Guest: Dyan Dickerson MA, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Floortime-for-the-SLP

In this episode of First Bite, Michelle and Erin welcomes Dyan Dickerson, a certified expert in DIR Floortime and feeding, to explore the intricacies of the Floortime model. Listeners get an inside look into the principles of DIR (Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-based) Floortime and understand its impact on communication and feeding therapy. Diane shares her professional journey, the importance of affect, and how to approach therapy with critical thinking. Tune in to hear case studies and learn practical tips for applying Floortime in both feeding and communication settings.

About the Guest: Dyan Dickerson is an ASHA (USA) and RCLST (UK) certified speech-language pathologist who graduated with both her B.S. and M.A. degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Florida. While in school, Dyan became passionate about The Floortime Approach while working privately with a family, where she used the approach with their son for nearly four years (Hi, J!). After graduation, Dyan moved to Washington, D.C., to work at The Floortime Center for six years, where she later became the lead speech-language pathologist. Dyan provided services in the private practice setting, school-based therapy, home services, and throughout the community. She saw clients in individual sessions and group therapy as well as provided intensive services for families around the world as part of a collaborative team. Dyan is Floortime trained and holds certification in the S.O.S. Approach to Feeding and Integrated Listening Therapy (iLs) and training with Gestalt Language Processing. While working at The Floortime Center, Dyan traveled to Budapest to present on Foodtime, a feeding program she co-developed, as well as Miami to present on both Foodtime and speech-language therapy using the Greenspan Floortime Approach. Dyan is a collaborative volunteer for The Greenspan Approach online course - an ASHA-approved C.E. program - she holds licensure in Florida and the UK. Dyan believes in a developmental, whole-child approach to therapy and uses The Floortime Approach to support children and their families. Dyan is soon moving back to Tampa, Florida, and will support clients and families in person and virtually.

Mentioned in this episode:

Nourishing Connection: Trauma-Informed Feeding Therapy a course from Erin Forward

This comprehensive course supports you in providing authentic, trauma-informed feeding therapy for neurodivergent and medically complex clients. Through 18 hours of ASHA CEU credits, you’ll engage with a weekly live lecture (that can be rewatched as a recorded version) plus dedicated office hours for additional questions if you’re unable to join live. You’ll gain access to a supportive group for ongoing discussion and receive a 50+ page ebook filled with valuable resources, including a goal bank. Explore the key principles of mealtime literacy—connection, comfort, and curiosity—designed to help children engage with food in a way that respects their individuality. Scroll down for a detailed topic breakdown and start building your confidence in a flexible, child-centered approach to feeding therapy.

Guest: Travis Threats, PhD, CCC-SLP

GoFundMe link referenced in intro: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-chriss-love-legacy-through-his-daughters

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=A-Conversation-on-the-Intersection-of-Faith-between-Clinicia

In this heartfelt episode of 'First Bite,' host Michelle Dawson and guest Dr. Travis Threats dive deep into the intersection of faith, healing, and cultural awareness within the field of speech therapy. From personal stories of overcoming grief and professional struggles to examining the role of faith in patient care, this episode explores how spiritual beliefs and cultural backgrounds profoundly influence therapeutic practices. Viewers will learn about the importance of humility in practice, honoring diverse traditions, and the ethical considerations of treating clients from various faiths and cultures. Join us for an enlightening conversation on bringing light, hope, and joy to the pediatric speech therapy community.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Welcome to First Bite

05:46 Introducing Dr. Travis Threats

08:30 Faith and Professional Practice

16:21 Cultural Competence in Speech Therapy

33:05 Client's Unexpected Reaction

34:08 Faith and Professionalism

35:34 Navigating Religious Differences

38:57 Handling Bias in Clinical Settings

42:14 Cultural Sensitivity in Practice

56:44 Faith in Healthcare Professions

01:01:26 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

First Bite is now on YouTube - https://youtu.be/khogy7_oMjM

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice.

Guest: Dr. Richard Noel, MD

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=The-Medical-Domain-of-Pediatric-Feeding-Disorder

In this episode, Dr. Richard Noel joins the discussion to shed light on Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and its medical domain. Dr. Noel shares his journey to becoming a pediatric GI specialist and explores the critical components of managing PFD. Key topics include the importance of growth and nutrition, management of upper GI tract issues, and the significance of airway and lung concerns. Dr. Noel also addresses common misconceptions about reflux in infants and the use of various appetite stimulants such as ciproheptadine and mirtazapine. Viewers will gain valuable insights into constipation management, the role of scheduled toileting, and the importance of multidisciplinary care in treating PFD. The conversation underscores the need for better medical understanding and care strategies for children with PFD.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:41 Journey to Becoming a Pediatric Gastroenterologist

