First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

*** This episode is not available for ASHA CEUs.****

Guests: Nasha Fitter and Nicole Johnson - In this course, Michelle is joined by Natasha Fitter, CEO and Head of Research, as well as Nicole Johnson, President of Communications, for FOXG1 Research Foundation. These two co-founders are here to share how their personal experiences with parenting children with FOXG1 Syndrome led to the creation of this remarkable Research Foundation, which is transforming the lives of countless children worldwide. FOXG1 is known for causing varied and severe Pediatric Feeding Disorders. Not only will Natasha and Nicole share the history of the Foundation, but they will also discuss their latest research and recommendations for best practice for evaluation and treatment of individuals with PFDs secondary to FOXG1.

*** This episode is not available for ASHA CEUs.****

Guest: Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP - In this episode, Michelle is joined by the always lovely and passionate Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP, and they take on the trickiest of tasks…. medical terminology! Has it been many a moon since the days of grad school? Are you feeling unsure of the terms you read in your patient’s file? Uncertain of what to ask for when you call and speak to the patient’s pediatrician’s office? Don’t worry! Erin and Michelle are here to guide you on common terminology used in the NICU, common diagnoses and tests run by the GI, common terms that the RD may use in your collaborative conversation, and common terminology to help you absorb that Neurology report! Join Michelle and Erin and master Medical Terminology for the EI SLP!

*** This episode is not available for ASHA CEUs.****

Guest: Jaclyn Pederson - In this episode, Michelle is joined by the inspirational Jaclyn Pederson, the newly appointed CEO of “Feeding Matters”. By now, you’ve heard Michelle advocate for and encourage volunteers to collaborate with “Feeding Matters,” but today, Jaclyn shares the how and why this advocacy and collaboration are key to expanding knowledge and evidence-based practice surrounding evaluation and treatment of Pediatric Feeding Disorders. Jaclyn takes us on a deep dive into what the “4 Pillars” are that serve as the basis for “Feeding Matters”, discussing the IPP advocacy efforts behind the PFD ICD Code, as well as the development of the ICFQ Questionnaire to assist Pediatricians with their identification of PFD. She then inspires every single one of us on how we can share our time and talents to advance the understanding and treatment for individuals with PFDs. Did I mention the best part? Not only is this organization driven by the intersection of EBP and IPP, but it also places a significant emphasis on family/caregiver involvement as critical to the child’s success. Hip Hip Hooray for a patient/family-centered care PFD Hour!

*** This episode is not available for ASHA CEUs.****

Guest: Dr. Marion Russell, OTD, MOTR/L, SCEF - In this episode Michelle is by the oh-so-joyful Dr. Marion Russell, OTD, MOTR/L, SCEFS, from NoTube.com. Dr. Marion is part of the world renowned “No Tube” Interdisciplinary Therapy Center in Graz, Austria, where they work with families, (both face-to-face and remotely), to assist pediatric patient’s overcome feeding tube dependency…through functional evidenced based practice! In this hour, Dr. Marion discusses the roles and responsibilities of the various members of the team, medical readiness of the candidate, with specific emphasis placed on restoring the heart of mealtime: the healthy relationship between the child, their family/caregiver, and the meal. So, bust out your picnic tablecloth, get your messy feeding clothes ready, and be prepped for an hour of celebrating feeding victories!

*** This episode is not available for ASHA CEUs.****

Guest: Jenine Entwistle Viole, MSP, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT - In this episode, Michelle is joined by Jenine Entwistle Viole, MSP, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, a Speech-Language Pathologist and Auditory-Verbal therapist with Pediatric Speech and Language Services in North Carolina…and if we are lucky, her sidekick, Dennis the Golden Doodle, honorary SLP, will join in too! Have you ever worked with a little one who had hearing loss and felt as if you were missing “something” to help them reach their functional language goals? Jenine is here to explain what an Auditory-Verbal Therapist is and how the specialized training and certification process supplies the evidence for that “something” you felt was missing. This is the perfect follow-up episode to complement Dakota Sharpe, AuD, CCC-A in “The Journey of Cochlear Implants”, from First Bite Episode #109.

