First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

Support children’s rights to safe feeding, adequate nutrition, and responsive care through an interprofessional approach.

Guest: Emily DeLacey, PhD, RDN, LDN

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this episode of First Bite, host Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, interviews Emily DeLacey, PhD, RDN, LDN, Vice President of Nutrition & Health Services at Holt International, to explore the nutrition and feeding needs of children living in institution-based care worldwide. Together, they examine the scope of nutrition risk for orphaned and vulnerable children, including why infants and children in institutional settings are at increased risk for malnutrition and feeding difficulties. Through real-world case studies, Emily brings these challenges to life, offering a deeper understanding of how early experiences, caregiving environments, and systemic factors shape feeding outcomes and child development.

About the Guest: Emily is a registered and licensed dietitian/nutritionist and the director of Holt International’s nutrition and health services since 2016. She completed her undergraduate at Central Washington University, her master’s at Kent State University and her PhD at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In her role at Holt, Emily oversees nutrition, health, food assistance and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) programming in all the countries where Holt works, with a focus on maternal and child nutrition and research.

Show Notes:

• Holt International Website
• Holt International’s Feeding and Positioning Manual
• IDDSI Patient Handouts

Love Money: Holt International Food Every Day

How do food access, caregiver stress, and everyday challenges affect children with PFD?

Guests: Amy Delaney, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Ivonne M. Maldonado-De la Rosa, PhD, MLS, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this episode of First Bite host Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, welcomes Amy Delaney, PhD, CCC-SLP, and Ivonne M. Maldonado-De la Rosa, PhD, MLS, CCC-SLP, to examine how social determinants of health (SDOH) influence pediatric feeding care and outcomes. From food insecurity and family resources to healthcare access and systemic barriers, the discussion highlights the real-world factors that can affect a family's ability to participate in feeding interventions. Drawing on emerging research and clinical experience, Michelle and her guests discuss why understanding each family's circumstances is essential to providing individualized, compassionate, and equitable care.

About the Guests: Amy Delaney, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor in Speech Pathology and Audiology at Marquette University. She is the Director of the Neurodevelopmental Feeding and Swallowing Lab, which focuses on identifying a normative reference for feeding development to establish diagnostic criteria and assessment tools for the early and accurate diagnosis of pediatric feeding disorder (PFD).

Ivonne M. Maldonado-De la Rosa, PhD, MLS, CCC-SLP, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology at A.T. Still University and a bilingual speech-language pathologist. Drawing on her background in speech-language pathology and legal studies, her teaching, clinical practice, and research focus on pediatric feeding disorders, dysphagia, social determinants of health, culturally responsive care, and preparing future clinicians to deliver equitable, evidence-based services.

Show Notes:

• Family Guided Routines Based Intervention
• Feeding and Swallowing Milestones
• Hitos de la alimentación y la deglución
• Neurodevelopmental Feeding And Swallowing Lab
• MacSwallow
• It’s Not Picky Eating
• ASHA-PAC
• The Feeding Innovation Lab
• @unleranwithmetheslp
• IDDSI Around the World
• Smells From the Kitchen, Lessons From the Field, Part 1: Creative Dysphagia Strategies
• Hispanic Caucus
• Find Resources

Love Money: Support Feeding Matters

Encouragement, perspective, and practical guidance for taking that first step to becoming a clinical supervisor.

Guest: Katherine Mendez, MA, CCC-SLP, and Justine Springs, MA, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Katherine Mendez, MA, CCC-SLP, and Justine Springs, MA, CCC-SLP, from the University of Memphis to talk about the heart of clinical supervision and the important role supervisors play in shaping the next generation of speech-language pathologists. With honesty and humor, Katherine and Justine share what keeps them coming back to supervision year after year, the qualities that help make a great clinical educator, and how they navigate some of the challenging moments that come with supporting student clinicians.

About the Guests: Justine Springs is a clinical instructor and former Co-Director of Clinical Education at the University of Memphis. Having held multiple positions at the university, she has always enjoyed working as a clinical educator. She has eight years of clinical supervision experience. Her passion lies in working clinically with graduate students and seeing their growth alongside the aphasia patients they serve together.

