SLP Learning Hour

Trauma-sensitive care and interprofessional collaboration to better support children and families.

Guest: Lauren Thompson, MEd, CCC-SLP, CLC, and Allissa Younan, MS, OTR/L

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In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Lauren Thompson, MEd, CCC-SLP, CLC, and Allissa Younan, MS, OTR/L, to discuss how combining clinical perspectives can strengthen care for children with feeding challenges, sensory differences, nervous system dysregulation, and other complex needs. They consider what may be behind a child’s apparent refusal, shifting the focus from a child who “won’t” participate to one who may not yet feel safe, regulated, or supported enough to engage.

About the Guests: Lauren Thompson, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, CLC, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor, and the owner of Well Fed Feeding & Swallowing Therapy in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Since 2012, she has supported infants and children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder, dysphagia, lactation challenges, ARFID, and feeding-related trauma across inpatient rehabilitation, hospital-based outpatient care, Level II and III NICUs, and public schools.

Allissa Younan, MS, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist, TBRI practitioner, and owner of Holistic Abilities where she is passionate about helping children and families thrive through evidence-informed, relationship-based care. She specializes in sensory processing, feeding, and supporting children to make gains in their everyday life.

Contact the Guests:

• Lauren Thompson on LinkedIn
• Lauren’s Website: www.wellfedfeedingtherapy.com
• Allissa Younan on LinkedIn

Show Notes:

• Feeding Matters
• Trauma-sensitive Definition
• Trust‑Based Relational Intervention
• Dr. Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain
• The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
• Pediatric Feeding Disorder Consensus Definition and Conceptual Framework
• AB-SSD 2026 Summer Webinar Series - Pediatric
• Empowering Providers Through Transforming Pediatric Feeding Journeys Courses:
• Trust-based relational intervention (TBRI): A systemic approach to complex developmental trauma
• Love Money Cause: www.feedingmatters.org

References:

• Hockey, R., Philpott-Robinson, K., Haracz, K., & Ray, K. (2025). Trauma-informed or sensory-based practices in preschool settings: A scoping review. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 72(3), e70027. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.70027
• Purvis, K. B., Cross, D. R., Dansereau, D. F., & Parris, S. R. (2013). Trust-based relational intervention (TBRI): A systemic approach to complex developmental trauma. Child & Youth Services, 34(4), 360–386. https://doi.org/10.1080/0145935X.2013.859906
• Smith, M. L. (2021). The connected therapist: Relating through the senses. Marti Smith Seminars.
• Williams, M. S., & Shellenberger, S. (1994). How does your engine run? TherapyWorks.

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

Learn from Margaryta’s "C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T." EI SLP framework to support functional, collaborative, and family-centered intervention.

Guest: Margaryta Kuzmin, MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BE

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In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Margaryta Kuzmin, MA, CCC-SLP, TSSLD-BE, a bilingual pediatric speech-language pathologist and early intervention provider, for a joyful and empowering discussion about the many hats SLPs wear in early intervention. From feeding and dysphagia to communication, caregiver coaching, and collaboration, this episode celebrates the meaningful, real-life work happening in homes and everyday routines. Michelle and Margaryta redefine what it means to be a “confident” EI SLP, reminding us that confidence is not about knowing everything. It is about trusting your foundation, staying curious, and showing up with intention.

About the Guest: Margaryta Kuzmin is a bilingual speech-language pathologist based in New York City with over 15 years of experience working with infants, toddlers, and school-age children with complex communication, feeding, and developmental needs. She specializes in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, AAC, and working with medically complex populations.

Show Notes:

Contact Margaryta:

• IG: @kuzminslp
• LinkedIn
• Website: kuzminslp.com
• Courses
• Free Online AAC Boards

Resources:

• American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders 2026 Summer Webinar Series
• Feeding Matters
• Family Guided Routies Based Intervention
• HealthyChildren.org
• IDDSI
• Go Team Go! Interprofessional Practice for Pediatric Feeding in the Schools
• Guide to Supporting Pediatric Feeding Disorders in Schools
• Pediatric Feeding Disorder and the School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist: An Evidence-BasedUpdate for Clinical Practice

Love Money: 1p36 Deletion Support & Awareness

Learn about common barriers and misconceptions surrounding language comprehension curricula, considerations for choosing and implementing a curriculum, and ways to collaborate with educators.

