This month, our featured team member is Ashlend Rodriguez, SLP!

Ashlend earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at California State University, Sacramento. She continued her education at New Mexico State University, earning a Master of Arts in Communication Disorders. When asked what originally inspired or drew her to the profession, Ashlend stated, “I have always had a passion for helping others and working with children.”

All of her previous work experience outside of this field has been related to helping others, such as a softball instructor, daycare assistant, or caretaker. After an experience shadowing a speech-language pathologist, Ashlend knew that it was a discipline she could see herself making into a career. She has worked in elementary and middle school settings, pediatric clinic settings, as well as an outpatient rehab hospital.

The diversity of the profession is the aspect Ashlend likes most about her profession. She appreciates that there are so many different areas within the field of practice like swallowing/feeding, AAC devices, speech sound disorders, and executive function skills. Ashlend is excited to have the opportunity to explore these areas throughout her career and find her niche. She also looks forward to taking on new challenges within the field and eventually giving back through training or supervising students as she gains more supervising experience.

When it comes to treatment, Ashlend prioritizes developing meaningful connections with her clients and their families and letting the client lead therapy sessions. She explains that she emphasizes using the client’s interests and strengths to help develop skills that require increased support.

“I enjoy finding new ways to assist clients with reaching their communication goals and seeing their faces light up when they see their hard work lead to success,” says Ashlend.

In her spare time, Ashlend enjoys traveling, hiking, baking, and spending time with family and friends. She is very passionate about helping others and teaching self-advocacy skills to her clients. And, as a former softball player in college, Ashlend is also passionate about sports. “Anything sports or athletic related gets me fired up, in a good way!”

Ashlend describes herself as an outgoing, high-energy clinician that loves helping others. She was born and raised in West Sacramento, CA, and currently resides in Reno, NV. She has lived there for roughly one year and is enjoying what it has to offer thus far. Ashlend mentioned that she loves how there are so many available activities and events going on every week. Exploring the lakes and rivers nearby is another activity she appreciates about the area.

Thank you Ashlend, for being a part of the Tilton’s Team and providing dedicated therapeutic intervention for your clients in Northern Nevada!