Barbara Shadden Interivew
Barbara Shadden ANCDS Interview
What led you to career as SLP? My path to speech-language pathology was anything but direct. It began with a deep desire to become an MD, transitioned to psychology and a wish to pursue social work, and then an unexpected leap of faith into the world of speech-language pathology. I knew nothing about the field but remembered being fascinated by reading the work of Roman Jakobson on the nature of this strange thing called aphasia. And once I returned to the university, I realized I had found the profession for me. When I reflect back on this path, every step served a purpose. I became a different kind of doctor and have used my psychology and social work background daily in my work as an SLP. And of course, aphasia eventually became my passion as my career evolved.