Katherine Mendez is Co-Director of Clinical Education in Speech Language Pathology at the University of Memphis. Her clinical work focused on language, literacy, and executive function, but she is also passionate about clinician education. She began serving as a clinical educator as soon as she was eligible to after completing her CF, and she is now in her 12th year of supervising students. In her current role, she supports clinical faculty and off-site clinical educators in their efforts to provide high-quality, enriching, and inspiring clinical education experiences.

Show Notes:

• Supervision in Practice Courses
• Anderson J. L. (1988). The supervisory process in speech language pathology and audiology. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
• Clinical Supervision in Speech-Language Pathology. (2026). ASHAWeb. https://www.asha.org/policy/tr2008-00296/
• McCrea, E.S. & Brasseur, J.A. (2019). The Clinical Education and Supervisory Process in Speech-Language Pathology.
• O’Connor, L. (2008). A Look at Supervision in the 21st Century. The ASHA Leader, 13(5), 14–18. https://doi.org/10.1044/leader.ftr2.13052008.14
• Supervision. (2026). ASHAWeb. https://www.asha.org/practice/supervision/

Love Money Cause: University of Memphis NSSLHA

Strengthening collaboration to improve access, connection, and opportunities for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Guests: Tena McNamara, AuD, CCC-A, Laura Parnell, AuD, CCC-A, and Kim Fiorentino, AuD, CCC-A

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this live episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, celebrates Educational Audiology Week with Tena McNamara, AuD, CCC-A, Laura Parnell, AuD, CCC-A, and Kim Fiorentino, AuD, CCC-A, for a joyful conversation about the power of collaboration in supporting children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Together, they explore how educational audiologists, SLPs, early intervention providers, educators, and families can work together to create strong, supportive pathways as children transition across settings.

About the Guests: Dr. Tena McNamara is the coordinator of the Cultural and Informational Hearing Center in Peoria, IL. She retired as an associate professor from the Communication Disorders and Sciences Department at Eastern Illinois University and as an educational audiologist with the Special Education Association of Peoria County. She has been a practicing audiologist for over 40 years and has held dual certification in speech-language pathology for 33 years.

Laura Parnell, AuD, CCC-A, is an educational audiologist at the University of Texas at Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders. She is a contracted services provider for the Plano Regional Day School Program for the Deaf, which serves deaf and hard of hearing students in a center-based program. She coordinates Educational Audiology Awareness Week for the Educational Audiology Association.

Kim Fiorentino, AuD, CCC-A, is the Implantable Device Program Coordinator at the University of Texas at Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders. She provides comprehensive audiological care for children who use cochlear implants and bone anchored hearing devices.

Show Notes:

• Educational Audiology Association: www.edaud.org
• Practice Standards & Resources
• IEPs, 504s & School Law
• Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Pediatric Audiology Links to Services
• American Board of Audiology: Certificate Holder—Educational Audiology® (CH-EdAud)
• www.infanthearing.org

Love Money Cause: Support EAA

A conversation examining the intersection of systems, bias, and clinical practice to promote equitable feeding experiences for all students.

Guest: Lily Glasgo, PhD, OTR/L

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, sits down with Lily Glasgo, PhD, OTR/L, to explore how bias, policy, and politics have shaped the history of school meals and what that means for children today. Through the lens of institutional feeding systems, this conversation examines how school-based meal programs influence participation, access, and outcomes for students, particularly those with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). Together, they discuss the role of school-based clinicians, including the balance between therapeutic intervention and maintaining safe feeding practices, and how interprofessional collaboration can support more inclusive, student-centered care.

About the Guest: Lily M. Glasgo, PhD, OTR/L, (she/her) is an OT who is passionate about system level change to support kids with significant support needs. She gained clinical experience in outpatient and school based feeding before completing her PhD in Occupational Science from UNC Chapel Hill. Now, as an assistant professor at Pacific University, she teaches pediatrics and engages in a variety of research projects about pediatric feeding disorder.

