Nazareth College Application Essay Examples

Improved Essays
While all of these experiences have successfully expanded my vat of knowledge and solidified my interest in the field, there is one in particular that has impacted me immensely: interaction with my cousin, Luke, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of three. Throughout the years, I have had the pleasure of observing his progress and the improvements that speech therapy has been able to provide him with. Fortunately, my aunt is a speech-language pathologist; therefore, she recognized the signs and was able to provide Luke with early intervention. The tangible impact that speech therapy has made on Luke’s pragmatic language skills and social behaviors have greatly improved his life, particularly now that he is in elementary …show more content…
Therefore, I have dedicated numerous assignments, research tutorials and reviews, and volunteerism experience to autism spectrum disorder. I have gained knowledge about the potential neuroanatomical basis of the disorder, the current and upcoming therapeutic techniques, and potential pharmacological treatments. My fascination with and personal connection to this disorder are the reasons why Nazareth College is my primary choice for graduate school, as I wish to purse the autism concentration made available to your students. The principle reason that my experience with Luke has solidified my career choice is because of the joy I now see in him that simply was not there before. The improvements in social interaction skills are not merely that—these are skills that changed his entire life. Knowing that giving away my gift to improve someone’s communication abilities to produce such happiness is a priceless feeling. I have been lucky enough to obtain the wonderful feeling vicariously, however, it is now time for me to take the steps necessary to follow this career path in order to experience that feeling on my

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Temple Grandin has become widely known for her advocacy of autism and throughout the book describes medications, new treatment, and advice for teaching and mentoring those with autism. However, treatment can be controversial, overwhelming for a family and provide a false hope for a total cure. Grandin explains that there are many new drug treatments that can be helpful for those with autism, especially for problems that occur after puberty. However, she explains many medical professionals do not know how to prescribe them properly. She believes the proper use of medications is part of a good autism program but that it cannot be a substitute for the proper educational or social programs.1 There have been treatment fads and wild claims about…

    • 307 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    When most people hear the word “autism” they don’t usually think of a top of the line biologist, scientist, writer, and educator. Temple Grandin is the most righteous living possessor of the “right stuff” because of all of her breakthroughs despite the barriers she has had to overcome throughout her life. Grandin was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. However, despite her difficulties during adolescence, she went on to reach incredible academic merits. She earned a degree in psychology, followed by a master’s degree in animal science, and eventually a doctoral degree in animal science.…

    • 430 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Throughout my years in high school so far, I have worked hard and dedicated myself to my studies in order to excel academically. I am honored to receive an invitation to join the National Honors Society. During my freshman and sophomore year, I have participated in many activities and volunteer opportunities that have arisen that demonstrate leadership, service, and character. I pride myself on being a loyal, ambitious, and kind-hearted individual. I exemplify the value of character through assisting members of my community.…

    • 710 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Temple Grandin Biography

    • 1949 Words
    • 8 Pages

    No one knew what autism was in 1947, when Temple Grandin was diagnosed, it was not until 1957 that the behaviors she possessed were labeled as autism (Grandin and Panek 1-2). Despite the time Temple was diagnosed, her mother worked to get her treatment, and to discover new methods to help her daughter. Grandin’s condition is not as severe as some, she is a very high functioning woman, even when faced with her autistic struggles. Although it is different for every individual, there are countless descriptions for autism, that range from mild to very severe neurological complications (Grandin and Duffy 5). This is why autism can be so diverse from one individual to another.…

    • 1949 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Without Jesus, we are nothing. Jesus himself said in the bible that he is the vine and we are the branches. If we remain with him, we will bear fruits, but without him, we will not. While attending university, many Christians derail from their faith because of the temptations they face. Alcohol, drugs, and new philosophies surround them within their college campuses.…

    • 359 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Pathology Paradigm

    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages

    This shows that Walker wants to educate and share about autism. This article, unlike some of his others, is targeted at a more professional audience; this essay was taken out of a chapter of “Disability Studies in Education”, which has a target audience of educators, teachers, and the general population. He gives background information about neurodiversity and the Pathology Paradigm. This…

