In this episode Michelle is joined once again by Erin Forward, MSP CCC-SLP, and they take on the beast of the change between the National Dysphagia Diet and the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative. It is time! Erin and Michelle spend this fast paced hour updating and taste testing foods and drinks according to the new IDDSI guidelines! They will share their favorite IDDSI transition resources, as well as help to explain the differences in food and drink between NDD and IDDSI for all consistencies. Bring your private practice and personal practices in line with current best practice with this lively lecture! Also, be sure to check out the First Bite Insta and FB accounts for the videos of all the taste testing!

In this episode Michelle is joined by Mr. Stephen Kneece, MA CCC-SLP, the charming southern gentlemen who is the mastermind, voice, and musician behind the YouTube Channel “Speech & Language Songs”. Stephen, who serves as the Assistive Technology Consultant for Aiken County School District during the day, joins Michelle to share his passion for all “thangs” AAC. Core Vocab, Fringe, the struggles of choosing an AAC device, and evidenced based options if Speech Generating isn’t the way to go at this moment, are all covered in this dynamic power-hour!

In this Special Sunday Night episode, Michelle is joined by a fellow Palmetto State Lady, the one and only Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland, ASHA’s Immediate Past President. Dr. Elise is here to share her wisdom on the importance of Ethics within the Early Intervention. Crucial conversations takes place regarding the differences between Poverty and Neglect, when a DSS referral is warranted, Clinician Safety and the ethics of transferring a patient or when discharging is warranted, as well as ethical considerations for implementing the “Coaching Model” when working with a medically fragile/complex infant/toddler/child. This is mighty powerful hour with a mighty amazing woman, Dr. Elise! Enjoy and Happy Early Fourth of July!!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the one and only Shawna Ross of the Sierra Therapy Group from the far-far-far away land of Reno, NV! Together these two ASHA LDP Cohort grads tackle the fears and tribulations of what goes on behind the scenes prior to opening the doors of a private practice. Listen in as the wise and utterly delightful Shawna shares her passion that drove her to become not only a dynamic clinician, but also successful private practice owner that regularly gives back to her community through hearing screens, summer camps, and Buddy Walks!

In this episode Michelle is joined once again by the talented Carol A. Page, PhD, CCC-SLP, ATP, CBIS is the Director of the South Carolina Assistive Technology Program (SCATP) at the USC School of Medicine, from Episode 24, “AAC is more than Pictures and Velcro?!? What?!?”. Have you worked with a child who needed an AAC device, but had limited vision? Maybe they were diagnosed with a CVI and you were scratching your head as to what that diagnosis is…then afraid to move forward with functional treatment? Well… fear no more! Dr. Carol Page is here to educate us all on what a Cortical Vision Impairment is, early warning signs for a CVI if the little one you’re working with doesn’t have a diagnosis yet, and then how to go about considering an AAC device…including considering eye gaze equipment… when completing evaluations and treatments! This is an episode that has been in the works for a few years folks…you won’t want to miss it!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the multitalented Susan Lee, MA CCC-SLP, of Anderson, IN. If you’re in the world of early intervention or pediatric home health, then you probably don’t treat patients who have dyslexia on a regular basis…however I bet you have had had patients that you were concerned about! Well, Susan Lee, who was also trained in Orton-Gillingham techniques, is here to decode warning signs for dyslexia in our youngsters! She will share early warning signs, explain at what age a child can participate in a formal evaluation, as well as offer functional advice on what advice to share with a patient’s family when you do see early warning signs.

In this episode Michelle is joined by the highly skilled and incredibly passionate Craig Coleman, MA CCC-SLP, BCS-F, ASHA Fellow, and Candidate for ASHA VP of Planning, to discuss best practice for diagnosis and treatment of stuttering in preschool age children. As Michelle has joked in past episodes, this is not exactly her cup of tea, but Craig is here to offer evidenced based solutions that are easily implemented in ALL Natural Environments… so sit back and enjoy the practical tips delivered with Craig Coleman’s whit and wisdom!!