Guest: Hannah Hudson, MS, CCC-SLP

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In this episode of School of Speech, host Carolyn Dolby, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Hannah Hudson, MS, CCC-SLP, to discuss how language comprehension curricula can support elementary students with language and literacy difficulties and how SLPs can incorporate these tools into their current practice. As expectations for SLP involvement in literacy continue to grow, structured language comprehension curricula may offer a way to provide consistent support while managing the demands of a school-based caseload.

About the Guest: Hannah Hudson, MS, CCC-SLP, of the Communication Science and Disorders Department at Florida State University, is a PhD Student in Dr. Carla Wood’s lab. Hannah has a strong interest in language acquisition as it relates to literacy development and language acquisition/development as it relates to expressive language abilities. In addition, she is interested in language disorders, learning disabilities, and reading and language comprehension.

Show Notes:

Exploring Language Comprehension Article

Listening Comprehension Resource Center

Books used in the Let's Know! curriculum supplement

Language Dynamics Group - get CUBED

From language modeling to play, refresh the tools you use every day.

Guest: Emily Byers Chaney, MS, CCC-SLP

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Whether you’re new to gestalt language processing or could use a refresher, this episode of The Gestalt Get-Together brings the basics back into focus. Host Corinne Zmoos, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Emily Byers Chaney, MS, CCC-SLP, to talk through echolalia, language modeling, play-based intervention, and how GLP discourse has evolved.

Using real-world clinical examples, Corinne and Emily make these ideas easier to understand and apply. You’ll come away with practical ways to expand language, encourage reciprocal interactions, and more confidently support gestalt language processors in your everyday practice.

About the Guest: Emily Byers Chaney, M.S., CCC-SLP is a a pediatric speech-language pathologist and the founder of Boundless Speech and Language, a private practice in Los Angeles offering both in-person and teletherapy services across California. With eight years of experience, Emily is dedicated to providing neurodiversity-affirming, child-led care, helping families move toward relationship-centered and co-regulating models of care. She is passionate about empowering families through strengths-based approaches and regularly shares educational content for both parents and professionals focused on practical, evidence-informed ways to support neurodivergent children while honoring their individual communication styles, support needs, and strengths.

Show Notes:

Contact Corinne Zmoos: LinkedIn, Instagram, Linktree

Contact Erin Forward: Instagram

Communication Development Center

Natural Language Acquisition on the Autism Spectrum

Meaningful Speech

Constructing a Language: A Usage-Based Theory of Language Acquisition

The functions of immediate echolalia in autistic children.

Unpack the myths, realities, and clinical considerations surrounding pediatric concussions with an interprofessional team from The University of Tulsa's Concussion Center.

Guests: Laura Wilson, PhD, CCC-SLP, CBIST; Rachel Hildebrand, PhD, LAT/ATC, CBIS; and Jennifer Steward, PhD

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In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by an interprofessional team from The University of Tulsa's Concussion Center. Together, they explore common misconceptions about concussions, including how symptoms present differently across toddlers, children, and adolescents, and why recognizing these differences is critical for timely identification and care. The conversation also highlights important topics such as second impact syndrome, current best practices in concussion management, and the role of interprofessional collaboration in supporting recovery.

About the Guest(s): Laura Wilson, PhD, CCC-SLP, CBIST, is an Associate Professor in Communication Sciences & Disorders at The University of Tulsa. She is a Co-Director of the Concussion Center and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer. Her clinical and research interest is acquired brain injuries, with a specific focus on concussion.

Rachel Hildebrand, PhD, LAT/ATC, CBIS is a Clinical Associate Professor of Athletic Training at The University of Tulsa. She is the co-Director of the Concussion Center at The University of Tulsa. Her research has highly focused on interdisciplinary concussion management, specifically for those experiencing prolonged concussion recovery.

