The Authentic SLP

In this episode, Nicole sits down with Bayside Therapy Specialists’ clinical director, Courtney, for a candid conversation about growth — as clinicians, as leaders, and as a team committed to doing things differently.

Courtney shares her full-circle journey from SLPA to clinical director, what drew her back to Bayside after grad school, and why continuous learning has become such a core part of her identity as a therapist. Together, Nicole and Courtney unpack the evolution of Bayside’s clinical approach: from traditional speech-language therapy to integrating oral–facial myofunctional therapy, oral motor work, feeding therapy foundations, and a deeper understanding of the root causes behind communication challenges.

They discuss:

• How oral–facial myofunctional therapy bridges common gaps in articulation and feeding
• Why structure, airway, and oral habits matter more than most parents realize
• Red flags families should look for when progress has stalled
• The importance of ruling out underlying factors — not just treating symptoms
• The value of community collaboration with ENTs, dentists, nutritionists, ABA teams, and functional medicine
• Bayside’s unique eight-week AAC program and how early access to robust communication tools transforms outcomes
• The intentional shift toward staying small, specialized, and collaborative rather than becoming a high-volume clinic

Courtney also reflects on team culture, leadership mindset, and how Bayside protects therapist well-being by prioritizing purpose, progress, and emotionally intelligent practice. She shares her advice for new therapists, the importance of saying “yes” to learning opportunities, and why compassion + willingness to learn is the real formula for clinical excellence.

Finally, Nicole and Courtney talk about parent guidance — everything from celebrating small wins, creating consistent routines, eliminating pacifiers and thumb sucking when possible, and understanding the impact of screen time and overstimulation on attention and emotional regulation.

This episode is a thoughtful, honest look at what pediatric therapy can be when a clinic chooses depth over volume, collaboration over ego, and genuine care over quick fixes. If you’re a parent, SLP, or student seeking a grounded, holistic perspective on child development and clinical growth, this conversation is a must-listen.

Are you a tired, anxious parent trying to figure out feeding, reflux, breastfeeding, or “gut stuff” with your baby… while the medical system tells you to just wait and see? 🍼😩

In this episode of The Authentic SLP, Nicole sits down with Jamie Perez, MS, CCC-SLP, pediatric feeding therapist, lactation counselor, and owner of Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy. Jamie shares her journey from wedding planner to NICU/hospital-based SLP, and how seeing fragile, overwhelmed moms in the hospital led her to start a private practice that truly honors families’ choices.

Together we talk about:

• The huge disconnect between hospital life and real life for medically complex babies
• Why so many moms feel judged or pressured into black-and-white, fear-based recommendations
• Breastfeeding vs. bottles, elimination diets, and why “just stop breastfeeding” isn’t always the answer
• The impact of social media, anxiety, and information overload on new moms
• How dietitians, OTs, PTs, chiropractors, craniosacral therapists, GI, and SLPs can actually work as a team
• Why finding your village and your providers BEFORE baby arrives is one of the best things you can do
• The difference between “just more referrals” and truly collaborative care for kids with feeding challenges

⏱️ Episode Chapters

00:00 – Intro & welcome to The Authentic SLP
00:10 – Jamie’s journey: wedding planner ➜ pediatric SLP ➜ Thriving Joy
02:21 – How NICU & hospital work shaped her philosophy on feeding therapy
05:20 – Nicole shares her own anxious mom/hospital story
05:57 – Social media, fear-based messaging & overwhelmed moms
07:54 – The breastfeeding story that “broke” Jamie in the hospital
09:32 – Working with dietitians & moving beyond “eliminate everything” advice
11:12 – Insurance, Medicaid & practicing in (or outside of) the system
13:31 – Building a collaborative team: PT, OT, chiropractors, GI, dentists, craniosacral, etc.
18:08 – Why provider background and training matter (not all credentials = same care)
23:25 – Who Jamie serves, her niche, and what she refers out
26:27 – Feeding disorders, ARFID & why mental health support is crucial
31:48 – The 10-minute phone call that caught EOE (and why referrals matter)
35:13 – What makes Thriving Joy different & the reality of complex medical kids
38:24 – “They’ll grow out of it” vs. early infant support & gut health
39:32 – The gut, anxiety, and long-term development
43:43 – What Jamie is most proud of as a mom & business owner
44:14 – Jamie’s top 3 pieces of advice for new/expectant parents
52:31 – How to find Jamie & Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy

🔎 Connect with Jamie / Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy
📍 Thriving Joy Pediatric Therapy, Lactation, Feeding & Speech
👶 Serving: Birth–elementary school (feeding, lactation, speech) in Lutz, FL & surrounding Pasco / North Hillsborough
🌐 Website: https://www.thrivingjoy.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivingjoytherapy

Christy DelCamp, PA-C, shares how her NICU-to-mom journey led her to functional pediatrics—covering gut health, picky eating, anxiety, sleep and airway, the first 1,000 days, and simple changes parents can make right now.

Topic: Practical, evidence-informed ways families can address root causes behind common pediatric issues—eczema, reflux, picky eating, anxiety, sleep/airway concerns, and frequent illness—without abandoning conventional medicine.

What You’ll Learn
• How Christy went from ER work to founding ThriveWell Functional Pediatrics
• What “root cause” really means—and why treating why matters alongside what
• The “inflammatory cup” model and why symptoms look different for each child
• Gut–brain connection: anxiety, ADHD/autism, picky eating, and sugar
• Sleep quality vs. quantity—mouth breathing, airway, palate, and myofunctional therapy
• Three wins parents can start today: more whole foods, less than 25g sugar, better sleep
• The first 1,000 days: microbiome foundations from conception to age two
• When medication is still needed—and how gut support can reduce side effects

Resources & Links
🌐 thrivewellfunctionalpediatrics.com
📸 Instagram: @thrivewell_functional_peds
📞 Free Discovery Call available on her website

Rapid Recap / Key Takeaways
• Start small: whole foods, less sugar, prioritize good sleep.
• Gut testing can uncover hidden causes behind skin, mood, and behavior issues.
• Airway matters—mouth breathing, crowded teeth, or daytime fatigue are red flags.
• Functional + conventional = better function, fewer side effects.
• Early life (conception–age 2) is the foundation for lifelong wellness.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome & why this conversation matters
00:26 Christy’s story: ER PA to functional pediatrics
01:28 “He’ll grow out of it”—trusting mom intuition
02:45 First tests: gut panel + allergy insights
03:35 Respecting conventional care while listening to families
04:52 What is functional medicine?
06:12 Gaps in traditional care: time & testing limits
07:14 Why gut testing should be routine
07:58 Picky eating, ADHD/autism, and the food loop
08:55 The “inflammatory cup” explained
10:21 Processed foods & zinc deficiency
11:22 Inflammation showing up as anxiety, OCD, PANS/PANDAS
13:19 Gut–brain link and mood
14:54 When meds are still needed
18:18 Autism: focusing on function
19:26 The functional toolkit: testing & nutrition
20:50 Healing eczema from the inside out
21:33 Three parent wins now
23:15 Why sugar feeds “bad guys”
25:03 Sleep quality ≠ quantity
26:41 Palate expansion & myofunctional therapy
28:16 Drooling & oral microbiome
31:10 Diet and oral health
31:20 How to work with Christy
32:43 The first 1,000 days explained
35:42 Infant reflux & early clues
37:32 Pregnancy probiotic tip
38:49 Gut health and immune strength
40:11 Collaboration wins for families

Former special-education teacher and Certified Lactation Counselor Meredith J. joins Nicole to simplify IEPs and 504s, compare public, charter, and private school options, and share down-to-earth breastfeeding guidance—without the pressure. This episode helps parents know what to ask, when to advocate, and how to trust their intuition.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & who Meredith is (teacher → UAE → FL, mom, CLC, realtor)

02:51 – Why this episode: support for ages 0–5 and early school years

03:56 – The main challenge in public schools: time & resources

04:49 – IEP vs. 504 explained in plain language

05:32 – Writing vs. implementing plans—why teachers feel stretched

06:24 – Inclusion vs. self-contained classrooms

07:18 – How peer models impact behavior

10:18 – Presuming competence: CP/AAC example

11:20 – IEP promises vs. daily reality

11:37 – Charter schools: basics, lotteries, smaller ratios

13:44 – Who funds charters & why “private” ≠ automatically better

14:29 – Transportation tradeoffs for families

15:07 – Florida’s Unique Abilities Scholarship & private-school cautions

15:59 – Checking teacher credentials (“out-of-field” list)

16:53 – Ask the right questions about curriculum & supports

17:52 – Key question: “How will you implement my child’s IEP?”

