Communication - the process of being able to understand and to be understood - is something most of us take for granted.

Communication disabilities are the result of problems with speech, using and understanding language, voice, fluency, hearing, or reading and writing. A speech and language pathologist works with children with communication disorders. Communication disorders include articulation, language, hearing, voice and fluency delays. Approximately 15% of school age children will have a communication disorder and see a speech and language pathologist. Speech-language pathologists often work as part of a team, which may include teachers, physicians, audiologists, psychologists, social workers, rehabilitation counselors and others.

I have been a speech pathologist for over 20 years. I received my undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University and my Master's degree from Northwestern University. I have been working in Portage Schools for 14 years. I have two college age sons and one son who plays football for Portage High School. I chose to be a speech pathologist when I was a young girl because both of the grandparents were deaf and I learned a lot about people with communication problems from them.