Show Notes:

• Contact Lily
• The Feeding Link
• Feeding Matters Directory
• National Education Association
• Virginia Department of Health - Maternal Mental Health

Books:

• The Astral Library by Kate Quinn
• Feeding Tubes and Crushing on Dudes by Hannah Setzer

Love Money Cause: Spoon Foundation

This episode offers practical guidance on building a feeding practice that is clinically sound, ethical, and sustainable.

Guest: Jean Hawney, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this episode of First Bite, host Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Jean Hawney, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC, to break down some of the biggest barriers pediatric SLPs face when considering private practice, from mindset blocks and finding your niche to the logistical challenges of getting started. Michelle and Jean dig into what SLPs need to consider when building a feeding-focused practice, including scope of practice, advanced training, ethical decision-making, and the resources that can help guide the process.

About the Guest: Jean Hawney, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC is a pediatric speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist, and the founder of Little Eaters & Talkers, a multidisciplinary private practice based in Houston, Texas. Jean specializes in infant and pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, with a focus on medically complex infants, bottle aversion, early feeding development, and caregiver coaching.

Show Notes:

• The American Association of People with Disabilities

Contact Jean:

• IG: @littleaters_talkers
• Website: thelittleeaters.com

Love Money Cause: Hope for Minds

Trauma-sensitive care and interprofessional collaboration to better support children and families.

Guest: Lauren Thompson, MEd, CCC-SLP, CLC, and Allissa Younan, MS, OTR/L

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Lauren Thompson, MEd, CCC-SLP, CLC, and Allissa Younan, MS, OTR/L, to discuss how combining clinical perspectives can strengthen care for children with feeding challenges, sensory differences, nervous system dysregulation, and other complex needs. They consider what may be behind a child’s apparent refusal, shifting the focus from a child who “won’t” participate to one who may not yet feel safe, regulated, or supported enough to engage.

About the Guests: Lauren Thompson, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, CLC, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor, and the owner of Well Fed Feeding & Swallowing Therapy in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Since 2012, she has supported infants and children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder, dysphagia, lactation challenges, ARFID, and feeding-related trauma across inpatient rehabilitation, hospital-based outpatient care, Level II and III NICUs, and public schools.

Allissa Younan, MS, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist, TBRI practitioner, and owner of Holistic Abilities where she is passionate about helping children and families thrive through evidence-informed, relationship-based care. She specializes in sensory processing, feeding, and supporting children to make gains in their everyday life.

Contact the Guests:

• Lauren Thompson on LinkedIn
• Lauren’s Website: www.wellfedfeedingtherapy.com
• Allissa Younan on LinkedIn

Show Notes:

• Feeding Matters
• Trauma-sensitive Definition
• Trust‑Based Relational Intervention
• Dr. Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain
• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
• Pediatric Feeding Disorder Consensus Definition and Conceptual Framework
• AB-SSD 2026 Summer Webinar Series - Pediatric
• Empowering Providers Through Transforming Pediatric Feeding Journeys Courses:
• Trust-based relational intervention (TBRI): A systemic approach to complex developmental trauma
• Love Money Cause: www.feedingmatters.org

References:

• Hockey, R., Philpott-Robinson, K., Haracz, K., & Ray, K. (2025). Trauma-informed or sensory-based practices in preschool settings: A scoping review. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 72(3), e70027. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.70027
• Purvis, K. B., Cross, D. R., Dansereau, D. F., & Parris, S. R. (2013). Trust-based relational intervention (TBRI): A systemic approach to complex developmental trauma. Child & Youth Services, 34(4), 360–386. https://doi.org/10.1080/0145935X.2013.859906
• Smith, M. L. (2021). The connected therapist: Relating through the senses. Marti Smith Seminars.
• Williams, M. S., & Shellenberger, S. (1994). How does your engine run? TherapyWorks.

Learn from Margaryta’s "C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T." EI SLP framework to support functional, collaborative, and family-centered intervention.

