Jessica Rios

Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant, SLPA

I grew up with a nephew who is profoundly deaf. At an early age, I decided to learn sign language so as to communicate with him and to help him communicate with his family. While in high school, I realized that working with the deaf population was exactly what I wanted to do.

I’m going on 5 years with Hope now, and I’ve loved every minute of it. Today, I am proficient in American Sign Language (ASL), Signing Exact English (SEE), Auditory Verbal Training and Beckman Oral Motor Techniques.

There are so many memories that I’ve made at Hope, but one stands out from the rest. One day while at work, I walked to the lobby to call in one of my patients, a beautiful 3-year old with profound hearing loss.

I stopped before opening the door as I caught a glimpse of her through the window. She was twirling and dancing blissfully around the lobby with her eyes closed. It was as if time had stopped.

I so wanted to hear the song she was dancing to, a song so pure that only she could hear. I thank God for letting me rejoice in that moment every time I see her.