First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

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 Erin Forward, MSP CF-SLP, where they will tackle the often elusive but ideal Interprofessional Practice approach for Early Intervention. Michelle and Erin, amongst countless other EI Clinicians out there in the field, often feel completely alone and isolated when treating patients in their natural environments. Do you too struggle with lack of team support, lack of open dialogue between practitioners, and do you also often feel that these breakdowns do a disservice to the patient and their progress? Well today’s episode is all about inspiring change and learning how to embrace and establish a true Interprofessional Practice in the world of EI.

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 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 this episode, Dr. Toomey sheds light on best practice regarding the term ARFIDS, gives functional advice on what terminology should be used instead, discusses the prevalence of food allergies amongst our “picky eaters”, as well as giving functional advice for those that want to make a jump from a different setting into treating pediatric feeding disorders. It’s a whirlwind of an hour, but an hour with Dr. Toomey that is absolutely mind expanding!

In this episode Michelle is joined once again by the petite powerhouse that is Cheris Frailey MA CCC-SLP, Program Director with the Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Professions and Occupations for the State of Colorado, in Jefferson County, CO, who shared insights on Conflict Resolution in Episode 28. Today Cheris shifts gears and focuses on bringing balance to our clinical selves. We uncover the true definition of balance, why we seek it and need all 4 areas of it, and then how to apply our new understanding of balance into our daily grind. Take a breath, run a bit slower, turn the volume up, and let her soothing words hit just the right spot!

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 is joined once again by her partner in nerdy SLP Adventures Erin Forward, MSP CF-SLP. Have you been scratching your head trying to figure out this whole “Coaching Model” for EI? Well scratch no more! The Lovely Ladies of First Bite are going to provide the framework and guidance that explains why and how to use the “Coaching Model”, then take it another step further and address how to implement it for the medically fragile child on your caseload. Worry not, they will then offer functional advice on how to implement the “Coaching Model” with individual caregivers in the patient’s life, everyone from the Marvelous Momma to the Regal RN! Hope you enjoy the coaching on how to be a better coach!