Guest: Amy Delaney, PhD, CCC-SLP - In this episode, to kick off Dysphagia Awareness Month, Michelle and Erin are joined by Amy Delaney, PhD, CCC-SLP, who is an Assistant Professor in Speech-Pathology & Audiology at Marquette University and Director of the Neurodevelopmental Feeding and Swallowing Lab. Dr. Delaney, who co-authored the Infant and Child Feeding Questionnaire© and PFD consensus paper by Goday et al. in 2019, is here to ignite our souls on fire with her passion for PFD. So, if you have questions on if an SLP can diagnose PFD, why our field needs to study typical feeding skills, or the trajectory that Amy’s PFD research is taking our field, then tune in for this delightful conversation with Dr. Delaney.

Guest: Kristin Szymanek, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle and Erin are joined by Kristin Szymanek, MA, CCC-SLP, Director of Rehabilitation Services at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The terms “Pediatric Cancer,” “Palliative Care,” and “Hospice” can easily send shivers down your spine. These terms can stir emotions that are intrinsically difficult to grasp. However, as pediatric speech-language pathologists, we may have the joy of working with little ones and their caregivers while they navigate their journey with pediatric cancer or pediatric feeding and/or swallowing disorders, clinical swallow evaluation or instrumental examination, suspected language delay, or even be called upon to evaluate and treat a suspected phonological impairment. Kristin will guide you on the SLP’s role and responsibilities as part of an oncology team, including unique barriers when working in this setting and with this population and how to infuse grace and evidence-based practice into palliative care.

Guests: Jaclyn Pederson, MHI, Athena Flicek, and Jen Lambert, M.ED. - Michelle is joined by Jaclyn Pederson, MHI, Chief Executive Officer of Feeding Matters, Athena Flicek, Programs and Events Manager with Feeding Matters, and Jen Lambert, M.ED., Director of Programs and Events with Feeding Matters, to celebrate “Pediatric Feeding Disorders Awareness Month." It’s been a while since Feeding Matters was on “First Bite,” and there has there been tremendous growth and change. Over the course of this hour, absorb the advocacy updates, learn new ways to volunteer your professional skills to advance the knowledge of pediatric feeding disorder, and share how Feeding Matters has impacted one phenomenal caregiver who is now paying it forward.

Guests: Vicki R. Deal-Williams, MA, CCC-SLP, FASAE, CAE and Andrea M. Falzarano, CAE. For Better Speech and Hearing Month, the First Bite podcast could think of no better way to celebrate this, than by holding crucial conversations around leadership within our profession. Why? Because we have all witnessed and experienced firsthand deficits within our profession. These can include unreasonable expectations for productivity and caseloads, limited access to speech-generating augmentative and alternative communication devices, the scope of practice encroachment from non-licensed individuals, and the list could go on, but we will stop it there. Why? it is what you do with that next breath that makes the difference. It’s that next breath that drives change in our field. It’s what you do with that next breath that makes a lasting impact on future colleagues and their patients. Why not learn about ASHA’s unique leadership training opportunities from THE Leaders themselves? In this hour, we hope to inspire you with wisdom from the council of elders, from the greats in our fields, to move the needle of our profession forward, one conversation at a time.

Guests: Archie Soelaeman, MS, CCC-SLP, and Nadhiya Ito, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Archie Soelaeman, MS, CCC-SLP, Co-President of the Asian Pacific Islander Speech-Language-Hearing Caucus, and Nadhiya Ito, MA, CCC-SLP, past Vice President and a current Advisory Board Member of the Asian Pacific Islander Speech-Language-Hearing Caucus (API), to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Awareness Month. Did you know that ASHA has had an API Caucus since 1985? Did you know that only 3% of ASHA members identify as a member of the Asian Pacific Islander community? Do you know how many potential languages are spoken by current members? Did you know that API was created to support current and future colleagues and to support service delivery for monolingual SLPs and audiologists in evaluating and treating members of the Asian Pacific Islander communities? Join Archie and Nadhiya as they share their passions for API, its history and future, and how it can support you and the patients that you serve.

