First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

Guest: Stephen Kneece, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Stephen Kneece, who is a highly skilled augmentative and alternative communication specialist, inspires us all with his practical insight into how to select the ideal access approach for the little ones that we serve. If you work with medically complex pediatric patients and need insight into direct versus indirect access, troubleshooting commo...

In this episode, Michelle and Erin discuss a topic dear to their hearts: busting common myths surrounding the utilization of speech-generating AAC devices in early intervention. The ladies of First Bite spend this hour empowering listeners on the steps to initiate a speech-generating device (SGD) trial within the world of EI, how to overcome common barriers such as the myth “but the device will pr...

Guest: Cuyler Romeo, M.O.T., OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC - In this course, our guest Cuyler, who is a PFD advocate extraordinaire, discusses the recent changes to best practices for NICU discharge for infants with a pediatric feeding disorder. She highlights updates from the National Perinatal Association, discusses common barriers to successful discharge, and best yet how we can engage in improved contin...

Guest: Marina Shipilova, MS, CCC-SLP - In this course, the presenter discusses her successful strategies for connecting with families from different cultures, the most common empowering advice she gives to families, and how to hold crucial conversations to embolden caregivers when barriers exist to accessing the highest quality services available to them. Michelle and Marina share some of their mo...

Guest: Raquel Garcia, SLPD, CCC-SLP, CNT, BCS-S - In this course, the presenter discusses hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and how this devastating diagnosis can result in pediatric dysphagia. We learn about new resources and organizations, such as “Hope for HIE”, that are educating and advocating interprofessional practice partners and caregivers about the most current research to advance th...

Guest: Jennifer Casteix, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, discuss how to mentor the next generation of pediatric feeding disorder clinicians. Do you have a waitlist a mile-long for your services? Do you have a calling to do “more” for our profession, but are unsure of where to begin? Do you have a bit of wit along with your PFD wisdom and a desire to share it? Then join Jennifer as she inspires us t...

In this episode, Michelle and Erin will focus on clarifying the differences between “playful” and “play-based” language therapy and how this approach can make your therapy more functional and fun! The power of “play” is one of the most powerful tools in our toolboxes even recognized and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. But, how do we embrace this approach effectively and overcome...

Guests: Kylie Jeffrey, MS, OTR/L & Serena Murison, MS, CCC-SLP - This episode is an hour dedicated to understanding what neurodiversity-affirming intervention is. The guests explore some evidence-based sources of information regarding this fundamental shift in clinical service delivery, and most importantly functional strategies to effectively implement this approach.

Guest: Jessie L. Ginsburg, M.S., CCC-SLP - Jessie joins the ladies of First Bite and explores what sensory integration is and why speech-language pathologists need to understand its impact. They will also discuss the speech-language pathologists’ role in implementing sensory strategies as well as describe two strategies for improving regulation during pediatric speech therapy sessions.

Michelle and Erin discuss how a little one’s diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) can impact functional communication and potentially result in a pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). It is important for a clinician to understand how the four major groups of CP differentiate from one another because each presentation comes with its own treatment considerations given unique comorbidities. Join Michelle and...

Guest: Ed Bice, MEd., CCC-SLP - Have you ever taken a course and thought, “Wow! Yes! This is what my patients need!” and then felt a little embarrassed at how you were previously treating their dysphagia deficits? Why do we have those dysphagia competency concerns, to begin with? If you have ever asked the “why,” then join Michelle and Ed as they explore the limitations in professional preparednes...

Guest: Rachel Hahn Arkenberg, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC - In this course, the guest shares a dynamic systems approach to studying the neurophysiological development of swallowing in the context of family, culture, language, and motor development. Rachel explains the barriers to obtaining high-quality evidence for treatment of pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), challenges us to critically assess the evidence...

Guests: Cara Smithwick, MLIS, BS, and Mary Reaves, MRC - The guests discuss all things collaboration for advocacy and education with deaf/hard of hearing children and their caregivers. Cara and Mary, who founded Beginnings SC as a labor of love for improved education and empowerment of parents/caregivers of deaf/hard of hearing children, start the hour outlining the steps taken to create a life-ch...

