About Me

Welcome to my blog which I called Speech-Language Love because of my love for the field of speech-language pathology! I also had to include LOVE in my title because I work with many students with complex communication needs (CCN) and there is a wonderful organization called 3ELove and they are trying to change the world's view of disabilities.

"3E Love is more than living disabled but is simply about living. Everyone has the freedom to live their life. We challenge you to do what you love, because you'll meet some amazing people along the way, and that, our friends, is how you'll enjoy this ride that 3E Love calls, life.

Embrace diversity. Educate your community. Empower each other. Love life."
- 3E Love Founder, Annie Hopkins (1984-2009)

3ELove has inspired me to become better and more passionate about what I do for my students with disabilities! Everyday is a challenge to get my students to communicate effectively, especially my students with complex communication needs with limited or no verbal output. I live for that moment when they are able to communicate an authentic message and teachers report back to me or parents tell me of their successes at home! 

On more of a personal note...

I grew up in the wonderful state of Indiana in a small town with a population of only 1000! Now that's a pretty small town where everyone knows everyone! My thirst for knowledge and desire to continue learning took me away from my hometown to study speech and hearing sciences at Indiana University. During my time at Indiana, I met a wonderful college boy named Adam, who later became my best friend and husband. 

We got hitched and moved away to Iowa to attend graduate school and have been here for four years now. I've been working as a speech-language pathologist for the past two years in the schools and I love my job! I also love our adorable puggle, Nadia, and our cat, Cookie! In April we were blessed to find out that we have a baby on the way, and in August we learned that he's a little boy! We are anxiously anticipating his arrival expected for mid-December. My furry babies here don't have any idea what changes December will bring to their lives; and I imagine Adam and I don't really know either!

Please note that my posts and the opinions on this blog are no reflection of my current employer or future employers and are simply my opinions! I hope you enjoy my blog! ~Lauren