Janitzia Alvarado Paleo

Driven undergraduate student with a strong commitment to improving communication access for underserved populations, particularly within the Latino community. My Mexican-American heritage has instilled in me a deep understanding of cultural and linguistic diversity, which I apply in working with individuals across various abilities. Over time, I have developed practical skills through academic studies and hands-on experiences, preparing me to excel as a future speech-language pathologist dedicated to fostering inclusion and equity in communication.

Completed 30 hours of guided clinical observation at a transitional school, partnering with a 17-year-old autistic girl who exhibited frequent echolalia and faced challenges in social and communication skills. During our interactions, I implemented strategies to support her development, including using structured activities such as games and daily tasks like cleaning to encourage turn-taking, following directions, and practicing simple phrases in context. This experience enhanced my understanding of the importance of individualized interventions in fostering communication, social skills, and independence for autistic individuals.