Co-Host: Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP - In this episode Michelle is joined by the powerhouse that is Erin Forward, MSP CCC-SLP, when they break down some of their favorite tips for conducting a successful Feeding Therapy Session. If you are struggling with creating optimal position for PO intake, Erin and Michelle will help provide strategies that are low cost to no cost. Have you consider how “busy” the therapy room may appear to the patient that you’re working with…and how that will impact their ability to attend to the activity? Erin and Michelle offer guidance on how to declutter that clinic space and why! Are you feeling frustrated by challenging behaviors during your session…and not sure which steps you need to take to help ease the storm? Erin and Michelle have ideas to bring the calm! Tune in for an hour of evidenced based feeding strategies that work!

*** This episode is not available for ASHA CEUs.****

Guest: Alyson Smith, MS, CCC-SLP - This episode combines the great minds of Alyson Smith, MS, CCC-SLP, from @ei.teletherapy on Instagram, Erin Forward, MSP CCC_SLP, and Michelle L.W. Dawson, MS CCC-SLP, CLC, where they deep dive into evidence-based intervention for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders. Join this electrifying trio as they tackle what the true definition of evidence-based practice is for PFDs, move into explaining exercise principles, and discuss how to implement EBP strategies in your Early Intervention Clinic or Home-Based Services. These three women are on a mission to bring fabulously functional tips to your practice via an hour packed with laughter and #SLPNerdCrushes.

Guest: Morgan Mitchell - In this episode Michelle is joined by once again by Morgan Mitchell, Senior Recruiter with Elevation Healthcare, who last joined us for Episode 101 “Considerations for that Contract Job”. Today he comes back to provide specific advice regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic for both Current Contract Employees and Potential Contract Employees, as they head back to their local schools this Fall. Morgan was gracious enough to spend another hour with us to offer functional advice on what questions contract employees should ask their employers regarding COVID-19 Safety Guidelines and Service Delivery options, as well as EBP resources for service delivery during this ever changing time, and tips on what to do in the event that a Clinician should become quarantined. Bottom line…be safe, be strong, be kind, be patient… and wear your mask.

Guest: Rick McAdoo, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode Michelle is joined by Rick McAdoo, M.S., CCC-SLP, Vice-President and Co-Founder of Ampcare, LLC, an FDA registered medical device and services company in Fort Worth, TX, and adjunct professor at his alma mater, TCU. The efficacy of utilization of NMEs as a potential treatment for Pediatric Oropharyngeal Dysphagia is controversial… check any professional Facebook page for the commentary thread and it can get heated, (to say the least). In this episode, Rick, whose career has focused on the evidence of treatment for utilizing Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) to facilitate better and faster therapeutic outcomes in dysphagia, shares all the details and implications for its use in pediatrics… and y’all it’s a dozey guaranteed to leave you spinning! If you’ve lost referrals to the hospital out-pt clinic down the street who offers NMES for infants, be sure to tune in, because the evidence will joyfully surprise you!

*** This episode is not available for ASHA CEUs.****

Guest: Angela McLeod, PhD, CCC-SLP

In this episode, Michelle is joined once again by Angela N. McLeod, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, who is a Clinical Associate Professor and Speech-Language Pathologist at the University of SC, and has also obtained certification as a qualified orofacial myologist (QOM). This is the sequel to Dr. Angela’s first appearance in Episode #103 “Mythbusting Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders”. Today, Dr. Angela discusses who is an appropriate pediatric candidate for orofacial myofunctional therapy, with emphasis on developmental age, prerequisites to participation, what an evaluation includes, and what an evidence-based treatment session includes. There’s a lot of ground to cover with these two ladies, so hang tight for another mythbusting session!