Danielle Stitak

About Me

My ultimate and primary career goal is to have the privilege to diagnose children with ADHD and facilitate proactive behavioral and intervention plans for Spanish-speaking families. There is a great misunderstanding and cultural difference in the Spanish-speaking world regarding developmental disorders. My passion lies in bridging this gap—ensuring that these families receive the knowledge, support, and evidence-based interventions and treatments they deserve. I firmly believe that this cannot be done unless I am in the thick of the culture and language to understand it fully. I must deeply understand both the language and cultural nuances that shape perceptions of developmental disorders in Spanish-speaking communities. I do not intend to have this be my only experience in a country where my comfortable and native language isn’t spoken, but since it will be the first, a stepping stone. It will be the most impactful towards the trajectory of my career and education. I will have to continue my education to receive my clinical PhD to further my education and obtain all the necessary certifications and licensure to practice; undoubtedly, this will be the most formative as I prepare for my next level of education. To prepare myself for this time of becoming an effective Spanish-speaking and culturally understanding clinician, as well as conducting research in the field of psychology and Spanish, it is pertinent that I know what the world has to offer me to master not only the language but also immersion and understanding of a culture that is unfamiliar to me. It demands more than theoretical thought and studies; it demands a lived experience, cultural immersion, and direct engagement with the communities that I aim to serve. This scholarship would assist me in meeting my financial plan and needs in multiple ways. As I am fortunate enough to be receiving financial aid for the bulk of my education, any “extra” activities within the university are funded out of pocket. I do not see this as extra; I see it as an essential investment and step to my career and education.