Making Sense with Madi the SLP

What does responsive feeding therapy look like when viewed through both a clinical and personal lens?

Guest: Rachel Conrad, MS, CCC-SLP

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In this episode of Making Sense with Madi, host Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, welcomes Rachel Conrad, MS, CCC-SLP, to discuss responsive feeding therapy and its role in supporting individuals with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

Drawing from her experience as both an SLP and an individual living with ARFID, Rachel offers a unique perspective on the importance of autonomy, trust, and building positive relationships with food and eating. She shares how a responsive feeding approach can help clinicians better understand and respect individual needs while creating more supportive feeding experiences.

Throughout the episode, Rachel offers practical strategies for incorporating responsive feeding principles into clinical practice, emphasizing honoring autonomy and fostering a positive, individualized approach to feeding therapy.

About the Guest: Rachel Conrad M.A. CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and the founder of Bite & Bloom Therapy, LLC. She focuses on pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), swallowing disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), providing specialty feeding and communication care for individuals with complex needs. With over eight years of clinical experience and her own lived experience with ARFID, Rachel is passionate about bridging evidence-based practice with compassionate, neuroaffirming care.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn, Instagram, Function First

Contact Rachel Conrad: Instagram, Bite and Bloom Therapy

Get Permission Institute

Feeding Matters

Tiny cues. Meaningful connections. A more responsive approach to infant feeding.

Guest: Ramya Kumar, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

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In this episode of Making Sense with Madi, Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Ramya Kumar, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, a board-certified swallowing specialist and neonatal feeding specialist, to discuss trauma-informed care in infant feeding therapy.

Ramya shares how responsive feeding approaches can support infants while honoring their cues, comfort, and individual needs. She and Madi discuss why caregiver involvement is such an important part of infant feeding therapy and how clinicians can build trust and support families throughout the process.

The episode also explores what it means to provide trauma-informed care for both infants and caregivers, including how past medical and feeding experiences can shape feeding interactions. Clinicians will learn ways to approach infant feeding with greater sensitivity to the family's experiences while supporting responsive, relationship-centered care.

About the Guest: Ramya Kumar, MS, CCC‑SLP, BCS‑S, is a board‑certified speech‑language pathologist and neonatal feeding specialist with more than 13 years of experience caring for medically complex infants and children across NICU, inpatient, and outpatient settings. She holds advanced certifications in swallowing disorders, neonatal therapy, lactation, developmental care, and trauma‑informed practice, and is recognized for her expertise in infant feeding, nutrition, and developmental care. Ms. Kumar has served as a NICU Developmental Specialist at a Level 3 NICU in Arizona, where she led multidisciplinary developmental care initiatives, supported quality improvement and benchmarking efforts, and provided neuroprotective, family‑centered care for hospitalized infants. She is also the Director of Arizona NICU Follow‑Up Specialists, where she provides specialized feeding and developmental services for NICU graduates and collaborates closely with physicians, dietitians, and allied health professionals to support infants and families across the hospital‑to‑home transition.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn, Instagram, Function First

Contact Ramya Kumar: LinkedIn, Instagram

SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach

Beyond Behaviors, Second Edition: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Behavioral Challenges

Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids

Pediatric Feeding Disorder: Consensus Definition and Conceptual Framework

B.D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. Handouts

Feeding Problems in Young Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Sweden

The Worry Cycle of Feeding: Part I for Adoption Month

Manual and alternative therapies as non-pharmacological interventions for pain and stress control in newborns: a systematic review

The relationship between chronic paediatric feeding disorders and caregiver stress

“I was so worried about every drop of milk” – feeding problems at home are a significant concern for parents after major heart surgery in infancy

Bring more evidence and confidence to the feeding therapy table.

Guests: Jeanne Marshall, PhD, B Sp. Path & Valerie Gent, BAppSc, MMedRes, PhD Candidate

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In this episode of Making Sense with Madi, host Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Jeanne Marshall, PhD, B Sp. Path, and Valerie Gent, BAppSc (Speech Pathology), MMedRes, PhD Candidate, to examine the evidence behind responsive feeding therapy and its use with children with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID).

