Hello! My name is Alysia, and I am a student with the genetic counseling program at Boise State University. I have lived in the greater Seattle area for my entire life, and currently live in Bothell, Washington. As part of a school project last Spring, I shadowed a virtual ataxia support group meeting. I really enjoyed meeting with this group and learning more about their experiences with ataxia, including hearing about peoples’ experiences with genetics as part of their medical care.

As part of my program, I am doing a capstone project consisting of an educational presentation to support groups about genetic counseling. This presentation covers genetic counseling, including what it is, how to find a genetic counselor, and what to expect in an appointment. It also explores genetic testing, its role in ataxia, and resources for more information. The presentation is ~10-15 minutes. I’m happy to try to help and answer any questions you may have about genetic counseling and appreciate any feedback. Looking forward to meeting with you!