    • 564 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 45(6), 1699-1711.…

    • 322 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Great Essays

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines Autism Spectrum Disorders as, “a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.” Speech language pathologists, along with other early intervention therapists and parents are able to help children with autism improve their communication and social skills. There are many different therapy techniques that speech language pathologist’s use in collaboration with parents and/or caregivers in order to help children with autism spectrum disorders lead healthier, happier, fuller lives. Two approaches that rely heavily on parent participation in the treatment of autism are Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) and Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT). RDI is a method developed in order to encourage and support parents to increase interactions with their children and therefore develop deeper relationships.…

    • 1467 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    Introduction Background Information on Student Robert* is a 7 year old part time kindergarten student. He attends school Monday, Wednesday and every other Friday. Robert has a medical and educational diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Robert is in a full inclusion setting and receives support from a one on one aid. In addition, he receives push in support from the resource room teacher, speech and language pathologist, occupational therapist and social worker.…

    • 2055 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Introduction “The image often evoked to describe autism is that of a beautiful child in a glass shell.” (Schopler, E., Mesibov, G., 1995) For decades many parents have clung to this notion, of hoping that one day a means might be found to break the invisible barrier. Thus far, no cure has been found. Perhaps the time has come for the image to be shattered. Perhaps the time has come to concentrate, rather, on understanding the minds of the autistic.…

    • 1827 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Daughter Vail Reflection

    • 973 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Today, I spent the afternoon shadowing the Ellison family and their four year old daughter Avery. The Ellison family had traveled for an hour and a half from the Marshalltown region of Iowa to reach the CDD today. This was Avery’s first visit to the CDD and she was scheduled to see audiology, speech therapy, and to have an autism screening. Overall, Avery is a very energetic and happy four year old girl. Avery’s parents seemed very accepting of Avery’s current speech development delays, but are very concerned with the potential diagnosis of autism and this is only coupled by the unfamiliarity of the CDD and the Iowa City area.…

    • 973 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    “History of Autism”. WebMD, LLC. n.p. 2005-2014. Web. 12 October 2014.…

    • 2146 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Autism Research

    • 1174 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Autism is one of the most common yet misunderstood disorders of the modern age. Most Americans do not have a clear understanding of possible causes, what Autism actually is nor possible cures or treatments of this disorder. As autism effects 1 out of every 68 children born in the US annually, there is a large group of individuals whose lives have been touched by this ailment. Despite the large numbers of children and family’s crossing paths with this disorder, it is still not very clearly understood by the average person. An incredibly important step towards the better understanding of this disorder is having the basic facts available for the common man, presented in a way that is easy to understand and able to be parceled out in small components.…

    • 1174 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I was just a small freshman, scared, nervous, and excited about my new adventure at a whole new school with a lot more people. I started off the first semester really strong, ending it with above a 3.0 GPA. Right before the second semester started I lost two very close and influential people in my life that I always looked up to as they helped guide me in my life and wanted me to reach for the moon. Getting the news that my Grandma had passed away from old age and my Aunt dying from a heart attack just a couple weeks later is just the worst thing anybody can ever hear, especially if they were your role models. They were the ones who influenced me to become an accountant and become a CPA, they helped guided me to take the correct classes in school and what I needed to learn and focus on.…

    • 721 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    PECS In Autism

    • 1238 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The three individuals were all boys who had speech scores equivalent to 1 year 9 months or less and all previous methods used to teach speech were ineffective. One subject was 12, one was 3 years 8 months, and one was 5 years 9 months old. All three were diagnosed with autism and the diagnosis was confirmed by two independent agencies. Each individual participated in “biweekly sessions at an after-school behavioral treatment program” (Charlop-Christy, Carpenter, Lee, Leblanc, & Kellet, 2002). The authors were not clear if the sessions occurred two times per week or once every two weeks, but it was likely the former as one session every two weeks does not seem to be appropriate.…

    • 1238 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays