In this episode, Michelle and Erin discuss a topic dear to their hearts: busting common myths surrounding the utilization of speech-generating AAC devices in early intervention. The ladies of First Bite spend this hour empowering listeners on the steps to initiate a speech-generating device (SGD) trial within the world of EI, how to overcome common barriers such as the myth “but the device will prevent them from talking,” how to engage and encourage caregivers to use an SGD AAC device during their daily routines, as well as troubleshooting the simple steps to submit for insurance approval.

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Beyond Words with Garrett Oyama

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Guest: Cuyler Romeo, M.O.T., OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC - In this course, our guest Cuyler, who is a PFD advocate extraordinaire, discusses the recent changes to best practices for NICU discharge for infants with a pediatric feeding disorder. She highlights updates from the National Perinatal Association, discusses common barriers to successful discharge, and best yet how we can engage in improved continuity of care for these little ones to set them up for long-term success.

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Beyond Words with Garrett Oyama

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Guest: Marina Shipilova, MS, CCC-SLP - In this course, the presenter discusses her successful strategies for connecting with families from different cultures, the most common empowering advice she gives to families, and how to hold crucial conversations to embolden caregivers when barriers exist to accessing the highest quality services available to them. Michelle and Marina share some of their more memorable moments from the field (the flops and successes) to inspire us all to embrace the joy and evidence of caregiver coaching.

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Beyond Words with Garrett Oyama

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Guest: Raquel Garcia, SLPD, CCC-SLP, CNT, BCS-S - In this course, the presenter discusses hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and how this devastating diagnosis can result in pediatric dysphagia. We learn about new resources and organizations, such as “Hope for HIE”, that are educating and advocating interprofessional practice partners and caregivers about the most current research to advance the quality of care for even our littlest patients.

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Beyond Words with Garrett Oyama

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Guest: Jennifer Casteix, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode, discuss how to mentor the next generation of pediatric feeding disorder clinicians. Do you have a waitlist a mile-long for your services? Do you have a calling to do “more” for our profession, but are unsure of where to begin? Do you have a bit of wit along with your PFD wisdom and a desire to share it? Then join Jennifer as she inspires us to take up the mantle of Clinical Supervision and Mentorship! Learn an update on the current state of affairs of pediatric feeding disorder coursework in graduate school to understand the knowledge base students are coming to us with, and then embrace the conversation regarding different adult learning styles as strategies to effortlessly train our profession’s future.

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Beyond Words with Garrett Oyama

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In this episode, Michelle and Erin will focus on clarifying the differences between “playful” and “play-based” language therapy and how this approach can make your therapy more functional and fun! The power of “play” is one of the most powerful tools in our toolboxes even recognized and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. But, how do we embrace this approach effectively and overcome the barriers in our sessions? Erin and Michelle will clarify misconceptions and inspire listeners with an “easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy” evidence-based plan to assist in their next therapy sessions.

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Beyond Words with Garrett Oyama

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Guests: Kylie Jeffrey, MS, OTR/L & Serena Murison, MS, CCC-SLP - This episode is an hour dedicated to understanding what neurodiversity-affirming intervention is. The guests explore some evidence-based sources of information regarding this fundamental shift in clinical service delivery, and most importantly functional strategies to effectively implement this approach.

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Beyond Words with Garrett Oyama

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Guest: Jessie L. Ginsburg, M.S., CCC-SLP - Jessie joins the ladies of First Bite and explores what sensory integration is and why speech-language pathologists need to understand its impact. They will also discuss the speech-language pathologists’ role in implementing sensory strategies as well as describe two strategies for improving regulation during pediatric speech therapy sessions.

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Beyond Words with Garrett Oyama

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Michelle and Erin discuss how a little one’s diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) can impact functional communication and potentially result in a pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). It is important for a clinician to understand how the four major groups of CP differentiate from one another because each presentation comes with its own treatment considerations given unique comorbidities. Join Michelle and Erin as they deep dive into how the four classifications of CP can impact access to functional communication and feeding.

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Beyond Words with Garrett Oyama

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Guest: Ed Bice, MEd., CCC-SLP - Have you ever taken a course and thought, “Wow! Yes! This is what my patients need!” and then felt a little embarrassed at how you were previously treating their dysphagia deficits? Why do we have those dysphagia competency concerns, to begin with? If you have ever asked the “why,” then join Michelle and Ed as they explore the limitations in professional preparedness. Ed walks us through how limitations in academic coursework (even down to textbook selection) impact professional preparedness for clinical competency but then offers functional solutions to remedy the situation.

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Beyond Words with Garrett Oyama

Subscribe to Beyond Words with Garrett Oyama, a new podcast from Speech Therapy PD