Responsive feeding and responsive feeding therapy are closely related, but they are not the same. Jeanne and Valerie explain the distinction between the two, trace the foundations of responsive feeding therapy, and discuss the research supporting its use as a treatment framework. They also highlight key benefits of a responsive approach and what the evidence can tell clinicians about applying these principles in feeding therapy.

This episode will strengthen your understanding of the research behind responsive feeding therapy and help you feel more confident using this framework when supporting children with PFD and ARFID.

About the Guests: Dr. Jeanne Marshall, PhD, B Sp Path, is an experienced practicing speech pathologist and internationally recognised researcher and educator in pediatric feeding disorder. She holds a conjoint research fellow position between Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service and The University of Queensland, where her research is embedded within a health service environment and driven by the needs of children and families, as well as the clinicians that care for them. Her work spans better diagnostics, early intervention, and awareness and advocacy for pediatric feeding disorder, with a strong focus on preventative health.

Valerie Gent is a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist with more than 20 years’ experience working across the lifespan in Dysphagia. She is the Director of Let’s Eat! Feeding Therapy and Co-Director of Feeding Therapy Australia. Val published a kids’ book: “But I’m NOT Hungry for my Dinner” which was shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Australia Award in 2022. She also completed a Master of Medical Research exploring the impact of feeding differences for autistic children, graduating with an Award of Excellence in Research Thesis in 2023. Val is currently completing a PhD on a full -time scholarship (2024-2027) at the University of Queensland, focusing on Responsive Feeding Therapy.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn, Instagram, Function First

Contact Jeanne Marshall: LinkedIn, Instagram, The University of Queensland

Contact Valerie Gent: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Research Gate

Full resource list available on the course page.

Support responsive feeding while honoring each child’s autonomy.

Guest: Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC

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In this episode of Making Sense with Madi the SLP, Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, to discuss what responsive feeding therapy looks like in practice.

Jenny shares a practical framework for bringing the values of responsive feeding therapy into feeding sessions while honoring each child’s autonomy around eating. She explains how to apply these principles across different populations and adapt them to meet the needs of individual children and families.

You’ll also learn how to meaningfully include caregivers in sessions, helping them understand and carry over responsive feeding practices during meals and everyday routines.

About the Guest: Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor specializing in feeding across the lifespan—from newborns to adolescents—as well as pediatric motor speech disorders. With over 20 years of clinical experience, she empowers caregivers with the confidence and competence to be their child’s best feeding and communication partner. In 2005, Jenny developed the STEPS feeding program at the UT Dallas Callier Center to support and promote feeding development in preschool-aged children. She provides training for graduate students, therapists, teachers, and parents both nationally and internationally. Jenny has been inducted into the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Hall of Fame for her contributions to the field. She also volunteers with Feeding Matters and has been an active TSHA volunteer for many years. She lives in Dallas with her husband, three children, and their rescue dog, Baxter. In her free time, she enjoys reading, organizing, spending time with friends, and cheering on her kids at games.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn, Instagram, Function First

Contact Jenny McGlothlin: LinkedIn, Instagram, Extreme Picky Eating

What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

Helping Your Child with Extreme Picky Eating

Discover how caregiver collaboration can transform feeding therapy.

Guest: Stephanie Cohen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC

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Caregiver involvement is at the heart of successful responsive feeding therapy. In this episode of the Making Sense with Madi the SLP podcast, host Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Stephanie Cohen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC, to discuss practical ways speech-language pathologists can partner with families throughout the therapy process. Together, they explore strategies for including caregivers in sessions, coaching them to use responsive feeding techniques at home, and building confidence that extends beyond the therapy room.

Whether you're new to responsive feeding or looking to strengthen your family-centered approach, this conversation offers practical guidance for creating meaningful caregiver partnerships that support lasting progress during everyday mealtimes.

About the Guest: Stephanie Cohen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC, is a speech-language pathologist and a certified lactation counselor in private practice who has worked with children with complex medical needs and their families for more than 20 years. Stephanie has advanced training in pediatric feeding and specializes in working with the 0–3 population. She is passionate about helping families of children with feeding challenges find ways to make mealtimes more successful and enjoyable. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science degree from Northwestern University. She maintains a private practice in Illinois and is a credentialed evaluator and provider in the Illinois Early Intervention program. Stephanie regularly presents on a variety of topics, including typical and atypical feeding development, responsive feeding, and trauma-informed feeding assessment and treatment. Her work can be found through The Get Permission Institute, Chicago Feeding Group, TalkTools, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Stephanie enjoys mentoring and has been invited to lecture at Northwestern University. She is the author of the My First Learn-to-Talk board book series (Sourcebooks). Most importantly, Stephanie is a mom of three who lives in Illinois with her family.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn, Instagram, Function First

Contact Stephanie Cohen: LinkedIn, Instagram, Learn To Talk with Me

Get Permission Institute

Chicago Feeding Group

Follow the child’s cues for more meaningful feeding therapy.

Guest: Karen Dilfer, OTR/L

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In this episode of the Making Sense podcast, host Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Karen Dilfer, OTR/L, to discuss child-centered feeding therapy and how it aligns with the principles of responsive feeding therapy. Together, they explore the importance of honoring a child's autonomy and share practical ways to implement child-led approaches during feeding therapy sessions.

Whether you're new to responsive feeding therapy or looking to strengthen your current approach, this episode offers practical strategies for balancing therapeutic goals with respect for each child's cues, preferences, and participation, supporting more positive and meaningful feeding experiences.

About the Guest: Karen Dilfer MS, OTR/L is an occupational therapist, feeding specialist, and food enthusiast. She is trained in the Get Permission Approach to pediatric feeding and is privileged to spend the majority of her time as a clinician, working with children and families. Karen is the director of the feeding program at Amy Zier + Associates, a private pediatric therapy clinic in Chicago. She participates in research activities at the University of Chicago where she works in the department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Karen is a co-founder and board member of The Chicago Feeding Group, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families of children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and advancing continuing education for professionals serving this population. Recognized as a leader in the field, Karen is a sought-after educator and regularly presents for advanced practice platforms, including the Early Intervention training program in Illinois, Sooner Start in Oklahoma, and national professional organizations such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn, Instagram, Function First

Contact Karen Dilfer: LinkedIn

Pediatric feeding disorder in early intervention: Expanding access, improving outcomes, and prioritizing responsive feeding

Responsive Feeding Therapy: Values and Practice

Chicago Feeding Group

Get Permission Institute

Discover how felt safety can open the door to appetite, curiosity, and connection at mealtimes.

Guest: Katja Rowell, MD

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In this episode of Making Sense of Responsive Feeding Therapy, host Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Katja Rowell, MD, to explore why felt safety is the foundation of responsive feeding therapy. Together, they discuss how creating a sense of felt safety during feeding sessions and at home supports children with pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders by fostering appetite, regulation, and curiosity about food.

Throughout the episode, Madi and Dr. Rowell examine the relationship between felt safety and responsive feeding, explaining how a supportive environment can reduce stress around mealtimes while encouraging intrinsic motivation and engagement. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how felt safety influences feeding outcomes and leave with practical insights for creating more effective, child-centered feeding experiences.

About the Guest: Katja Rowell is a family doctor, author, and founder of The Feeding Doctor. She is one of the authors of the Responsive Feeding Therapy White Paper. Her mission is to help children grow up to feel good about food and their bodies. She has special interests in avoidant eating and supporting adopted and fostered children. Her books include Helping Your Child When Mealtimes are Hard, Helping Your Child with Extreme Picky Eating, and Love Me, Feed Me, for fostering and adopting parents. She is a webinar contributor at Responsivefeedingpro.com.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn, Instagram, Function First

Dr. Katja Rowell - The Feeding Doctor

Self-Determination Theory as a Theoretical Framework for a Responsive Approach to Child Feeding

Responsive feeding is embedded in a theoretical framework of responsive parenting

Relationships between sensory sensitivity, anxiety and selective eating in children

