First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

Guest: Emily Zimmerman, Ph. D, CCC-SLP - Have you ever heard of NNS? In this episode, Michelle is joined by Dr. Emily Zimmerman, a speech-language pathologist, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, the Associate Chair for Research and Innovation at Northeastern University, and director of the Speech and Neurodevelopment Lab (SNL). Dr. Zimmerman describes...

Guest: Amy Holbert, MSW, LISW-CP - In this episode, Michelle and Amy spend this hour discussing the role of this federally recognized “PTI,” how to empower caregivers for success with IEP advocacy, and how they support caregivers in pursuing medically necessary insurance in South Carolina. While “Family Connection” may be unique to SC, the role of PTIs and non-profit advocacy occurs everywhere, so...

Guest: Natalie Douglas, Ph. D., CCC-SLP - Natalie discusses the critical deficits in the traditional research-to-practice model and the current trends that are working to address the shortages and breakdowns. She offers hope and functional advice on how clinicians can collaborate with researchers to create a holistic circular model in which researchers and clinicians inform and guide each other’s...

Guest: Rylee Klocow, MS, CF-SLP - This episode is an incredibly intimate project that holds deep personal meaning for all of us. However, it is especially powerful for Rylee, as she is the younger sister of an augmentative and alternative communication user. If you have ever wondered about the role of a caregiver in acquiring and successfully utilizing an AAC device, then this is for you. We will...

Guest: Alyson Ware, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Alyson discusses the process as a community-based clinician to improve continuity of care for medically complex patients discharged from the NICU. If you’ve ever wondered what occurs in early intervention, the SLP’s role on the team, the common barriers to NICU discharges, and want strategies to smooth the transition for your patients, this episod...

Guest: Sam Walker, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD - This course will provide information geared toward empowering speech-language pathology graduate students and the new clinician. If you’ve just entered your clinical fellowship year and are overwhelmed about what challenges you could face professionally, clinically, or even with respect to supervision, then don’t fret. Sam and Michelle are here to empower yo...

Guest: Kerrie Mansfield Rigberg, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Kerrie, a highly trained pediatric speech-language pathologist, with experience in the NICU, PICU, Inpatient Pediatric Rehabilitation, Private Practice, and teletherapy. She is here today to talk about the empowering role of yoga for both our pediatric patients, as well as for the treating clinician. Kerrie, who...

In this episode, Michelle and Erin discuss functional strategies for getting a pediatric patient started. If you are in the world of pediatric private practice (home health and/or a clinic), this is the hour for you. Michelle and Erin share easy-to-implement strategies for how to ethically triage a waitlist, the process of completing comprehensive dynamic assessments, as well as share some of thei...

Guest: Memorie M. Gosa, PhD., CCC-SLP, BCS-S - If you love pediatric feeding disorders and deep diving into research to practice on this topic, then this is the hour for you. Michelle and Dr. Gosa tackle pediatric feeding disorders and the public schools, baby-led weaning, favorite dysphagia resources, as well as a sneak peek for the pediatric feeding disorder track at this year’s ASHA 2022.

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...