In this episode Michelle is joined once by again by her dynamic First Bite partner the lovely Miss Erin Forward, MSP CF-SLP. Today they jump into the data behind the Language Assessments that we use to evaluate our little ones. Specificity, Sensitivity, Validity, and even ASHA Guidelines on what is “Best Practice for Assessments” and when we should draw our proverbial line in the sand and trash a test are all covered. Be warned, there are a couple of EBP Soapboxes floating around!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the dynamic Becca Hoke, MS CCC-SLP, LAMP Educator with the Center for AAC and Autism, in Pennsylvania. This AAC Guru has been gracious enough to share her time with “First Bite Folks” to educate clinicians about the power of combining core vocabulary with muscle memory! Have you been to one of LAMP’s live trainings yet? Well by the end of today, you will be inspired to rethink how you approach and engage AAC in Early Intervention…and most likely will want to follow up for a full day course too! AAC has a vital role in EI, even for those with limited vision and compromised gross/fine motor abilities…AAC can open doors for functional communication and spread joy in our patients lives… Becca has the key to make that happen!

In this episode Michelle and Diane tackle typical development for a healthy growing mouth, as well as a compare contrasting factors in an evaluation between bottle and breast-feeding. They round out this dynamic hour with a crash course on which team member to consult with if systems are starting to go awry.

In this episode Michelle is joined once again by Miss Erin Forward, MSP CF-SLP, where they tackle some common, some not so common, and a few rare genetic syndromes…and how they can result in an oropharygneal dysphagia or feeding aversion. If you have questions regarding some basic terminology on how genetic conditions are inherited or caused…and how they correspond to a child needing services for functional feeding…well then this is the episode for you!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the jovial Jason Wigand, AuD, Assistant Professor and Clinical Director of the Cochlear Implant Program at the University of South Carolina. They have quite the talk for you! Have you scratched your head lately wondering why that patient your working with just isn’t picking up the sounds or words y’all have spent weeks addressing? But…have you seriously considered the impact of their surrounding environment on speech acquisition? How about little sister’s i-pad blaring, older brother gaming in the next room with the surround sound turned all the way up, the wash running in the machine adjacent to where you’ve been working? Those sounds impact our sessions because they limit what our little ones can hear…and Jason is “hear” today to offer functional …and fun…resources!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the esteemed Crystal Murphree-Holden, MA CCC-SLP, who is the Director of Distance Education/Clinical Instructor at the University of South Carolina, as well as VP of Higher Education with SCSHA. She was also a recent recipient of the Honors of the Association for SCSHA. In this episode Crystal and Michelle attempt to clarify the muddied waters of SLPA vs. SLP Scope of Practice! Haven’t heard of an SLPA? Well you’re not alone! Enjoy as Crystal enlightens, educates, and inspires us to consider our scopes in a new light!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the lovely Miss Nicole Patton, Registered Lobbyist with the National Down Syndrome Society, at their Headquarters in Washington, D.C. While Nicole lobbies at a national level, it is more than just a “job” to her, as it comes from a place of love and compassion as she has a sister with special needs. Tune in to this episode and become educated as to what initiatives are currently being advocated for at the national level, how this can impact the patients that we treat in our own small towns, and find out how you can become involved at your local level. Bottom line…all these combined advocacy efforts positively impact the care that we deliver to our patients and Nicole is here to share how!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the Etiquette guru co-director Treva Graves, MS CCC-SLP, of Trevagraves.com. Treva, a former Miss Iowa America winner and ASHA Leadership Development Alumni, is a highly sought after guest speaker and personal trainer in the areas of Image, Executive Coaching, and Accent Reduction. In this episode, she addresses some of the largest personal fears and failures that hold women leaders back, whether it be from moving forward in the corporate world to holding them back from starting their own business. If you need a kick, or a push to take the next personal step towards leadership, then this course is for you!

In this episode Michelle is joined once again by her partner in all things nerdy mischief Erin Forward, MSP CF-SLP. Today is the day where they go in and act as Speech-Language Pathology Sleuths! Are you prepared to don your deerstalker cap? (Don’t lie, you goggled that…it’s the Sherlock Holmes hat!) We tackle pediatric CVAs, EOE, Hirschsprung’s Disease, Celiac Disease, and also a quick foray into where to start when the etiology is as of yet unknown. We hope you enjoy the complexity of the cases and the joy of these patients healing processes as much as we do!