Impact of a Responsive Feeding Intervention on Children and Caregivers: A Nonrandomized, Repeated-Measures Study

'Finish your soup': counterproductive effects of pressuring children to eat on intake and affect

The'picky eater': The toddler or preschooler who does not eat

Modern Attachment Theory: The Central Role of Affect Regulation in Development and Treatment

Role reversal method for treatment of food refusal associated with infantile feeding disorders

*** Originally aired: 10/25/2024 ***

Guest: Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

In this episode, Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, discusses how anxiety can impact children’s food inventory and desire to eat. She also discusses the importance of parent coaching when services might not be appropriate and the use of a responsive feeding framework.

About the Guest: Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor specializing in feeding across the lifespan—from newborns to adolescents—as well as pediatric motor speech disorders. With over 20 years of clinical experience, she empowers caregivers with the confidence and competence to be their child’s best feeding and communication partner. In 2005, Jenny developed the STEPS feeding program at the UT Dallas Callier Center to support and promote feeding development in preschool-aged children. She provides training for graduate students, therapists, teachers, and parents both nationally and internationally. Jenny has been inducted into the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Hall of Fame for her contributions to the field. She also volunteers with Feeding Matters and has been an active TSHA volunteer for many years. She lives in Dallas with her husband, three children, and their rescue dog, Baxter. In her free time, she enjoys reading, organizing, spending time with friends, and cheering on her kids at games.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Jenny McGlothlin: LinkedIn

*** Originally aired: 10/24/2024 ***

Guest: Laura Hellfeld, RN, MSN, PHN, CNL

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

In this episode, Laura Hellfeld, RN, MSN, PHN, CNL, and Sleep Practitioner, shares her experience as a neurodivergent individual with selective eating tendencies. She discusses her experience with feeding therapy, the importance of access to the same foods, and the importance of neurodiversity-affirming feeding therapy. To wrap up the episode, Laura shares tips for working with parents of selective eaters.

About the Guest: Laura Hellfeld, RN, MSN, PHN, CNL, is a multiply neurodivergent healthcare professional specializing in sleep and self-care support for neurodivergent individuals. As an independent nurse and sleep consultant, Laura focuses on essential areas such as food and eating, sleep, hygiene, and toileting. They are a co-founder and Associate Editor of Autistic Revolution, an online magazine dedicated to neurodivergent voices, where they also coordinate community events. Laura is also the co-author of Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People and is passionate about education, advocacy, and creating inclusive environments for neurodivergent communities.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Laura Hellfeld: LinkedIn

*** Originally aired: 8/7/2024 ***

Guest: Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd, FAOTA

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Marsha Dunn Klein is the guest featured on this Making Sense of Selective Eating episode. Listen in as she shares the importance of meeting a child where they are at by considering all factors that can shape an individual’s eating experience, including sensory differences, past experiences, trauma, and relationships. Marsha also shares the importance of intrinsic motivation and her journey of redefining the “try it” concept and rethinking what exposure and desensitization mean to her over the course of her career.

About the Guest: Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd, FAOTA, is a pediatric occupational therapist who has spent nearly five decades specializing in feeding infants and young children. She received her bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University’s Sargent College and her Master of Education from the University of Arizona. She has co-authored Pre-Feeding Skills, First and Second Editions, Homemade Blended Formula Handbook, and Mealtime Participation Guide with Suzanne Evans Morris, as well as Feeding and Nutrition for the Child with Special Needs with Tracy Delaney. Her most recent book, Anxious Eaters, Anxious Mealtimes: Practical and Compassionate Strategies for Mealtime Peace, was published last year. Having sold her share in her pediatric feeding clinic, Mealtime Connections, Marsha now spends her time presenting, writing, and consulting both nationally and internationally—though since the pandemic, this work has been done virtually via webinars. She founded and remains active in a nonprofit that supports families of children who struggle to eat. Marsha is a food celebrator. When not feeding children or supporting their families, she enjoys gardening, quilting, cooking, and dreaming of traveling again.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Marsha Dunn Klein: LinkedIn