Guest: Barbara Coven-Ellis, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Barbara, a medical SLP who works in both outpatient pediatrics and adult acute care in rural Washington State and is also the author of “Tyler Takes a Taste: A Boy and His Family's Journey Through "Picky Eating" and Feeding Disorders!”. It is an absolute joy to kick off “Pediatric Feeding Disorder Awareness Month” with Barbara. Over the hour, Barbara discusses her unique journey toward working as a Pediatric Feeding Disorder SLP. She shares how her passion for life-long learning led her to pursue extensive training in interprofessional education for PFD allied medical partners and how that training set her and her patients up for success with interprofessional practice challenges unique to a rural area.

Guest: Susanne Cook, PhD - Dr. Susanne is a speech-language pathologist, and Chair of the International Cluttering Association. If you haven’t heard of cluttering before, don’t worry, numerous colleagues around the world haven’t either and Dr. Susanne is here to fix that. This conversation has it all: the differences between stuttering and cluttering, how cluttering is diagnosed and where to find the tools to do so, and how to effectively treat cluttering while also engaging in interprofessional practice!

Guest: Michelle Therrien, Ph.D. - Dr. Therrien is an assistant professor in the School of Communication Science and Disorders at Florida State University. Dr. Michelle directs the “AAC Connect Lab,” and her research focuses on building connections to support improved quality of life for individuals who use AAC, focusing on creating friendships through communication. So, if you’ve ever wondered about how to develop healthy and meaningful social interactions for your pediatric AAC users or your role in creating friendships, or scratched your head and wondered how you could even word that as an IFSP or IEP goal, then you will want to listen in as Dr. Michelle speaks from her heart and shares the groundbreaking research that she has established in conjunction with her colleagues.

Guests: Charlene Fregosi, PT, C/PAA-Instructor, and Ilene Sperling, MA, CCC-SLP, C-PAA-Instructor - If you tuned into episode #193, “Pediatric Feeding Disorder and the NICU: Best Practice for Discharge,” then you heard Cuyler Romeo, MOT, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, mention the “Institute for Perception-Action Approach,” (of which she is a founding member). Well, Folks, that’s what this episode is dedicated to, learning about the “Perception-Action Approach" from two of their certified instructors. So, suppose you are interested in learning how to engage in a whole-body assessment and treatment of a little one with a pediatric feeding disorder, how to engage in interprofessional education and practice across allied health members, or in what Isaac Newton has to do with teaching a little one to engage with their body in space. In that case, this is the hour for you! Join Ilene and Charlene as they teach you how to embrace the power of gentle touch for powerfully optimistic pediatric outcomes.

Guest: Jackie Rodriguez, MS CCC-SLP - Jackie discusses health literacy and how it impacts our assessment and treatment of feeding and swallowing disorders, especially for individuals from different cultures. Diving further, Jackie transitions to dispelling myths about cultural diets and health in minority communities. Finally, to close the hour, Jackie suggests incorporating culture into feeding and swallowing therapy for colleagues.

Guest: Melissa Davis, MS CCC-SLP - Melissa is the owner of Speech Therapy for Kids and co-owner of Kids Therapy Spot with clinics in Starkville and Columbus, MS. Melissa, who is known for her pediatric feeding disorder advocacy work, especially with Feeding Matters, joins to discuss the unique challenges of serving patients in a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC). Never heard of a PPEC? Don’t worry; Michelle hadn’t either when she first met Melissa. So please tune in to learn what a PPEC is, the unique challenges of serving patients in a PPEC, and how Melissa and her colleagues have overcome those challenges to engage in joyful interprofessional practice for optimal patient outcomes.

Guest: Erin Redle Sizemore, Ph.D. CCC-SLP. - Dr. Sizemore, who has engaged in PFD treatment and research for over 20 years, spends this hour discussing the growth in the field of pediatric feeding disorder. From our humble beginnings of psychology-based behavioral interventions to “change agent” implementation science leadership to current interprofessional practice-driven care, especially for those patients with opioid neonatal exposure, Dr. Sizemore covers it all.

