When seeking a speech pathologist for my son with Down syndrome,  I want someone who is loving, kind, and extremely patient; someone who is creative and unafraid to build a relationship and look beyond the disability; someone who sees unlimited potential and who isn’t afraid to make themselves look silly in order to get a verbal reaction from a little boy who may not want to participate; someone with the ability to control and be firm with toddler tantrums yet still gain the trust of a little boy; and most of all, someone who cares about my son beyond the one hour of contracted pay. These are just a few of the outstanding characteristics the pathologists at First Words Speech and Language Clinic have exhibited on a daily basis for almost four years while working with my son two times a week.