First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

Guest: Kayla Duncan - Kayla, the Director of Communications and Outreach with the Sexual Assault Resource Center, will discuss a topic that we all need to learn about, assault. The statistics for sexual assault, domestic abuse, and sexual harassment in this country are staggering. One in four will have personal experience, which means the other three will know a colleague, a student, a family member, and/or a patient whose life has been impacted by the assault. Therefore, it is our responsibility, not only to ourselves but also to those that we love and those we are called to serve, to become educated about the signs and symptoms, and red flags for potential behaviors, as well as to learn what community resources are available in the event that they are needed. Yes, this is a potentially triggering and difficult topic to know about. Still, Michelle and Kayla promise to add joy and laughter to leave listeners with a better understanding of what to do when and with the hope that we can collaborate to make the world better truly.

Guests: Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer, PhD, CCC-SLP, Julie Feuerstein, PhD, CCC-SLP, Shirley Huang, PhD, CCC-SLP, Jennifer Tucker PhD, PT, DPT, PCS - In this episode, Michelle is delighted to be joined by an all-star lineup of colleagues to share how the ASHFoundation is leading the way in expediting research to practice. Dr. Julie Barkmeir-Kraemer, who currently serves as an ASHFoundation Board Member, is also a professor in the Dept of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Director of the Voice, Airway, Swallowing Translational (VAST) Research Lab, Clinic Director of the Voice Disorders Center, and Adjunct Faculty to the Dept of CSD at the University of Utah. They are joined by three recipients of the ASHFoundation’s scholarships, including Julie Feuerstein, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, who is an Assistant Professor School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida and runs the Early Communication and Play (ECAP) lab there; Shirley Huang, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, who is currently a health and science policy fellow with the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD)/American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) at the National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; and Jennifer Tucker Ph.D., PT, DPT, PCS is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Program of Physical Therapy at the University of Central Florida, where she serves as the Director of UCF Go Baby Go lab. By the end of this hour, their combined goal is for colleagues to understand the ASHFoundation's mission, identify different research fields that have grown because of their recipient’s funding, and find ways to volunteer.

In this episode, Michelle and Erin are back to discuss pediatric feeding disorder clinical case studies for “Dysphagia Awareness Month." With the addition of the new ICD-10 codes for Pediatric Feeding Disorder, there have been questions on the role and responsibilities of the SLP in diagnosing a PFD and how pediatric dysphagia fits into the diagnostic criteria. Michelle and Erin share resources to answer this question and how to guide allied health and medical health partners in their roles for PFD and pediatric dysphagia diagnoses too. The ladies of “First Bite” then transition to case studies that discuss strategies for intervention and how to engage in the interprofessional practice for optimal patient outcomes for little ones with pediatric dysphagia and PFD.

Special Guests: Goose Danger Dawson, Boo Bear Extreme Dawson, and a cameo by Mr. Dawson. Y'all, in this oh-so-special and definitely not-for-CEs episode, Erin and Michelle are joined by the rest of Pack Dawson to celebrate "First Bite" reaching 1.5 million downloads! So, you've been warned, there are probably 5 minutes cumulatively of fart jokes, a few tearful moments for the big fears and changes that the last five years have brought, belly laughter and smiles to accompany dreams for the future, raw moments of sharing faith, and a whole lot of gratitude for our colleagues and guests. Thank you for joining us and letting us serve you! XOX -M and E

Guest: Kristin King, Ph.D., CCC-SLP - Michelle is joined by Kristin King, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Vice President of Clinical Education and Research for Passy Muir. To continue “Dysphagia Awareness Month,” First Bite is overjoyed to have Dr. King for a conversation on the impact of tracheostomies and dysphagia. Dr. King debunks common myths, then sets the facts straight with how a Passy Muir Speaking valve recreates a closed pressure system, thereby improving opportunities for phonation, cough responses, and even pooping. Tune in to learn more about pediatric tracheostomies, one-way pressure valves, and how they can positively impact a little one with pediatric dysphagia.

Guest: Rachel Hahn Arkenberg, M.S. CCC-SLP, CLC - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Rachel, who is a medical speech-language pathologist and lactation counselor pursuing her Ph.D. with Dr. Georgia Malandraki in the Imaging, Evaluation, and Treatment of Swallowing Lab at Purdue University. Michelle and Rachel felt like the middle of “Dysphagia Awareness Month” was the perfect time to discuss the amazing opportunity that is pursuing a Ph.D. in Dysphagia. Are you a practicing clinician that has more questions than answers with regard to the evidence for evaluations and interventions for pediatric dysphagia and PFD, then this is the episode for you! Tune in as Rachel shares her inspirations for pursuing a Ph.D., the vital role a mentor plays in your pursuit of a Ph.D., the typical day of a Ph.D. candidate, as well as how the curriculum between a master's degree differs from that of a Ph.D.

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.