First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

Guests: Kelly Farquharson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BSC-CL, F-ASHA, & Jennifer M. Simpson, AuD, CCC-A - The ASHA Convention may only happen once a year, but the planning and dedication that leads up to those few days starts two years before the go-live date. In this candid episode, Kelly and Jennifer share behind-the-scenes data on everything from convention registration numbers, variety in convention topic committees, and ways our colleagues volunteer their time to propel our fields forward. So, if you have ever wondered about the process involved in a “call for papers” or how you can become more involved in convention, this is the episode for you.

Guest: Sarah Breshears, MA, CCC-SLP & Savanah Reaser - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Sarah Breshears, MA, CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist, founder of Short and Sweet Speech, CEO of Social Moguls, author of “Short and Sweet Stories,” and her niece Savanah Reaser, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, and illustrator of “Short and Sweet Stories.” With spring break upon us and summer knocking at the door, a fair few of us are contemplating the inevitable question, “Should we return to this job?” “Am I truly using all of my talents here?” or “Am I destined for more?”. These honest and raw questions get to our hearts; they stir at our souls, because we want and deserve more than our Monday through Friday, the bare bones of our 9-5 grind. But can we actually do it? Can we take that leap of faith and become an “SLP Entrepreneur”? The answer is YES! Join Michelle, Sarah, and Savanah as they discuss options for expanding upon your baseline skills to enter into SLP businesses and the benefits of using social media.

Guest: Emily Starling, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle and Erin are joined by Emily Starling, the host of the Neurotwist podcast, who shares her experience being an SLP who was later identified as autistic. Emily, Michelle, and Erin have an honest, authentic discussion of neurodiversity-affirming practices and what that means in the context of EI. Erin, Michelle, and Emily share their experiences navigating the world of clinical practice and how they have implemented neurodiversity-affirming practices, reiterating the importance of listening to autistic voices.

Guest: Stephanie Michelle Sweigart, MS CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle is joined by none other than the “Golden State SLP,” aka Stephanie Michelle Sweigart, MS CCC-SLP, to cover all things of Therapeutic Presence. If you’ve met Stephanie, then you know that a conversation with her feels like a warm hug. Why? Because she has spent years cultivating her emotional intelligence, regulation, and therapeutic presence to be fully engaged and present in those moments. Stephanie provides her new take on the three “C’s”: “Center,” “Connection,” and “Communication." The outcome is improved therapeutic presence with those that we serve.

Guest: Jennifer Ruckner, MS CCC-SLP, & Beth Cooper, MOT, OTR/L - Michelle, Jennifer, and Beth encourage you to don your detective cap, procure your magnifying glass, and let the sensory detective training begin. Jennifer and Beth offer foundational guidance on why an SLP needs to understand the unique sensory needs of the little ones we are called to serve. They offer strategies on how to create a dynamic transdisciplinary team, then go in-depth on the roles and responsibilities of the occupational therapist.

Guest: Jenn Rubenstein, MS CCC-SLP - Have you ever stood in AWE watching an eye-gaze user navigate their communication device to express joy but were left scratching your head and wondering, “But how does it work?” In this episode, the ladies of “First Bite” are joined by Jenn Rubenstein, MS CCC-SLP, speech-language pathologist and Clinical Account Executive for Eyegaze, to unlock the mysteries behind the machine. Jenn starts with explanations of the anatomy and physiology, transitions into how the device works to “read” the eye, and then offers an explanation of some diagnoses that could prohibit access for a potential user. Jenn concludes the first of her two-part episode by guiding colleagues through a screening tool to determine if they could potentially benefit from an eye gaze communication device.

Guest: Lindsay Stevens, MA CCC-SLP - Join Michelle and guest Lindsay Stevens, MA CCC-SLP, who brings her years of experience as a clinician and caregiver to help grow your evidenced-based practice regarding infant dysphagia. Are you unsure of what potential positional strategies you can employ to see little ones have joyful and successful feeds? If you have observed behaviors, signs, and symptoms that made you think the infant may need a thickening agent to assist, then this episode is for you. Lindsay is here to guide your clinical decision-making process by providing you with dynamic facts and resources to treat the littlest ones on your caseload!

Guest: Taylor Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Erin is joined by friend and colleague Taylor Anderson, MS, CCC-SLP, to discuss mentor and mentee relationships when it comes to pediatric feeding disorders. In this niche of the speech pathology world, young and seasoned clinicians are constantly looking for support and mentorship to grow their skills for treating this specific population. Erin and Taylor discuss how they build their relationship as mentor and mentee early on, but how that can become very fluid and shift to learn from each other. This episode will dive into what they both knew from working with different mentors, what they found most valuable in their growth with PFD, and how they continue to grow their leadership and mentor skills.

Guest: April Helper, LPC - Michelle is joined for this truly powerful episode by April Helper, LPC, Founder and Executive Director of Adagio House. The Adagio House “exists to provide high-quality, trauma-informed, attachment-based services to all types of caregivers and their loved ones, regardless of their ability to pay.” They engage in comprehensive care through psychotherapy, holistic wellness, mentoring, sustainable gardening, medical and psychiatric services, and psychological testing for neurodiverse individuals from toddlers to adults and their caregivers. April spends this hour talking about the various interprofessional practice partners that make this dream a reality and how to support their clients and caregivers ethically, and she offers strategies to make this a possibility.

Michelle and her favorite co-host Erin Forward, MSP CCC-SLP, CLC, relive the best parts of the 2023 ASHA Convention: Igniting Innovation as it relates to all things neurodiversity-affirming care and pediatric feeding disorder. Michelle and Erin, who both volunteer in convention planning, as well as at the convention, attended several courses and are bringing their favorite new facts directly to you! So, whether your current clinical setting is working in the NICU, Early Intervention, or even as a full-time or adjunct faculty member, the ladies of “First Bite” have you covered. To start, they’ll share the exciting ASHA Advocacy news, then discuss neurodiversity-affirming trends and applications to intervention, the value of personal/professional growth to learning new evidenced-based approaches, and round out with the role of implementation science in pediatric feeding disorder.