Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP

First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

First Bite is your go-to resource for all things pediatric speech therapy–covering pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, lactation, AAC, early language acquisition, advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration. Designed to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice, the podcast brings functional, evidence-based insights straight to clinicians serving little ones and their caregivers. Whether you’re a student, seasoned practitioner, researcher, or interprofessional partner, First Bite invites you to listen, learn, and grow alongside a supportive community. Gain the confidence...

Author

Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP

Category

Education

Podcast website

www.speechtherapypd.com

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

Where to listen?

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Episodes

Banishing Basic Feeding Myths in the World of Pediatrics 13.05.2025

Free PFD in Schools Seminar (.6 ASHA CEU): www.speechtherapypd.com/pfd This conversation originally aired September 26, 2018 - an all new season of First Bite will return on May 27, 2025. Earn .1 ASHA CEU for this episode: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Banishing-Basic-Feeding-Myths-in-the-World-of-Pediatrics-48 Hosts: Michelle Dawson MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S and Erin Forward MSP, CCC-...

Never Fear! Dr. Kay Toomey and SOS Feeding is Here! 06.05.2025

Free PFD in Schools Seminar (.6 ASHA CEU): www.speechtherapypd.com/pfd This interview with Dr. Kay Toomey originally aired January 19, 2019, an all new season of First Bite will return on May 27, 2025. Earn .1 ASHA CEU for this episode: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Never-Fear-Dr-Kay-Toomey-and-SOS-Feeding-are-Here-243 In this engaging episode of the 'First Bite' podcast, host Michel...

Dr. Patrick Reeves, MD | Bowels-Brain-Belly Interaction 26.03.2025

Guest: Patrick "Pat" Reeves MD, FAAP, DABOM, MAJ, MC, USA Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=BowelsBellyBrain-Interaction In this insightful podcast episode, join host Michelle as she engages in a detailed conversation with Dr. Patrick Reeves, a pediatric gastroenterologist working with the military. They discuss a range of signif...

DIR and Selective Mutism with Dr. Joleen Fernald, PhD 18.03.2025

Guest: Joleen Fernald, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=DIR-and-Selective-Mutism In this episode, host Erin welcomes Jolene Fernald, an expert in selective mutism and DIR floor time, to discuss the complexities of selective mutism, neurodiversity, and how to support children who struggle with communication i...

Bridging NICU to Home: Best Practices with Tiffany Elliott 11.03.2025

Guest: Tiffany Elliott, MS CCC-SLP, CNT, IBCLC Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Bridging-NICU-to-Home In this special birthday episode of First Byte, Michelle Dawson, a devoted therapist and mother, explores the intricate journey from NICU to home with expert Tiffany Elliott. They discuss practical strategies for caregivers in m...

Neurodiversity Affirming Feeding Therapy: Where do I Start? with Amy Zembriski 04.03.2025

Guest: Amy Zembriski, MBA, MS, CCC-SLP Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Neurodiversity-Affirming-Feeding-Therapy-Where-do-I-Start In this episode of First Bite, host Michelle Dawson introduces a valuable conversation between Erin Forward and Amy Zimbrisky, a seasoned speech therapist specializing in neurodiversity affirming feed...

Discovering the Leader in You with Ashley Munoz Lopez 25.02.2025

Guest: Ashley Muñoz López MBA, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Discovering-the-Leader-in-You In this episode, Michelle Dawson introduces the theme of leadership within the field of speech pathology. Michelle shares insights from her recent experience at the Feeding Matters conference, highlighting the importa...

Floortime for the SLP with Dyan Dickerson 18.02.2025

Guest: Dyan Dickerson MA, CCC-SLP Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Floortime-for-the-SLP In this episode of First Bite, Michelle and Erin welcomes Dyan Dickerson, a certified expert in DIR Floortime and feeding, to explore the intricacies of the Floortime model. Listeners get an inside look into the principles of DIR (Developmen...

Intersection of Faith between Clinician and Client with Dr. Travis Threats 11.02.2025

Guest: Travis Threats, PhD, CCC-SLP GoFundMe link referenced in intro: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-chriss-love-legacy-through-his-daughters Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=A-Conversation-on-the-Intersection-of-Faith-between-Clinicia In this heartfelt episode of 'First Bite,' host Michelle Dawson and guest Dr. Travis Thr...

The Medical Domain of Pediatric Feeding Disorder with Dr. Richard Noel 04.02.2025

Guest: Dr. Richard Noel, MD Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=The-Medical-Domain-of-Pediatric-Feeding-Disorder In this episode, Dr. Richard Noel joins the discussion to shed light on Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and its medical domain. Dr. Noel shares his journey to becoming a pediatric GI specialist and explores the critical...

Sensory Detective Part 2: A Closer Inspection with Jennifer Ruckner and Beth Cooper 28.01.2025

Guests: Jennifer Ruckner, MS CCC-SLP, and Beth Cooper, MOT, OTR/L Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Sensory-Detective-Part-2-A-Closer-Inspection In this episode, Michelle is joined once again by Jennifer Ruckner, MS CCC-SLP, and Beth Cooper, MOT, OTR/L, for “Sensory Detective Part 2: A Closer Inspection”. In “Part 1” (#3660), Jen...

Burnout and Mindfulness for the SLP: The Conversations We Need to be Having with Dr. Angelyn Franks 21.01.2025

Guest: Angelyn Franks, SLPD, CCC-SLP Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Burnout-and-Mindfulness-for-the-SLP-The-Conversations-we-Nee Join Erin and Dr. Angelyn Franks in an honest conversation about a topic that most SLPs don’t dive into but have experienced at one time or another: burnout. Dr. Angelyn Franks provides an authentic...

