SLP Learning Hour

Join host Michelle Dawson as she dives into all things Dysphagia in this special 9-episode series made in conjunction with the Dysphagia Outreach Project titled "Understanding Dysphagia." If you have ever dreamed about working in a NICU, or if you work in Early Intervention or an outpatient pediatric clinic, and have wondered what potentially could have happened with the little one before arriving...

In this episode, Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, discusses how anxiety can impact children’s food inventory and desire to eat. She also discusses the importance of parent coaching when services might not be appropriate and the use of a responsive feeding framework.

In this episode, Laura Hellfeld, RN, MSN, PHN, CNL, and Sleep Practitioner, shares her experience as a neurodivergent individual with selective eating tendencies. She discusses her experience with feeding therapy, the importance of access to the same foods, and the importance of neurodiversity-affirming feeding therapy. To wrap up the episode, Laura shares tips for working with parents of selectiv...

Guest: Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd, FAOTA - In this episode, Marsha shares the importance of meeting a child where they are at by considering all factors that can shape an individual’s eating experience, including sensory differences, past experiences, trauma, and relationships. Marsha also shares the importance of intrinsic motivation and her journey of redefining the “try it” concept and rethi...

Guest: Diane Bahr, MS, CCC-SLP, CIMI - In this Making Sense of Selective Eating episode, Diane discusses the importance of feeding development in advancing diet textures and provides a brief overview of oral sensory-motor development and how it supports feeding/eating/drinking progress.

Guest: William Sharp, PhD - Dr. Sharp shares the role a psychologist takes on a feeding team and an overview of the psychosocial domain of PFD. He then shares about when an SLP should refer to a psychologist before diving into sharing about Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.

Guest: Praveen Goday, MD - In this episode, Dr. Goday discusses the importance of the medical domain of PFDs. Listen in as Dr. Goday shares how gastrointestinal disorders can impact eating preferences, nutrition, and weight loss and when an SLP should be referred.

Guest: Raquel Durban, MS, RD, LD/N - In this episode, Raquel is the featured guest who discusses the dietician's role on the PFD team. Raquel shares how the dietician works with SLPS and other team members, the importance of compassionate global care, and how nutritional deficiencies can impact selective eaters.

Guest: Lily Gulion, MS, OTR/L, and PhD student - In this episode, Lily joins Madi to discuss how pediatric feeding disorders can be addressed in schools and the importance of inclusive mealtimes. Listen in as she shares how mealtimes are included in the general education day, discusses the social aspects of school meal times, and gives ideas about managing PFDs in the school.

Guest: Stephanie Cohen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC - In this episode, Stephanie introduces the concept of selective eating and the importance of using a family-focused approach. She shares the importance of looking at a selective eater through the PFD framework to rule out possible medical, nutritional, feeding skill, or psychosocial factors contributing to a child’s selectivity. Stephanie wraps up this epi...

Guest: Margaret Curley, MS, CCC-SLP: This episode focuses on advocacy for the SLP. We will chat with the fabulous Margaret Curley in NY state about advocating for the individual SLP. Participants can expect to learn about effective strategies for advocating for the individual SLP, learn about self-care and preservation strategies, and discuss various scenarios where they can learn how to advocate...

Guest: Courtney Gebhart, MA, CCC-SLP - This episode focuses on advocacy within our field's different workplaces with Courtney Gebhart, a private practice owner. Participants will learn strategies for advocating in healthcare or private practice, billing questions, school districts, and service reimbursement, including talking to supervisors and finding resources to support changes.

Guest: Cori Regan, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCBA - This episode focuses on advocacy at the state level for speech-language pathologists with Cori Regan. Topics will also include state requirements, why you would reach out to state officials, why we see ‘reach out to your legislature or senator,’ what we are advocating for, and reimbursement for services.

Hosts: Jessica Hunnemeder, MA, CCC-SLP and Stephanie Reed-Foti, SLPD, CCC-SLP - This episode focuses on advocacy at the national level within the field of SLP. Participants will learn strategies for effective advocacy, including navigating legislative processes, engaging with policymakers, and leveraging collective voices for systemic change.

Guest: Nina Kraus, PhD - In this session, Garrett Oyama, MS, CCC-SLP, along with his guest, Dr. Kraus, delve into the intricate relationship between sound, the brain, and speech, providing invaluable insights for SLPs. Renowned scientist Dr. Nina Kraus will share groundbreaking research from her book, highlighting how the brain processes sound and the profound implications for speech therapy. Disc...

Guest: Matthew Guggemos, MS, CCC-SLP - Join us as we sit down with the extraordinary speech therapist and professional drummer Matthew Guggemos for an unforgettable exploration of the intersection of speech therapy and music mastery. Uncover the secrets of meta-learning and the transformative power of embracing diverse skills. From the beat of the drum to the cadence of communication, Matthew shar...

Guest: Chucky Kim - This deep episode explores the metaphorical bridges between speech and music, revealing their shared elements that foster deep connections with others. Our guest, with a background in music education, music technology, and philosophy, unpacks the parallels between musical expression and the subtleties of speech. The episode emphasizes how both speech and music play vital roles...

Guest: Isabelle Engler, MT-BC, NICU-MT - In this captivating episode, the host and a previous colleague in music school (now a successful music therapist and children’s book author) will discuss a wide range of topics, exploring the enchanting synergy between speech, music, children's books, and developmental narratives. Discover the profound impact of music and storytelling and how they go togeth...

Guest: Heather Leavy Rusiewicz, PhD, CCC-SLP - While music is often integrated into many speech-language pathology (SLP) areas, the specific art of beatboxing remains a novel but potentially impactful tool to support communication goals and objectives. This session aims to introduce professionals to beatboxing through a clinical lens. By way of observation and guided practice with a professional b...

Guest: Brea Murakami, MM, MT-BC - Research demonstrates that musicians often have better speech-processing skills than non-musicians. This episode provides an overview of the OPERA hypothesis, which outlines five mechanisms (Overlap, Precision, Emotion, Repetition, and Attention) and explains how music experiences can benefit speech and language processing. The guest will share real-life case exam...

Guest: Erik X. Raj, PhD, CCC-SLP - This exciting episode features an interdisciplinary SLP, associate professor, and rock musician discussing the intersection of music and speech theoretically and experientially. Discover how music technology and music-based tools can be implemented as practical, evidence-based interventions in your practice, as well as how your own personal musical journey (or an...

Guest: Margarita Dela Cruz, SLPA - In this final episode, we dive into the ethical challenges faced by a speech therapy assistant in a school-based setting, where the pressure to prioritize detailed developmental reports over therapy sessions becomes overwhelming. Through the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) lens, we explore the journey of reframing language and transforming these challenges into op...

Guest: Elizabeth Perry, MS, CCC-SLP - This episode discusses David Burns' "Five Secrets of Communication," showcasing these skills' significant impact on healing old wounds and building constructive relationships. Learn the secrets and power of effective and compassionate communication.

In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of compassionate communication through the lens of a case study where a helping professional was deeply impacted by an experience within a toxic workplace culture. We will navigate the challenges faced by the professional in a daycare setting, where the absence of acknowledgment, appreciation, and even the removal of a thoughtful gift create a...

This episode explores the challenges of communicating effectively with the administration about overwhelming caseloads. Our anonymous guest shares the struggle of articulating the impact on job efficiency. Plus, we'll explore why many clinicians might opt for compliance over confrontation.