Mary McMahon received a personal educational experience that gave her the chance to explore her interests in both the undergraduate and graduate programs in speech language pathology.
Mary chose the СAPP for college because it was СAPPthe perfect fit,СAPP she said.
СAPPI thought it was big enough for me to spread my wings but not so big to where I became just a number in any of my classes,СAPP she said. СAPPI was able to get to know my professors and was easily able to schedule meetings with them when I was struggling with a topic in class.СAPP
Mary majored in speech pathology and audiology, a decision she made largely because of her auntСAPPs career as an audiologist. At UL Lafayette, Mary was able to learn about the range of fields and disciplines within speech-language pathology, leading her to discover her passion.
СAPPAlthough many people associate a speech-language pathologist with helping children who struggle with language or speech disorders, IСAPPm passionate about working with adults who have experienced strokes or traumatic brain injuries,СAPP she said.
СAPPThe opportunity to walk alongside a patient and their family on their road to recovery, helping them regain their ability to communicate, is an experience unlike any other.СAPP
She continued that exploration in speech-language pathology in the here at UL Lafayette.
СAPPThe field of speech-language pathology involves so many clinical areas, and all of my professors and clinical supervisors have pushed me to delve into the areas that interest me most,СAPP she said.
СAPPUL Lafayette has one of the few masterСAPPs degree programs for speech-language pathology where electives are offered,СAPP she said. СAPPThis allowed me to learn more about how speech-language pathologists can serve the adult and geriatric populations.СAPP
Mary also got experience working with clients in UL LafayetteСAPPs on-campus through her graduate classes.
Classes in motor speech disorders and neurogenic voice disorders gave her the opportunity to dive deeper into the research and use the information to improve treatment plans for her clients, particularly for people with ParkinsonСAPPs Disease.
СAPPProfessors went above and beyond teaching us the theory behind many of the treatments and interventions we utilize in UL LafayetteСAPPs Speech, Language, and Hearing Center, allowing us to be able to make our own educated decisions when choosing evidence-based practice in our future careers,СAPP she said.
Critically reading research and using it to improve clientsСAPP treatment is the most valuable skill Mary learned in her speech-language pathology program at UL Lafayette.
СAPPThe field of medical speech-language pathology is constantly evolving, meaning that itСAPPs impossible for me to learn everything I need to know for the rest of my career in graduate school,СAPP she said.
СAPPIСAPPm thankful that my professors and clinical supervisors have taught me how to apply clinical research into my therapy sessions and to read research articles with a critical eye, allowing me to continually implement evidence-based practice in my treatment,СAPP she said.