Establishing PFD and Dysphagia Services in the Schools with Carolyn Dolby 14.01.2025

Guest: Carolyn Dolby MS, CCC-SLP Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Establishing-PFD-and-Dysphagia-Services-in-the-Schools In this episode, Michelle and Erin are joined by none other than Carolyn Dolby, MS, CCC-SLP, host of the “School of Speech” podcast, and sought-after speaker for how to implement pediatric feeding disorder and...

Taking a Bite Out of Trauma-Informed Care with Rachel Archambault 08.01.2025

Guest: Rachel Archambault, MA CCC-SLP (@PTSD.SLP) Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Taking-a-Bite-out-of-TraumaInformed-Care In this episode, Michelle and Erin are joined by Rachel Archambault, an SLP Program Specialist for Broward County Public Schools and passionate colleague behind the @PTSD.SLP social media advocacy account....

Feeding Matters: Leading the Way for ARFID and PFD with Jaclyn Pederson, MHI and William Sharp, PhD 03.01.2025

Guests: Jaclyn Peterson, MHI and William Sharp, PhD Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Feeding-Matters-Leading-the-Way-for-ARFID-and-PFD In the first episode of 2025, Michelle is joined by Jaclyn Pederson, MHI, CEO of Feeding Matters, and William Sharp, PhD, Director of Children’s Multidisciplinary Feeding Program (Atlanta, GA) and Profes...

SimplyThick, IDDSI, and Compassionate Clinical Implications with John Holahan 31.12.2024

Guest: John Holahan, President of SimplyThick, LLC Earn .1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Simply-Thick-IDDSI-and-Compassionate-Clinical-Implications Join Michelle as she welcomes John Holahan, President of SimplyThick, LLC and co-author of Modern Dysphagia Cookbook, for the final episode of 2024. John shares the story behind SimplyThic...

Unlocking the Power of “CBIS” for our Patients with Kara Jones 23.12.2024

Guest: Kara Jones M.A. CCC-SLP, CBIS Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Unlocking-the-Power-of-CBIS-for-our-Patients In this episode, Michelle is joined by Kara Jones, M.A. CCC-SLP, CBIS, Past President of the Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and Dr. Robert A. Hull, Leadership Award recipient, to discuss all things “Ce...

PFD Goal Writing: Case Studies to Making Mealtime Mirth and Merriment 10.12.2024

In this episode, Michelle and Erin are back at it to spend an hour dedicated to pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) goal writing. After spending 280+ episodes growing our evidenced-based practice, we have evolved how we write our PFD goals big-time! So, wrap up your year discovering functional resources for combating ableism and antiquated deficits-based writing, and join the ladies of “First Bite” t...

ASHA Advocacy and the Community of Ambassadors with Shawna Ross 04.12.2024

Guest: Shawna Ross, MS, CCC-SLP In this episode, Michelle is joined by Shawna Ross, MS, CCC-SLP, founder of Sierra Therapy Group, a pediatric private practice in Reno, NV, and passionate SLP volunteer, who is currently serving on ASHA’s Committee of Ambassadors, as the SLP Member for Nevada. As colleagues from around the globe are gearing up for “Elevate!” ASHA Convention 2024 in Seattle, WA, Mich...

Reframing "Trying it”: Neurodivergent Opportunities for PFD with Marsha Dunn Klein 03.12.2024

Guest: Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd, FAOTA In this episode, Michelle and Erin are joined by THE Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd, FAOTA, founder of the “Get Permission Institute” for part two of a four-part miniseries on Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD)! In this hour, Marsha discusses the evidenced-based neurodivergent affirming PFD shifts behind the “try it” approach for intervention. If you have e...

From Table to Tummy with Heidi Liefer Moreland 14.11.2024

Guest: Heidi Liefer Moreland, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC In this episode, Michelle is joined by the one and only Heidi Liefer Moreland, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC, Clinical Coordinator with Thrive Tube-Weaning Program, cohost of the podcast “Tube to Table,” published author and researcher, and internationally sought after speaker! For this hour-long conversation, Heidi shares her evidence-based approach...

Interprofessional Education and Practice for the SLP Working with Reading with Lisa Bowers 08.11.2024

Guest: Lisa Bowers, PhD, CCC-SLP In this episode, Michelle is joined by the charismatic Lisa Bowers, PhD CCC-SLP, Chair of the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorder's (CAPCSD) IPE/IPP committee, and Director of the Service Learning Initiative at the University of Arkansas. Lisa, a passionate advocate for the speech-language pathologist working to improve children’s la...

Fundamental Shifts in Pediatric Feeding Disorder with Marsha Dunn Klein 25.10.2024

Guest: Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd, FAOTA - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Marsha, founder of the “Get Permission Institute,” for part one of a four-part miniseries on Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD)! To kick off the miniseries, Marsha discusses the evidence-based PFD shifts that have occurred over the last few years… shifts that come from listening to and elevating neurodivergent voice...

AAC From Start to Finish in the Pediatric Outpatient Setting with Claire Martin 18.10.2024

Guest: Claire Martin, M.Ed., CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Claire, a recent James Madison University Speech-Hearing-Association of Virginia Leadership and Advocacy Academy graduate, to discuss all things AAC. Claire creates a safe space to walk us through the process of establishing accessible AAC for outpatient clinics, explains the requirements for submitting a permanent devic...

Advocating for Neurodiversity Affirming Care: A Caregiver’s Perspective with Brooke Nutting 11.10.2024

Guest: Brooke Nutting - Join Erin and Brooke, a mother of an autistic child, in this deep and heartfelt discussion regarding advocating for children and their right to neurodiversity-affirming care. Erin and Brooke discuss the challenges of finding the right team and knowing what is right for your child in a world full of voices thinking they know best. As clinicians, we discuss the importance of...

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