Sarah Steward is a second-year graduate student studying Speech-Language Pathology. In the Spring of 2020, she completed a Bachelor of Philosophy degree with a minor in Secondary Education and certificate in American Sign Language at the University of Pittsburgh. Her undergraduate thesis investigated the development of coordinated communication across the transition from crawling to walking in infants at a heightened risk for autism spectrum disorder. Upon graduating, Sarah was awarded the Emma W. Locke Award for her high scholarship, character, and devotion to the ideals of the University of Pittsburgh. She commends the leaders in her field for showing her how to combine research and clinical experiences to serve the greater community.

Sarah knew she wanted to work with children early on. She found a passion for speech-language pathology as a junior in high school after shadowing an SLP at the Children’s Institute. She admired the many ways an SLP could help children with extraordinary needs form connections with others. Throughout her undergraduate career, she worked as an instructional aide at The Watson Institute in Sewickley. She learned invaluable lessons as she moved from class to class and met new children. Her passion for children with special needs has only grown while completing clinical placements at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit – DART, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh South and Lawrenceville, and UPMC Centers for Assistive Technology. Through LEND, Sarah hopes to learn how best to be a leader in her field and an ally for people with disabilities.