In this episode Michelle is joined by none other than THE Dr. Kay Toomey, President of Toomey & Associates, Inc., Clinical Consultant to the Feeding Clinic at STAR Institute, and developer of the SOS Approach to Feeding. In case you haven’t heard of it, the SOS Approach to Feeding, is a bottom-up, tip-toe in the water of feeding, functional centered program for assessing and treating children with feeding problems, based out of CO. Worried about jumping two feet first into the water of feeding or dysphagia therapy, or tossing your patient into the deep in? Then sit back and relax and let Dr. Toomey resolve your fears and offer hope for functional treatment!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the effervescent co-director Patti Minicucci, MS CCC-SLP, of Tots to Teens Therapy Services, of Northern Virginia. Patti, a former guest speaker at the University of Mary Washington, who has also held trainings for pediatricians and other professionals, has been an Early Interventionist SLP for over 20 years! She brings with her to this episode, personal experience and passion, as she describes the Non-Profit Organization “Feeding Matters” and how this Parent Founded, yes you read that right Parent Founded, group is breaking ground across our country to make EI Pediatric Dysphagia/Feeding Therapy fearless and obtainable for all!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the powerhouse that is Lissa Power-deFur, PhD, CCC-SLP. Not only is she a professor, that Michelle can personally attest to the fact that she takes the education of her students passionately and seriously, she is also the current Vice Preside of Standards and Ethics in Speech-Language Pathology (2014-2016). Still curious about the topic of this episode? Well wonder no more…we are covering ethical dilemmas that are sometimes unique to the world of home-health early interventionist! Trust me, we run across some hum-dingers from time to time, and Dr. Power-deFur is just the lady to enlighten and encourage our perseverance.

In this episode Michelle is joined by the petite yet formidable Cheris Frailey, MA CCC-SLP, Interstate Compact and Legal Affairs Coordinator for the Dept. of Regulatory Agencies for the State of Colorado. Join Michelle as she seeks honest and practical advice from Cheris, a former Director of State Education and Legislative Advocacy with ASHA, in the areas of conflict resolution. In short…are you in a professional pickle at work and unsure how to come to conclusion that is amicable yet fair, well, then join for functional strategies!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the dynamic co-director Jennifer Ruckner, MS CCC-SLP, of Tots to Teens Therapy Services, of Northern Virginia. Jennifer, a seasoned Early Interventionist who is also a Community Ambassador for Feeding Matters, a non-profit, parent founded organization, actually specializes in Telepractice for the Early Intervention and School Age pediatric population. Yes, you read that correctly, we can do telepractice in the world of EI! Join Michelle in this episode as a whole new world of EI ST is illuminated by the lovely Jennifer!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the esteemed Dr. Carol Page, Director of the SC Assistive Technology Program. In this episode, Dr. Page assuages listener’s fears of Augmentative and Alternative Communication! Did you know that AAC is more than pictures and a lamination machine and is in fact driven by core vocabulary with a splash of “fringe” vocabulary? Or did you know that when an SLP utilizes AAC with a patient, we are teaching them how to say what they want to say, not what we want them to say?!? If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t! One of Dr. Page’s gifts is her ability to communicate these attributes of AAC with grace and compassion, such that everyone not only understands how to use AAC, but starts to embrace it on a day-to-day basis with their patients.

In this episode, the Michelle and KiKi address how to utilize various social media platforms to drive and market a speech language pathologist’s private practice. They tackle the troublesome concerns such as how much time and energy should a therapist spend on social media and what social media campaign should be utilized to maximize exposure and to generate business.

In this lively episode, Michelle is joined by the lovely Miss Erin Forward, MS, CF-SLP, formerly of Rochester, NY, but now of Cola-Town, SC to assist in “Chasing the Swallow”! Did you know an SLP can’t tackle an oropharyngeal dysphagia or a feeding disorder alone? Well folks, we can’t! Why? Because we, for lack of a better phrase, are the gatekeepers, the starting point, to the greater world of the alimentary canal! In this episode, Michelle and Erin address who should join us on the journey for PO intake and why!

In this episode Michelle is joined once again by the gifted Mrs. Melissa Montiel, MS CCC-SLP, (see Episode 14 “Banishing Confusion for Clefts”), from the Medical University of South Carolina and the Evelyn Tramell Institute for Voice and Swallowing. In Melissa’s second lecture, we address both the speech component of VPI (velopharyngeal insufficiency), but also the more elusive and often misunderstood swallowing aspect of VPI. Sit back in awe as Melissa educates colleagues about signs and symptoms that would warrant a VPI evaluation and the steps involved during the VPI eval. If you have a patient with nasal regurgitation, then this might be perfect for you!

In this episode Michelle is joined by holistically fierce “Momma-Bear” Mrs. Jennifer Tardy, with Eating for Healing, from Millinocket, Maine, however currently residing in Lexington, SC. In this lecture we tackle EOE, Eosinophillic Esophagitis, from the unique perspective of a mother…who happens to be a nutrition coach…to learn key insights into how a devastating diagnosis was tackled with compassion, understanding, and education!  Just new to the world of EOE, then this lecture is a great starting point as we are learning from a member of the front line! 