Guest: Margaryta Kuzmin, MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BE

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Margaryta Kuzmin, MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BE, a bilingual pediatric speech-language pathologist and early intervention provider, for a joyful and empowering discussion about the many hats SLPs wear in early intervention. From feeding and dysphagia to communication, caregiver coaching, and collaboration, this episode celebrates the meaningful, real-life work happening in homes and everyday routines. Michelle and Margaryta redefine what it means to be a “confident” EI SLP, reminding us that confidence is not about knowing everything. It is about trusting your foundation, staying curious, and showing up with intention.

About the Guest: Margaryta Kuzmin is a bilingual speech-language pathologist based in New York City with over 15 years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and school-age children with complex communication, feeding, and developmental needs. She specializes in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, AAC, and working with medically complex populations.

Show Notes:

Contact Margaryta:

• IG: @kuzminslp
• LinkedIn
• Website: kuzminslp.com
• Courses
• Free Online AAC Boards

Resources:

• American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders 2026 Summer Webinar Series
• Feeding Matters
• Family Guided Routies Based Intervention
• HealthyChildren.org
• IDDSI
• Go Team Go! Interprofessional Practice for Pediatric Feeding in the Schools
• Guide to Supporting Pediatric Feeding Disorders in Schools
• Pediatric Feeding Disorder and the School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist: An Evidence-BasedUpdate for Clinical Practice

Love Money: 1p36 Deletion Support & Awareness

Unpack the myths, realities, and clinical considerations surrounding pediatric concussions with an interprofessional team from The University of Tulsa's Concussion Center.

Guests: Laura Wilson, PhD, CCC-SLP, CBIST; Rachel Hildebrand, PhD, LAT/ATC, CBIS; and Jennifer Steward, PhD

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by an interprofessional team from The University of Tulsa's Concussion Center. Together, they explore common misconceptions about concussions, including how symptoms present differently across toddlers, children, and adolescents, and why recognizing these differences is critical for timely identification and care. The conversation also highlights important topics such as second impact syndrome, current best practices in concussion management, and the role of interprofessional collaboration in supporting recovery.

About the Guest(s): Laura Wilson, PhD, CCC-SLP, CBIST, is an Associate Professor in Communication Sciences & Disorders at The University of Tulsa. She is a Co-Director of the Concussion Center and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer. Her clinical and research interest is acquired brain injuries, with a specific focus on concussion.

Rachel Hildebrand, PhD, LAT/ATC, CBIS is a Clinical Associate Professor of Athletic Training at The University of Tulsa. She is the co-Director of the Concussion Center at The University of Tulsa. Her research has highly focused on interdisciplinary concussion management, specifically for those experiencing prolonged concussion recovery.

Jennifer Steward, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an Applied Associate Professor of Psychology at The University of Tulsa. She has been a member of the concussion team since the Concussion Center’s opening, and supervises advanced clinical psychology doctoral students in their work as part of the interdisciplinary team.

Show Notes:

• University of Tulsa Concussion Center
• Heads Up CDC
• HEADS UP to Schools: Online Concussion Training
• Pedsconcussion.com
• Concussioninsportgroup.com
• Love Money: Support The University of Tulsa

Explore the realities of addressing dysphagia and pediatric feeding disorder in schools.

Guest: Mary Dooher, MA, CCC-SLP,

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this episode of the First Bite podcast, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, sits down with Mary P. Dooher, MA, CCC-SLP, a passionate school-based clinician and advocate from Alaska, for a heartfelt and energizing conversation about supporting students with feeding and swallowing needs in the school setting. Drawing from her journey across medical and educational environments, Mary shares how her work in pediatric feeding and swallowing evolved into systems-level advocacy within her district, state, and national organizations.

About the Guest: Mary P. Dooher, M.A., CCC-SLP, has been a school-based SLP in Wasilla, Alaska, for 15 years. She has experience in public schools, hospitals, SNFs, and home health settings. Mary is a strong advocate within her school district and the State of Alaska to increase awareness of/needs of students with dysphagia. She is an active member of her local union, MSEA, and the state association, NEA-Alaska.

Show Notes:

Feeding Matters PFD in Schools

Go Team Go! Interprofessional Practice for Pediatric Feeding in the Schools

ASHA Voices: Engaging With Teacher Unions and Education Associations in Schools