We were excited when Kendall began her fieldwork at our Eugene clinic in the winter of 2025. At the time, Kendall was a student at the University of Oregon, completing her speech-language pathology training and getting hands-on experience in pediatric therapy. Little did we know that what started as a student placement would become the beginning of her CTD story.
Kendall has an easygoing personality, a great sense of humor, and a natural ability to get on a child’s level. She knows how to turn just about anything into an opportunity for play, while still being intentional about the skills she is working on. Just as importantly, she has a way of connecting with parents and making families feel comfortable and included in their child’s therapy.
During her time at CTD, we got to see Kendall grow in confidence and begin developing her own style as a clinician. She was curious, engaged, and eager to learn, and she quickly became part of the team. It was exciting to watch her grow from a student gaining hands-on experience into a clinician who could bring her own ideas, personality, and creativity into therapy.
By the time her fieldwork came to an end, Kendall had become someone we genuinely hoped would stick around. We knew she had the qualities that make a great pediatric SLP, and we were excited about the possibility of continuing to support her as she began her career.
Starting Her SLP Journey at CTD
I completed the first of my two externship placements at Connect the Dots in the winter of 2025. During that experience, I grew a lot as a clinician and began to build my own clinical style and skills, especially thanks to my two AMAZING supervisors, Katie and Marissa! They were always incredibly kind, supportive, and helpful as I grew my clinical skills and knowledge.
Why Kendall Came Back to CTD
At the end of my externship, Lee and Steph reached out to see if I would be interested in an interview. My experience at CTD had been wonderful, so I was thrilled when they asked if I wanted to come back. One thing that really stood out to me was the built-in mentorship for my clinical fellowship (CFY) year. Completing my CFY at CTD was a great experience because I already knew my mentor, and I was confident I would receive all the support I needed to succeed in my first steps as a new clinician.
Finding Support as a New Pediatric SLP
The staff at CTD is the absolute best. They have created such a fun, encouraging, and supportive work environment, and I feel lucky to be part of it. Plus, it’s a bonus that I get to serve the community I grew up in. Go Ducks!
One of my favorite parts of being a pediatric SLP is getting to witness all of the little moments that can be so big for kids and their families. I’ve gotten to witness parents hear their child say their first word, both with spoken words and AAC devices. I’ve heard stories about kids being understood by their friends for the first time. I get to play games, blow bubbles, help kids learn to chew and explore new foods, and even discover their new favorite snacks!
Building Relationships With Kids and Families
Building relationships with clients and families has become an integral part of my day, and I always look forward to helping kids and families see success both in the clinic and at home.
Life Outside of CTD
When I’m not at CTD, nothing helps me recharge more than a hot cup of tea, a good book or TV show, and spending time with friends and family.
Starting a Career in Pediatric Speech Therapy
Kendall’s story is one of the reasons we love having students at Connect the Dots. Fieldwork can be the beginning of something much bigger, giving students the opportunity to learn, build relationships, and get a feel for what it’s like to be part of a pediatric therapy team.
For Kendall, her fieldwork at CTD became the first step in starting her career as a pediatric SLP right here in the Eugene community she grew up in.
Interested in starting your own pediatric SLP career at Connect the Dots? Learn more about our current opportunities and what it’s like to be part of our team.