Guest: Joan C. Arvedson, Ph.D., CCC/SLP, BCS-S, ASHA-Fellow - Dr. Arvedson, an expert in pediatric dysphagia and pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), is known worldwide for her extensive lifelong work on behalf of the littlest patients we serve. She has published three textbooks for pediatric dysphagia, countless articles in peer-reviewed journals, served as a Clinical Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, and is currently the Program Coordinator of Feeding and Swallowing Services at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In her first-ever podcast appearance, Dr. Arvedson shares from her heart and lifetime of experiences: basic skills that PFD clinicians need to know to get started, guidelines from the World Health Organization that should shape our practice, as well as functional strategies for intervention that you can put into practice tomorrow. Her cup overflows with joy and knowledge… so bring your proverbial cup and join Michelle and Erin and soak it all in!

In this episode, Michelle and Erin are bringing the highlights of the ASHA Convention 2022 to you. So, if you couldn’t make your way to the “Big Easy” this past November, the ladies of “First Bite” have you covered with some of their favorite eye-opening, evidenced-based practice expanding, and joyful tips for growing as a pediatric clinician. So, if you want to learn more about aspects of motor learning for treating pediatric feeding disorder, what the evidence says regarding tethered oral tissues, or catch the latest information on school-based service delivery for all things pediatric feeding and swallowing, then this is the episode for you.

Guest: Erin Gravino Jeffords, OTR/L, MS, PAMCO, CBIS - Erin Jeffords, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy with Lenoir-Rhyne University, discusses the impact of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and how it impacts patient’s access to care. Geographical location, access to reliable transportation, access to reliable forms of communication, and even access to affordable internet can all impact our ability to provide services, our patient’s ability to find services, and/or our patient’s ability to follow through with the recommendations for intervention that we deliver. Join Erin and Michelle for an hour of hope and support for discovering and overcoming SDOH for improved patient outcomes.

In this episode, Michelle and Erin deep dive into one of Erin’s favorite topics, “The Intentional Relationship Model.” This model, which is well understood within the occupational therapy world, is just starting to carry over into the speech therapy realm. So, join Michelle and Erin for an hour dedicated to interprofessional education for improved interprofessional practice. By the end, you’ll better understand what “The Intentional Relationship Model” is, why we should utilize it within our treatment sessions, and strategies to implement it to build your therapeutic presence and use of self.

Guest: Kia Noelle Johnson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP - Michelle is joined once again by Dr. Johnson, the Associate Director of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research, member of the ASHA Board of Ethics, and Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing. The last time Dr. Johnson was a guest on “First Bite” was in February 2020. A month later, the world changed, and so has NBASLH! Over this hour, Dr. Johnson joyfully shares the new initiatives that NBASLH has taken these past two years. Looking for opportunities to mentor future generations of speech-language pathologists, to participate in intimate monthly conversations on cultural considerations, and to enhance your leadership skills, join in as these topics will be explored.

Guests: Donna Edwards, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S & Elizabeth Daly, MS, CCC-SLP - If you have heard about the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders (NFOSD) but were unsure about what this phenomenal non-profit organization does, then this is the hour for you!! Founded by individuals with dysphagia and lead speech-language pathologists in the field of dysphagia, NFOSD has grown tremendously since 2006. From research support for dysphagia across the life continuum to clinical and patient education, teaching skills for self-advocacy, and free support for patients and caregivers via numerous platforms and their free zoom monthly meetings, NFOSD has something for everyone.

Guest: Morgan Oates, MA CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Morgan, a Ph.D. student in the Speech and Hearing Science Department at The Ohio State University with a Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Disability Studies. Morgan’s research interests include the implications of double empathy theory in terms of the effects of neurotype on language and communication, neurodiversity-affirming supports for adolescent and adult autistic individuals, and the intersections of gender and autism. In this episode, Morgan provides clinicians and caregivers with insight into what neurodiversity and double empathy are and how they relate to communication. She then takes us on a joyful journey of how we can provide neurodiversity-affirming communication support for adolescent autistic individuals.

Guest: Sarah Grier Brumfield, MS, CCC-SLP - Sarah shares tips for successfully navigating a clinical fellowship year. Graduate school may lay the foundation for clinical knowledge and skills for one's CF. Still, advocacy, resiliency, mentorship, and establishing healthy boundaries are crucial to ensuring a positive clinical fellowship experience. But where does a CF turn to for advice and guidance? How can a CF supervisor fulfill the needs of their CF effectively? Sarah Grier shares her favorite resources and personal lessons learned and offers wisdom for navigating those final steps towards your "CCC"!