In this episode, Michelle is joined by the gifted Mrs. Melissa Monteil, MS CCC-SLP, from the Medical University of South Carolina and the Evelyn Tramell Institute for Voice and Swallowing.  In this lecture, we discuss the process of prenatal diagnosis of cleft and dispel misconceptions regarding feeding a little one with a cleft, especially in that first critical year.  Not only does this amazing woman specialize in the subject matter for her career, but also she also freely gives of her spare time and treats patients through Global Smile Foundation around the world. Be sure to have your questions ready for this dynamic guest interview! 

In this episode Michelle is joined by social media guru, Kiki L’Italien, CEO and founder of Amplified Growth, a digital marketing consultancy specializing in social media, SEO, and influencer marketing. Kiki, who regularly lectures to Speech-Language Pathologists and other medical colleagues, will focus this lecture in maintaining professionalism and navigating potential ethical pitfalls of social media…all the while teaching how to put social media to work for you, making your practice thrive! 

In this episode, Michelle is joined by the gifted Mrs. Melissa Monteil, MS CCC-SLP, from the Medical University of South Carolina and the Evelyn Tramell Institute for Voice and Swallowing.  In this lecture, we discuss the process of prenatal diagnosis of cleft and dispel misconceptions regarding feeding a little one with a cleft, especially in that first critical year.  Not only does this amazing woman specialize in the subject matter for her career, but also she also freely gives of her spare time and treats patients through Global Smile Foundation around the world. Be sure to have your questions ready for this dynamic guest interview! 

In this episode Michelle is joined by the charismatic Gregg Black, MD, of Carolina Allergy and Asthma Consultants, PA. Dr. Black, from Columbia, SC, (by way of Clemson, SC, Birmingham, AL, Whangaeri, NZ, and New Orleans, LA), shares the process by which infants, as young as 30 days, can begin safely assessing for food allergies and the best way to go about the diagnostic process.  This lecture is the perfect starting point for clinicians as they learn to recognize early s/s of potential food allergies and its affect on feeding and how to offer guidance on helping our patients reach out to an allergist.

In this episode Michelle is joined by business savy Mrs. Jennifer Tardy, with “PT the OT Therapy and Wellness, originally from Millinocket, Maine, however currently residing in Lexington, SC. In this lecture we tackle the largest fear of small business owners, “how do we ethically obtain referrals?”. Jennifer, a successful Director who currently manages referrals for three different businesses, offers her functional/practical insight into how you too can make it in the world of habilitation/re-hab…and still maintain your glass-half-full disposition!

In this course Michelle is joined by the charming Mrs. Juliana Miller, from Columbia, SC…and together they address problematic practicum placements and the “do’s” vs. the “do not’s” of clinical supervision, as well as to highlight the upcoming 2020 ASHA changes to supervision…all from the perspective of a Director of External Clinical Practicums. 

In this podcast, Michelle is joined by the dynamic Mrs. Diane Postman of Yorktown, VA to demystify how AAC and emergent literacy can work in an ECSE classroom with a “push-in” approach. We are not talking swapping out pictures for objects here folks, but data drive core-vocab with real-life examples! Hilarity, albeit in a geeky fashion, does occur in this most functional of discussions!

In this podcast, Michelle is joined by the lovely Miss Erin Forward of Rochester, NY. On the menu: common terminology for our pediatric populations with feeding tubes, emphasis on quality not quantity feeds, and addressing long-term planning…stressing the motto of “fed is fed is fed” and that some of these little ones do need a feeding tube for nourishment and PO for quality of life.

Ms. Karina McCollam, ECSE teacher, joins Michelle for this interview, where we have that crucial conversation about IFSP to IEP transitions. Do you despise that “ohhh-to-common” breakdown in communication during this critical period too? Sit back and enjoy as functional strategies are discussed to address this concern.

Michelle is joined again by Jeremy Ponds, RD with Path of Life Nutrition, as he tackles the nitty gritty about who is a candidate for a feeding tube, how flow rates are configured…get your calculator ready!... and the implications of TPN for the little ones we treat.

Michelle is joined by the lovely Erin Forward of Rochester, NY, where they tackle hard questions facing the world of pediatric speech therapy. In this episode, the roles are reversed and Erin asks Michelle about special considerations when completing a pediatric dysphagia/feeding eval in the home health/natural environment setting.