, and other health impairments. Currently, I am
completing my final externship at Hanover Health & and Rehab Center to
develop my clinical skills in medical speech pathology. I have the opportunity
to serve adult patients who have speech, language, voice, and/or swallowing
disorders.

I believe that my coursework from both James Madison University and

Longwood University will provide me with the necessary knowledge and skills
to become an entry-level speech-language pathologist. This will enable me to
serve dynamic populations of individuals with communication disorders. As a
professional, I will bring the value of hard work, enthusiasm, and a positive
attitude; and I hope to one day make a long-term impact on the lives of
individuals in need.

This website is my professional portfolio for Longwood Universitys

Communication Sciences and Disorders Program (M.S.). My professional
portfolio contains artifacts from my clinical experiences and academia
throughout my development in the CSDS program. For more information,
please contact Alexandra Kowal at Kowalam91@gmail.com.