Feeding Matters is known internationally for placing the caregiver at the heart of the interprofessional practice (IPP) team for a little one with a PFD but do you know why this is so critical? Do you know why it is vital for each PFD IPP team to have an occupational therapist also involved in the little one’s care? Our guests will share current evidence-based practice for why these team members a...

Guests: ToniAnn Gambella Loftus, MS. CCC-SLP/TSSLD and Liza Bernabeo, MS, CCC-SLP/TSSLD - This course discusses the evidence behind implementing messy play for the treatment of pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) in schools. Are you a school-based clinician new to the world of PFD? Or are you a seasoned veteran who is new to the world of child-led and play-based therapy? If you said yes to either que...

Guest: Meg Proctor, MS, OTR/L - The guest shares her passion for what neurodiversity-affirming practice means and why it should matter to the pediatric speech-language pathologist. She guides us through a crucial conversation about what practice shifts we need to make when working with autistic kids, what barriers clinicians can face when implementing strengths-based neurodiversity-affirming pract...

Guest: Missy Schraeder, PhD, CCC-SLP, CALT-QI, C-SLDS - If you're an SLP who works with preschoolers and elementary-age children that have a severe and profound communication disorder and/or dyslexia, then this is for you. In this course, Dr. Missy Schraeder and Michelle spend time sharing functional strategies that can be implemented with your patients tomorrow.

Michelle and Erin discuss the purpose of play in treating pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). Erin, who holds a Basic DIR® Floortime Provider Certification and a TBRI® Trained Practitioner, highlights the importance of play. Did you know that play has a therapeutic purpose and role in treatment, especially for pediatric feeding disorder? Join in to learn more about play and its therapeutic role.

Guest: Brooke Beilman, MS, CCC-SLP - In this course, Brooke shares insight into different leadership styles, her favorite resources to learn how to grow as a leader, strategies for working through differences in leadership styles, and most importantly why leadership growth is important to the clinician in the field.

Guest: Renee Garrett, MSEd, CCC-SLP, CBIS - As clinicians in speech-language pathology and audiology, we are tasked with providing services to all ages, ethnicities, gender expressions/identifications, races, national origins, and disabilities. During the last decade, more awareness and emphasis has been placed on identifying and understanding health disparities. Renee is here to inspire us to bet...

Guest: Amy Graham, MS, CCC-SLP - Do you love the phonemic alphabet? Dream about deep analysis of speech sound error patterns? Or just love unlocking the mysteries behind the differences between articulation disorders versus phonological disorders versus motor speech disorders? If you said “Yes” to all of the above, then this is the hour for you! If you said “No” to all of the above, (maybe panic s...

Guest: Megan Branham, LMSW - In this episode, Michelle is joined by her favorite child advocate and social worker, Megan Branham LMSW, to discuss a topic near to both their hearts, that is, community support for caregivers. If our caregivers are in crisis or even in a time of need, they cannot be fully present and engaged in speech therapy for the little ones we are called to serve. So, where does...

Guest: Angie Neal, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle is joined by the dynamic Angie Neal, MS CCC-SLP, for an hour to discuss the intersection of language and literacy. Angie, who keeps every audience on the edge of their seat with laughter and love, shares her extensive knowledge on how an SLP can become involved in a child’s journey in literacy. In addition, she explains how phonological aw...

Michelle and her favorite co-host Erin Forward, MSP CCC-SLP, CLC, relive the best parts of the 2021 ASHA Convention: Rising United related to all things pediatric feeding disorder. To celebrate the inaugural pediatric feeding and swallowing disorder track, Michelle and Erin attended several courses and are bringing their favorite new facts directly to you! So, whether your current clinical setting...

Guest: Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP, CLC - Today on the First Bite Podcast we are running through some very important information for our community and listeners! We will be tackling the subject of ethics for Pediatric Feeding Disorders and going over some of the new PFD codes that have been introduced. We also offer some helpful examples and implications, as well as the best resources for you to ge...