As a child I had severe social anxiety and struggled with communicating to others especially adults. It was hard for me to look other people in the eye and it was hard for me to sit still. Many people did not know how to talk to me, how to help me and it hurt. It felt for some time no one could understand me and that I was alone. And being alone was something I greatly feared. At one point in my childhood a family friend was studying to become a speech therapist and needed a child to practice on for homework and to give a presentation on. My family reached out to him hoping I would be helpful but also to see if what he had learned would be able to help me. After some time I was able to communicate better but I still was full of anxiety. In middle school there was a program for students with anxiety. It was a therapy session with a therapist and a school counselor. My mother signed me up and I was reluctant to attend. After a couple weeks, lecturers and activities I saw a difference in myself. I became more open to sharing in front of the other students in the program and found confidence in myself I never had before. As I got older my private lesson teacher for violin son was getting introduced to speech therapy. Since the third grade I had sat in her living room on a cushioned stool practicing with her while her son was on the couch jumping. He had autism and struggled with sitting still. After a couple months of his therapy sessions he began to sit still and calmly. Seeing him change first hand had open my eyes. I am extremely grateful for how speech therapy has helped me as child and had helped others in my life. I wish to become one so I can help other children like me and my teachers son. Speech therapy is now reaching the point where it is greatly needed. So many children are suffering and struggling with delayed speech and no communication skills especially those with autism as it is now more common in children then it ever has been before. Without communication skills they will not be able to do their best in school and in life. I strive and wish to change that. I want to help kids and to some that seems boring or difficult, but they are our future, our future leaders, our future inventors and achievers. Teaching and helping children will better society and give them a chance. I chance I got to have, a chance that I was given as a scared anxious quiet helpless child.