Guest: Allison Bean, Ph.D., CCC-SLP - The episode is dedicated to understanding and growing our knowledge of the neurodiversity affirming practice. Allison, Associate Professor with The Ohio State University, and Topic Co-Chair for the Autism Committee for ASHA 2023 in Boston, who focuses her research on language development in nonspeaking autistic individuals and outcomes in individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication, will guide us on our journey to better engage in neurodiversity-affirming AAC practice. By the end of this spirited conversation, you will walk away with new strategies to support autistic children and their caregivers as they start their AAC journey.

Guests: Donna Edwards, MA CCC-SLP, BCS-S, F-ASHA, Memorie Gosa, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, & Georgia Malandraki, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, F-ASHA - The guests hold a crucial conversation regarding the ethical utilization of social media as it correlates to pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. We have all had those moments when we are scrolling on our phones and seen a post that either made us leap for joy, or stare in disbelief. We’ve seen new accounts that present as “specialists” within the PFD community, but the reel that they share make us scratch our heads and question their validity. Maybe you’ve seen an announcement of a new research article being published… and been filled with an overwhelming sense of hope for our patients and their caregivers and the trajectory of our field. For better, or worse, social media influences how we practice with our patients…but we need expert guidance in how to be consumers and purveyors of this medium while still adhering to our professional code of ethics. That’s what this hour is planning to do: guide your decision-making, infuse you with discernment, and leave you optimistic that you too can master the art of social media consumption and production within the frame of pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders.

Guest: Clay Hadden, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Clay Hadden joins Michelle to discuss evidence-based approaches for AAC. Clay is a proponent of functional access and implementation of AAC and spends the hour discussing common barriers and pitfalls new AAC clinicians fall into, such as difficulty in authentic vocabulary selection, communication breakdowns in caregiver coaching, and the most common, not taking the time to establish a true bond before attempting AAC implementation.

Guests: Fe Murray, EdD, CCC-SLP, Raquel Garcia, SLPD, CCC-SLP, CNT, BCS-S & Sofia Carias, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle and Erin are joined by industry leaders from across the nation to hold intimate conversations on how our faith and cultures influence our practice as pediatric speech-language pathologists. These two hours is an outgrowth of a lifetime of experiences shared by all the presenters, cultural missteps and corrections, religious misunderstandings, and deeply personal conversations for growth and respect. One of the beautiful aspects of our profession is the diversity of the patients we are called upon to serve. However, to fully engage our therapeutic presence, we must understand how different faiths and cultures influence our patients’ daily routines and how our religion and culture influence the services we deliver. With this expansion in our knowledge, we can improve our ability to coach caregivers through language acquisition within the framework of daily routines and make respective dietary recommendations for pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders.

Guest: Inez Esparza, a Spanish Certified Medical Interpreter, and ASHA Certified SLPA - As a profession, speech-language pathology has an abundance of English-speaking clinicians evaluating and treating individuals who may not or do not speak English. So, where does that leave the monolingual licensed SLP? How can they best engage in that patient’s care to provide optimal outcomes? The Answer is through interprofessional education and learning more about certified medical interpretation. In this hour, Inez shares her advanced skills to educate colleagues about the process of becoming a certified medical interpreter, how to ethically and effectively collaborate with a certified medical interpreter in evaluation, and how to ensure optimal long-term outcomes by creating joyful interprofessional relationships. If you’re a monolingual SLP and need guidance on expanding your evidence-based triangle for the patients you serve, this is the conversation for you.

Guests: Tamala Close, MS, CCC-SLP & Britney Desir, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Tamala and Britney bring their years of expertise to inspire us to take that leap of faith and start our own private practices. Unsure of where to begin, never heard of an “NPI Number”, afraid of writing a business plan, overwhelmed by potential overhead costs? Breathe deep, grab your favorite pen and notebook, and let Tamala and Britney instill practical guidance to build your private practice confidence.