05:32 Understanding Pediatric Feeding Disorders

06:51 Medical Domain of PFD: Key Considerations

08:24 Addressing Nutritional Concerns

14:17 Managing Constipation in PFD

21:39 Behavioral Strategies for Feeding

23:36 Family Involvement in Feeding Therapy

26:04 Family Routines and Feeding Therapy

26:47 Medications for Appetite Stimulation

27:03 Ciproheptadine: Uses and Effects

31:18 Mirtazapine: An Appetite Stimulant

34:49 Megastrol: A Powerful Appetite Stimulant

37:07 Managing GI Issues in Children

38:03 Reflux and Vomiting in Infants

43:09 Cyclical GI Disorders: Abdominal Migraines and More

47:20 The Role of Multidisciplinary Teams in Pediatric Care

48:56 Challenges in Pediatric Feeding Disorder Education

53:46 Advocacy and Access to Multidisciplinary Care

About the Guest: Dr. Richard Noel was born in Mexico City and grew up in San Antonio, TX. He has MD/PhD degrees from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and did a residency in Pediatrics at Wake Forest University in NC. He trained in Pediatric Gastroenterology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where he developed an interest in working with children with pediatric feeding disorders. He worked for 10 years at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin with Dr. Colin Rudolph and then transitioned to Duke University, where is currently Division Chief for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.

Watch this Interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NVGPdIzfobs

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice.

Guests: Jennifer Ruckner, MS CCC-SLP, and Beth Cooper, MOT, OTR/L

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Sensory-Detective-Part-2-A-Closer-Inspection

In this episode, Michelle is joined once again by Jennifer Ruckner, MS CCC-SLP, and Beth Cooper, MOT, OTR/L, for “Sensory Detective Part 2: A Closer Inspection”. In “Part 1” (#3660), Jen and Beth went into detail on the roles and responsibilities of SLPs and OTs with respect to “sensory” and how they can collaborate, and they were just getting started. In “Part 2”, they share why it is so critical to empower caregivers in their child’s sensory journey and how to teach clinicians to do so, starting with the initial evaluation. Jen and Beth then transition to a series of case studies to highlight the impact of the “medical domain” of pediatric feeding disorder on the child’s sensory systems and wrap up with recommendations on when/why taking a break from therapy can be beneficial. Remember, everyone has a role in “sensory,” and we hope that this episode continues to grow your passion for it.

About the Guest(s):

Jennifer Ruckner MS, CCC-SLP received her Bachelor's of Science Degree and a Master's Degree in Communication Disorders from Auburn University. She has been a speech-language pathologist since 1990 working in a variety of settings including Early Intervention, school districts, and private practice. Jennifer piloted a preschool expressive language program for Stafford County Schools. Jennifer specializes in Social/Pragmatic Language, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Expressive Language Disorder, and Feeding Disorders, and is Beckman Oral Motor Certified. She provides services through Telepractice and at home. In 2008, she and partner Patti Minicucci created Tots To Teens Therapy Services to provide speech and language resources in an interdisciplinary approach to the families of Northern Virginia. Jennifer is a Community Ambassador for Feeding Matters, a non-profit, parent-founded organization.

Sharibeth (Beth) Cooper MS, OTR/L received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2004. She has experience working in various settings, including home-based early intervention, teletherapy, school systems, outpatient clinics, and as part of a diagnostic team for a center for autism. She is certified in the Handwriting Without Tears® program, M.O.V.E® program, and Therapeutic Listening®. She has completed advanced continuing education in MORE, Floortime/DIR, Kinesiotaping, The Ready Approach for Self Regulation®, The Alert Program®, TEACCH®, TalkTools, neurodevelopmental techniques, and assistive technology. She has been a presenter at state conferences, parent workshops, universities, daycares, and school programs. Beth also serves as the Clinical Director at Tots to Teens Therapy Services. In her spare time, Beth enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and four children.

YouTube Episode Link: https://youtu.be/VrDBJufQpzo

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice.

Guest: Angelyn Franks, SLPD, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Burnout-and-Mindfulness-for-the-SLP-The-Conversations-we-Nee

Join Erin and Dr. Angelyn Franks in an honest conversation about a topic that most SLPs don’t dive into but have experienced at one time or another: burnout. Dr. Angelyn Franks provides an authentic perspective on what burnout actually is, how to identify it, ways to support someone (or yourself), and proactive strategies. So many SLPs have been outspoken about their stress and frustration within the field and Angelyn is here to provide insight into what we can do to support our mental health in a field we all love.

Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rl39nZGkVGA

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice.

Guest: Carolyn Dolby MS, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Establishing-PFD-and-Dysphagia-Services-in-the-Schools

In this episode, Michelle and Erin are joined by none other than Carolyn Dolby, MS, CCC-SLP, host of the “School of Speech” podcast, and sought-after speaker for how to implement pediatric feeding disorder and dysphagia care in the Schools Carolyn spends this hour sharing her first-hand experience on successfully establishing this PFD/dysphagia management in the Houston, TX school district and how she is doing it again in Portland, OR. If you have wanted insider knowledge on the screening, evaluating, and treating process, how to obtain district-level support, or simply where to start the process, then this is the hour for you.

Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wh-8Lif_DVQ?si=PUPaqqddRWCOdc5z

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice.

Guest: Rachel Archambault, MA CCC-SLP (@PTSD.SLP)

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Taking-a-Bite-out-of-TraumaInformed-Care

In this episode, Michelle and Erin are joined by Rachel Archambault, an SLP Program Specialist for Broward County Public Schools and passionate colleague behind the @PTSD.SLP social media advocacy account. “Trauma-informed care” (TIC) has gained traction within our field in the last few years; however, most of us who practice this approach have never received explicit instruction. Where do we begin? Well, that’s what Rachel and Erin break down in this episode. Tune in as they go through the key principles, discuss preferred resources, and then teach us how to clinically apply it to the little ones we serve in all settings: early intervention, private practice, and even public schools!

About the Guest:

Rachel Archambault, MA CCC-SLP is an SLP Program Specialist for Broward County Public Schools. After a traumatic event happened at her workplace on 2/14/18, she looked for ways to help work with students (and herself) after trauma. She found trauma-informed care and has been presenting nationally to SLPs and other providers on how TIC can be used in their setting. She runs the Instagram account, @PTSD.SLP which discusses TIC from a speech lens.

Hosted by: Michelle Dawson MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S and Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP, CLC, Advanced DIR/Floortime® Provider, TBRI® Trained Practitioner

Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@speechtherapypd

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice.

Guests: Jaclyn Peterson, MHI and William Sharp, PhD

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Feeding-Matters-Leading-the-Way-for-ARFID-and-PFD

In the first episode of 2025, Michelle is joined by Jaclyn Pederson, MHI, CEO of Feeding Matters, and William Sharp, PhD, Director of Children’s Multidisciplinary Feeding Program (Atlanta, GA) and Professor at Emory University School of Medicine, to lay the foundation for a year of combining passion, advocacy, and learning. These guests share their expertise and highlights from a recent journal publication on how the diagnoses of “Pediatric Feeding Disorder” and “Avoidant Restrictive Feeding Intake Disorder” are individualistic while simultaneously overlapping to capture the unique needs of the little ones on our caseloads. Additionally, they share practical insight into the roles and responsibilities of various team members, such as the SLP and the psychologist, in evaluating and treating these little ones as part of an interprofessional practice team.

About the Guests:

Jaclyn Peterson, MHI: With more than a decade of experience in program development, Jaclyn Pederson’s broad knowledge of programming in the public and social sectors includes program and strategic initiative design, fund development, special events, grant writing, and community engagement. A system thinker and positive team builder, she uses transformational leadership principles to develop energized and efficient workgroups that influence significant organizational and systemic change for all affected by pediatric feeding disorder –such as the development of the expanded PFD Alliance. Jaclyn also manages Feeding Matters’ strategic partnerships with numerous professional associations, including the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN).

William Sharp, PhD is a clinical psychologist and professor in the department of pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. He is also the Director of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Multidisciplinary Feeding Program. In this role, Dr. Sharp leads a team of professionals that includes psychologists, physicians, speech-language pathologists, and dietitians who evaluate and treat children with pediatric feeding disorder and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). His research interest focuses on identifying the cause, consequences, and treatment of chronic food refusal in pediatric populations. His most recent work involves developing and evaluating a training curriculum for therapists to deliver a manual-based intervention for food selectivity - or extremely narrow dietary in children with ARFID.

Hosted by: Michelle Dawson MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S

Watch the full video interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@speechtherapypd

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice.

Guest: John Holahan, President of SimplyThick, LLC

Earn .1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Simply-Thick-IDDSI-and-Compassionate-Clinical-Implications

Join Michelle as she welcomes John Holahan, President of SimplyThick, LLC and co-author of Modern Dysphagia Cookbook, for the final episode of 2024. John shares the story behind SimplyThick, its IDDSI connections, and why these insights matter in pediatric care. With his grace, joy, and dedication to supporting others, this episode is a perfect way to end the year on an inspiring note!

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice.

Guest: Kara Jones M.A. CCC-SLP, CBIS

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=Unlocking-the-Power-of-CBIS-for-our-Patients

In this episode, Michelle is joined by Kara Jones, M.A. CCC-SLP, CBIS, Past President of the Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and Dr. Robert A. Hull, Leadership Award recipient, to discuss all things “Certified Brain Injury Specialist”! Not all of us had the opportunity to take advanced coursework in brain injury across the lifespan in graduate school. However, we often encounter cognitive-communication-based disorders on our caseloads and need to know current evidence-based treatments. In this hour, Kara builds us up by sharing functional resources for learning more about the brain, how pursuing the CBIS can benefit the patients we serve, as well as educating us on some of the most common brain injuries we can expect to encounter professionally.

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice.