Name: Chelsea McKinnis

Location: San Diego, CA

Mentor Profile:

I knew that I wanted to work with children with disabilities when my brother was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome and ADHD in 2001. While initially I wanted to become a Special Education teacher, I discovered Speech Pathology my sophomore year in high school. Working with young children in different groups at the hospital was incredibly rewarding and brought back many memories of when my brother was younger. While I grew up with him struggling in elementary school, he has grown tremendously and now attends our local high school in all honors classes. I want to be able to make a difference in a family's life just as the therapists did for my brother. While I do want to focus on working with children with Autism, I greatly enjoy working with kids of all disabilities.

Education: Graduated from Scripps Ranch High School in 2010. Currently an undergraduate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Experience: I have been a volunteer in the Speech Pathology Department at Rady Children's Hospital since 2007 and continue volunteering on breaks from school. I am currently studying Speech and Hearing Sciences to become a Speech Pathologist on an emphasis in Autism. I have experience working with kids with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome and Autism.

Hobbies & Skills: I enjoy dance, going to the beach, hanging out with friends and scrapbooking!

Why ExciteSteps? I believe Xcite Steps is an wonderful program to be a part of because it gives mentors great experience working hands on with people with disabilities. I think this is a great organization that allows kids to be able to meet many new people in a safe and fun environment. I am very pleased to be a part of this organization this summer and in the future.

Our Services are available in the following areas:

San Diego (North)

• Rancho Santa Fe
• Del Mar
• Poway
• Encinitas
• Carlsbad
• Carmel Valley

San Diego (South)

• La Jolla
• Clairemont
• Downtown
• Coronado
• El Cajon
• Chula Vista

Orange Country

• Newport Beach
• Dana Point
• Irvine
• Laguna Beach
• Laguna Niguel
• San Clemente