Michelle Awesome is a speech-language pathologist who completed her Bachelor's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Eastern Michigan University (2007), and her Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wayne State University (2010). She discovered the field of speech-language pathology in 2004 while attending pre-nursing classes at Henry Ford Community College, when she began working at a speech clinic. The joy of seeing people learn to build human connections with each other through language skills is the reason she decided to join the field of speech-language pathology.
Unbeknownst to her at the time, Michelle's interest in assistive technology began in elementary school, when her grandfather showed her how he used switches and joysticks to adapt his Tandy home computer to accommodate his physical impairments.
Michelle's passion is advocacy to increase access to communication services and supports for people living in Southeast Michigan. AAC became a focus during her career at DPSCD once she saw what a huge difference it makes for people who need it. Implementation and access are key focus areas. She is a full-time speech-language pathologist at Detroit Public Schools Community District, where she provides services at Jerry L White Center High School. Her experience includes a wide variety of clients in the public, charter, and private school settings. She also provides support and resources to colleagues within the district through Wayne RESA's assistive technology coaching program, which has been a great opportunity to learn more about expanding AAC access and capacity through available resources in the largest school district in Michigan.
Michelle enjoys working with people who use AAC, their families, and people who support them at school. It is a joy to assist people with accessing supports they need to fully participate, autonomously, on their own terms.