Jennifer Steward, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an Applied Associate Professor of Psychology at The University of Tulsa. She has been a member of the concussion team since the Concussion Center’s opening, and supervises advanced clinical psychology doctoral students in their work as part of the interdisciplinary team.

Show Notes:

• University of Tulsa Concussion Center
• Heads Up CDC
• HEADS UP to Schools: Online Concussion Training
• Pedsconcussion.com
• Concussioninsportgroup.com
• Love Money: Support The University of Tulsa

What does it really mean for a speech sound disorder to have an adverse educational impact?

Guest: Angie Neal, MS, CCC-SLP

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Together, they discuss the role of adverse educational impact in determining eligibility for school-based speech-language services, the differences between medical and educational service delivery models, and practical ways to collect and report data that supports compliant decision-making. They also examine how clear documentation can help IEP teams connect speech-language services to educational outcomes while supporting appropriate caseload and workload decisions.

About the Guest: Angie Neal is the SLP Contact and Policy Advisor for Speech-Language Services and Early Literacy at the SC State Department of Education, a board member with the State Education Agency Communication Disability Council, and a published author who presents on a wide variety of SLP topics across the United States.

Show Notes:

Speech-Language Pathology and IDEA by Angie Neal

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

Explore the realities of addressing dysphagia and pediatric feeding disorder in schools.

Guest: Mary Dooher, MA, CCC-SLP,

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In this episode of the First Bite podcast, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, sits down with Mary P. Dooher, MA, CCC-SLP, a passionate school-based clinician and advocate from Alaska, for a heartfelt and energizing conversation about supporting students with feeding and swallowing needs in the school setting. Drawing from her journey across medical and educational environments, Mary shares how her work in pediatric feeding and swallowing evolved into systems-level advocacy within her district, state, and national organizations.

About the Guest: Mary P. Dooher, M.A., CCC-SLP, has been a school-based SLP in Wasilla, Alaska, for 15 years. She has experience in public schools, hospitals, SNFs, and home health settings. Mary is a strong advocate within her school district and the State of Alaska to increase awareness of/needs of students with dysphagia. She is an active member of her local union, MSEA, and the state association, NEA-Alaska.

Show Notes:

Feeding Matters PFD in Schools

Go Team Go! Interprofessional Practice for Pediatric Feeding in the Schools

ASHA Voices: Engaging With Teacher Unions and Education Associations in Schools

Turn connection into communication with practical DIR Floortime® strategies for supporting GLPs.

Guest: Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP, CLC

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In this episode of The Gestalt Get-Together podcast, host Corinne Zmoos, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP, CLC, to discuss how the DIR Floortime® approach can enhance clinical practice with gestalt language processors (GLPs). Together, they examine how understanding individual differences through the Floortime model can strengthen communication, relationships, and language development.

Corinne and Erin explore functional emotional developmental capacities, circles of communication, and the role these concepts play in supporting children who use gestalt language processing. They also discuss how gestalt language processing can be understood as an individual difference within the DIR Floortime approach, offering practical insights to help SLPs foster meaningful interactions and support the growth of authentic communication.

About the Guest: Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP, CLC, is a speech-language pathologist, DIR/Floortime® Expert Provider, and founder of Nourishing Connection LLC. She is newly a full time Expert DIR/Floortime staff member for ICDL. She specializes in relationship-based, neurodiversity-affirming support for children and families with feeding and communication differences. Erin is an international speaker and host of the Rooted in Connection podcast, where she explores the power of relationships in healthcare, parenting, and everyday life. She believes that relationship based care is the core of what helps children and families thrive.

Show Notes:

Contact Corinne Zmoos: LinkedIn, Linktree

Contact Erin Forward: LinkedIn, Nourishing Connection

Zero To Three

Home of DIRFloortime - What is DIR

Home of DIRFloortime - Affect Diathesis Hypothesis

Home of DIRFloortime - Child Development

Music and Early Language Acquisition

Searching for Roots of Entrainment and Joint Action in Early Musical Interactions

Developmental Pathways for Kids - Ideation

Affect Autism

Rooted in Conntection Podcast - Erin Forward