Guest: Jeanne Marshall, Ph.D, B Sp. Path - Are you ready to understand the differences between being an SLP in Australia? Then join Michelle and Dr. Marshall as they deep dive into research on operant vs. systematic desensitization treatment for Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and better understand the invaluable role of simulation for PFD treatment.

Guest: Corinne Zmoos, MS, CCC-SLP - Corinne spends the hour educating listeners about the early stages of Gestalt language processing, celebrating the beauty of this learning style, effectively incorporating it into augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and then how to put it all to music! So get your instruments and speech-generating devices ready because, by the end, you’ll want to engage in play-based therapy with both.

Guest: Betsy Pilon - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Betsy, the Executive Director of “Hope for Acquired Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE).” This hour is a deeply profound conversation as one mom shares her journey of advocacy and empowerment, inspiring and educating us along the way. Join in as the topics of causes and current treatment for HIE. are presented. Potential long-term impacts and barriers to continued treatment after NICU discharge will be discussed.

Guest: Maggie Sudimack, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC - If you’re new to the world of infant feeding, Maggie shares insights to help guide your first steps for the patient’s first sips. Highlights include the role of the SLP in a lactation evaluation, how to transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding, and how to coach a caregiver through all these processes.

In this episode, Michelle and Erin are holding crucial conversations regarding current evidence-based practice for pediatric feeding disorders. We all hear the myths and see the pseudoscience that is bantered around social media platforms as “evidence.” How much of this information is accurate? How much of it was designed to grow followers instead of disseminating current EBP information that will truly expand your clinical skills? The scary answer is a lot of it isn’t accurate or even safely shared. In this hour, Michelle and Erin tackle the current evidence for tether-oral tissues and non-speech oral motor exercises, as well as discuss the ethics of utilization of social media as a source of evidence.

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 what a non-nutritive suck (NNS) is, the factors that can influence an NNS, and its role in oral feeding and then offers insight into where the future of pediatric feeding research is heading.

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 join us and enjoy learning about how to advocate with community partners for improved patient and caregiver outcomes.

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 practice, all with the purpose of providing hope and positive outcomes for our patients.

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 discuss the role of the caregivers, common barriers to utilization, and current evidence-based strategies that will open the door for functional and meaningful communication for the little ones we are called to serve.

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 episode is for you.

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 you with functional recommendations and strategies to ensure a smooth transition from graduate school to a successful clinical-fellowship experience.

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 presented, “United on the Mat: Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness for the SLP, Audiologist & Related Healthcare Provider” at the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) National Convention in Washington, D.C. in November 2021, delights the listener with her favorite research to support the use of yoga for our pediatric patients, the benefits to engaging in interprofessional practice with OTR/Ls via yoga for our patients, as well as the benefits of yoga for improving the therapeutic presence for the treating clinician. Bonus points… near the end she walks the clinician through a series of stretches and quick postures that we can do while sitting at our desks between SOAP note writing! So, get comfy cozy, pull up your notepad and your yoga mat, and let Kerrie inspire you to breathe deep and keep moving forward.

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 their favorite goals they include in their initial evaluations and plan of care. The best part is that Michelle and Erin share the resources and sources of guidance they have received over the years so that you have those forever on your side too.

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 common barriers to utilization and implementation of speech-generating devices, or if you just need inspiration from a skilled “been there and done that” school-based SLP, then tune in and let Stephen inspire you.

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 prevent them from talking,” how to engage and encourage caregivers to use an SGD AAC device during their daily routines, as well as troubleshooting the simple steps to submit for insurance approval.

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 continuity of care for these little ones to set them up for long-term success.

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 more memorable moments from the field (the flops and successes) to inspire us all to embrace the joy and evidence of caregiver coaching.

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 the quality of care for even our littlest patients.

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 to take up the mantle of Clinical Supervision and Mentorship! Learn an update on the current state of affairs of pediatric feeding disorder coursework in graduate school to understand the knowledge base students are coming to us with, and then embrace the conversation regarding different adult learning styles as strategies to effortlessly train our profession’s future.

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 the barriers in our sessions? Erin and Michelle will clarify misconceptions and inspire listeners with an “easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy” evidence-based plan to assist in their next therapy sessions.

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.