First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

In this episode Michelle is joined a Classy Carolina gal Mrs. Carla Brown, MSP CCC-SLP, Lead SLP/Owner, of SLP Services, Inc., in Whiteville, NC. Together they work to free you from the fears, spoken and unspoken, that dwell in your heart that is currently stopping you from stepping out and opening your own private practice! Carla, successful 21 year private practice business owner, offers 3 strategies for starting a private practice, 3 of the most common mistakes that new owners need to avoid, as well as how to use social media and marketing to help your business reach all those that you have been called to serve. Sit back and soak up some inspiration, served with a side of sass!

In this episode Michelle is joined by her mentor and friend Dr. Fred Garner, ENT, of “ENT for Kids”. Not only did Dr. Garner assist Michelle in her role as “Momma Bear”, by addressing both of her own son’s airway concerns, but he has also dramatically impacted the lives of countless children in the midlands of SC by expediting their healing process through medical management of the “aero” portion of their respective aerodigestive tracts. Do you have kiddo on your caseload that seems to be “stuck” on pureed foods, or do you have a patient that keeps hitting repeat on their upper respiratory infections, or can’t seem to shake that “junky” stridor sound at rest or in play? Well then, sit back in awe as Dr. Garner shares a lifetime’s worth of experience to help our professions better understand and support each other in the care of these little ones.

In this episode Michelle and Diane tackle typical development for a healthy growing mouth, as well as a compare contrasting factors in an evaluation between bottle and breast-feeding. They round out this dynamic hour with a crash course on which team member to consult with if systems are starting to go awry.

In this episode Michelle is joined once again by Miss Erin Forward, MSP CF-SLP, where they tackle some common, some not so common, and a few rare genetic syndromes…and how they can result in an oropharygneal dysphagia or feeding aversion. If you have questions regarding some basic terminology on how genetic conditions are inherited or caused…and how they correspond to a child needing services for functional feeding…well then this is the episode for you!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the jovial Jason Wigand, AuD, Assistant Professor and Clinical Director of the Cochlear Implant Program at the University of South Carolina. They have quite the talk for you! Have you scratched your head lately wondering why that patient your working with just isn’t picking up the sounds or words y’all have spent weeks addressing? But…have you seriously considered the impact of their surrounding environment on speech acquisition? How about little sister’s i-pad blaring, older brother gaming in the next room with the surround sound turned all the way up, the wash running in the machine adjacent to where you’ve been working? Those sounds impact our sessions because they limit what our little ones can hear…and Jason is “hear” today to offer functional …and fun…resources!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the esteemed Crystal Murphree-Holden, MA CCC-SLP, who is the Director of Distance Education/Clinical Instructor at the University of South Carolina, as well as VP of Higher Education with SCSHA. She was also a recent recipient of the Honors of the Association for SCSHA. In this episode Crystal and Michelle attempt to clarify the muddied waters of SLPA vs. SLP Scope of Practice! Haven’t heard of an SLPA? Well you’re not alone! Enjoy as Crystal enlightens, educates, and inspires us to consider our scopes in a new light!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the picture of Southern Grace, with a side of tenacity, Miss Leslie Wilfong, MSP CCC-SLP. Are you struggling in your Clinical Fellowship? Are you feeling ill prepared for independent practicing? Or have you run into a figurative wall and don’t know how to scale it? Well, fear not! You are not alone! Join Michelle as she and Leslie troubleshoot some of the common problems that can arise during your coveted “CF Year”. Been there done that, albeit Michelle finished her’s a few years ago, Leslie just wrapped her CF and the freshly “CCC’d” source of advice that you’ve been searching for!

In this episode Michelle is joined once again by her partner in all “thangs” functional pediatric therapy, Miss Erin Forward, MSP CF-SLP, both of them residing in Cola-Town, SC. Tonight, Michelle and Erin rapid fire drill through some of their favorite evidenced-based resources, all to nourish the on-the-run SLP’s soul. In this episode they tackle everything from pediatric dysphagia, pediatric cerebral vascular accidents, to neurogenic language impairments…everything from explanation of etiology, dynamic diagnostics, and thoughtful therapy ideas! Are you feeling perplexed as to where to begin for professional supports? Well stress no-more, Michelle and Erin are here!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the lovely Miss Nicole Patton, Registered Lobbyist with the National Down Syndrome Society, at their Headquarters in Washington, D.C. While Nicole lobbies at a national level, it is more than just a “job” to her, as it comes from a place of love and compassion as she has a sister with special needs. Tune in to this episode and become educated as to what initiatives are currently being advocated for at the national level, how this can impact the patients that we treat in our own small towns, and find out how you can become involved at your local level. Bottom line…all these combined advocacy efforts positively impact the care that we deliver to our patients and Nicole is here to share how!

In this episode Michelle is joined by the short but sassy Andi Lary, MS CCC-SLP, South Carolina’s State Advocate for Reimbursement (STAR) with ASHA, as well as Owner of The Therapy Consortium, Inc., and Owner-Director of One Stop Therapy for Kids. While she wears a variety of proverbial hats, in addition to being a phenomenal clinician, Andi has a true passion for seeing colleagues be successful managing their own private practices. She is a widely respected speaker on all “thangs” private practice and in this episode, Andi lays it out some of the most common pitfalls that new business owners make and how to persevere through them!