By Dave DeFusco
Abegail Farahan鈥檚 passion for speech-language pathology was born from the sounds of three languages echoing through her childhood home. Fluent in Russian, proficient in Farsi and Spanish and raised in a bilingual household hearing Russian and Persian influences, she knows firsthand the power and challenges of communication. Now, as a student in the Katz School鈥檚 M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology, she brings a unique blend of cultural empathy and understanding to her clinical work, helping individuals find their voice鈥攚hether they are children struggling with a speech disorder or an adult recovering from a stroke.
鈥淚 grew up in a home where we spoke two to three languages鈥擡nglish, Russian and my dad鈥檚 Persian, so I also heard Farsi,鈥 said Farahan. 鈥淲hen I was trying to figure out my career path, I thought, 鈥榃ow, I can鈥檛 imagine being in a situation where I can鈥檛 communicate鈥攍ike a child who can鈥檛 even say hi or an adult who lost their language due to a stroke.鈥欌
This realization, combined with her love for Russian鈥檚 clipped consonants and Farsi鈥檚 melodic rhythms, drove her to pursue a career in speech-language pathology. From the start, she knew she wanted to help people express themselves. 鈥淗earing a kid talk for the first time, seeing a stroke patient regain their ability to communicate鈥攊t鈥檚 incredibly special to me.鈥
Farahan鈥檚 externships have reinforced her passion for working with diverse populations. During her time at New York Neurogenic, she worked with a 65-year-old stroke survivor with Broca鈥檚 aphasia. 鈥淗e lost fluency and struggled to find words. One day, he got so frustrated with me that he told me to stop talking,鈥 she said. 鈥淎t first, it stung, but then I put myself in his shoes鈥攈e was trying to relearn how to speak. That moment deepened my patience and empathy.鈥
At Social City, an externship focused on social skills development, she experienced another profound moment of connection that solidified her belief that language is more than words鈥攊t鈥檚 a bridge to trust and understanding.
鈥淭here was a student with Fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects a person鈥檚 development, ability to learn and behavior. When his mother, who is also Russian, asked how his day went, I translated,鈥 said Farahan. 鈥淪he was so relieved to hear about his progress in her native tongue that she offered to hire me privately.鈥
While Farahan appreciates working with adults, she is particularly drawn to pediatric speech pathology. 鈥淐hildren and teenagers have their whole lives ahead of them, and helping them develop communication skills early on can have a lifelong impact,鈥 she said.
One of her most memorable experiences was working with a high school student from an underserved community. 鈥淚 told her, 鈥榊ou鈥檙e really smart, you have the potential to become someone,鈥 and she said, 鈥楴o one has ever told me that before.鈥 To this day, she texts me for reassurance. It鈥檚 these moments that remind me why I chose this field.鈥
Growing up, Farahan sometimes felt out of place with her multicultural background. 鈥淚 was embarrassed because none of my friends had immigrant parents. Now, I think it鈥檚 really cool because it鈥檚 made me more open-minded. Everyone is different, and that鈥檚 a strength.鈥
As Farahan nears graduation in May, she envisions a two-phase career plan. For the first two years, she sees herself working in a school in New York City. Then, she wants to open her own practice focusing on the pediatric population. Her ultimate goal is simple yet profound: to help children find their voice.
鈥淓ven if it鈥檚 just waving, gesturing or or greeting someone,鈥 she said, 鈥渆very step forward in communication is a success.鈥
