40 Under 40: Robin Alsdorf, speech pathologist

Robin Alsdorf

AGE: 33

FAMILY: Husband Jamie, daughter Camryn and son Tyler.

EMPLOYER: Jackson School District

POSITION: Speech pathologist

COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT:

Active in La Croix Methodist Church. She teaches Sunday school/children's ministry. Active in American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and Robin is active in First Steps of Missouri Program. She owns the business "Beginning Concepts" as well. The business provides in-home visits to children from birth to around 12 years of age. Speech, occupational therapist and special instructors are available to those who need them.

HER TYPICAL DAY:

I get the kids off to school. I work at school three days a week as a speech pathologist. When I'm not at school I work at my full time business. I do evaluations for the state of Missouri to see if children qualify for First Steps services and other duties my business requires.

MOST SATISFYING PART OF HER JOB:

Helping a variety of people who have children with disabilities. Letting them know there is hope. There is help out there.

THE WORST HAIRSTYLE SHE'S EVER HAD:

I got a spiral perm when I was about 14 or 15 years old. It was kinky, curly and thick.

HER FAVORITE SONG FROM THE '80s:

Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl."

HER BIGGEST FIRST-DAY BLOOPER:

Thinking that I knew how the parents of children with disabilities feel before I was even a mother myself. You can't understand until you've been there.

HER MOST EMBARASSING WORK MOMENT:

I visited a family to give an evaluation. My car became stuck in the mud in their driveway. The family had to help me get out. While in the process, I slung mud all over them.