Name: Aubrey DeHaan
Hometown: Hudsonville, Mich.
Graduation Date: May 2015
Company: Eaton RESA, Holbrook Early Childhood Center
Amount of time at internship: September - December 2015
How did you become interested in becoming a speech-language pathologist?
I was tagging along with my older sister at a college visit going through all of the medical programs when I was first introduced to speech-language pathology. I was interested immediately. The following year, my senior year of high school, I was re-introduced to the field through the nearby elementary school where I was a teacher's assistant. From there, I went on a job shadow and eventually enrolled in college courses that worked toward a profession in speech-language pathology.
Tell us about your graduate school journey?
I completed my undergraduate at Grand Valley State University and was thrilled when I was accepted into the master's program at Michigan State University for the fall of 2014. The courses here at MSU have taught me a lot about the field of speech-language pathology and have encouraged both my clinical knowledge and confidence. I have had unique internship experiences that have reinforced information taught in the courses here at MSU and have given important insight into the field. So far, I have completed internships with schools through Ingham ISD and with McLaren Neurological Rehabilitation Institute.
Describe the clinical setting and population you are working with at your current internship?
At Holbrook Early Childhood Center, I am working with children enrolled in Great Start Readiness Program preschool classrooms. It is a new program with inclusive classrooms and all services are provided by pushing into these classes. It is a very team-based program where the professionals must come together to share their skillset with each other to find the best way to teach each child. The speech and language activities are integrated into lessons throughout the day so the children's goals can be targeted often and in a natural environment.
How has your internship helped prepare you for your career?
This internship has definitely helped to reinforce the importance of teamwork in the workplace. I have seen many children benefit from the hard work of the professionals at Holbrook. Additionally, this setting has given me more confidence and skills in behavior management, providing therapy to groups, and adapting a single activity to the level of difficulty each child needs. I have had many positive experiences here at Holbrook and am excited to apply all that I have learned here to my future internship and career.