18:31 – Service Plans: speech/OT in private settings

18:42 – Early Steps (0–3) and FDLRS/Child Find (3–K)

20:23 – Natural environment services & transitioning after age 3

21:08 – New parent overwhelm & trusting your gut

21:51 – Meredith’s journey to becoming a lactation counselor

24:29 – Tongue/lip ties & different feeding experiences

25:06 – CLC vs. IBCLC credentials

26:55 – Advocacy mindset: taking charge of your child’s care

27:43 – Polite persistence with doctors or therapists

28:54 – Breastfeeding without guilt—bottles are okay

30:13 – Why pediatricians and IBCLCs should work together

31:06 – Build your team early; insurance often covers visits

32:26 – Hospital lactation care: ask for fit and comfort

32:58 – Support networks that actually help

33:41 – Take what helps from well-meaning family advice

34:16 – Three key tips: delete milestone apps, follow your baby, start early

36:18 – Evaluations ≠ automatic therapy—get tailored advice

37:11 – The truth about waitlists & being politely persistent

38:54 – IEP advocates and county resources that make a difference

41:20 – You’re not “mean”—you’re advocating for your child

41:34 – How to reach Meredith & wrap-up

Key Takeaways

Ask this: “How will you implement my child’s IEP, and what data will you show me?”

Compare class size, credentials, and supports before choosing a school.

Start early: Early Steps (0–3); FDLRS/Child Find (3–K).

Bottles are fine—line up lactation support before birth.

Call waitlists weekly and use an IEP advocate if needed.

Resources Mentioned

Early Steps • FDLRS / Child Find • Service Plans for private schools • IBCLC vs. CLC overview • School Tour Checklist

Connect

Guest – Meredith J. | [email protected]

Host – Nicole Yates / The Authentic SLP | @theauthenticslp | Skool Community

Disclaimer:

This episode shares personal experiences and general information, not medical, legal, or educational advice. Always confirm with your providers and local district policies.

In this heart-felt, practical conversation, Nicole Yates sits down with Giselle Madera-Rodriguez—SLP/educator, EI specialist, teletherapy pro, and founder of Growth in Connections. We cover how to build authentic parent partnerships, what truly makes teletherapy work, why parent coaching is the secret sauce, and actionable steps for toddlers (2–3) with emerging speech/behavior concerns—especially in bilingual homes.

• How Giselle went from preschool TA to EI/teletherapy specialist
• Parent coaching that actually sticks (and how to get buy-in)
• Making teletherapy work in real homes (structure + flexibility)
• Three go-to tips for late talkers & big behaviors (screen time, EI evals, follow-through)
• Bilingual kids: evaluation must-knows & why two languages are a superpower
• Scholarships & access (e.g., Step Up Unique Abilities in FL)
• Coaching therapists to connect without judgment

0:00 Intro & welcome
0:16 Giselle’s path: TA → Comm Disorders → Early Childhood Ed
3:05 Early Intervention & supervised speech in NY
3:57 Moving to FL, SLPA realities & finding the right clinic
5:37 Teletherapy during COVID: structure, flexibility, and connection
8:16 Parent coaching > flashcards: explaining the why
10:18 Compassion in practice (ADHD parenting story)
12:47 First steps for a 2-year-old with big behaviors
13:48 Why virtual EI can work even better (parents as hands)
15:47 The truth about progress: parent buy-in is everything
20:27 Expectations, grace, and still running a business
24:44 Access: Step Up scholarships & funding options
26:40 Growing Connections—Giselle’s new parent/therapist coaching brand
30:08 Three core tips: reduce pre-session screens, pursue EI, insist on bilingual evals & follow-up
34:06 Raising bilingual kids: speak both languages (and how to count vocabulary)
39:50 Don’t gatekeep: resources, community, and how to reach Giselle

Giselle Madera-Rodriguez is an educator, bilingual EI specialist, and coach dedicated to Growth in Connections—between therapists, parents, and children—so families feel confident and kids thrive.

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Growthinconnections.com (search “Giselle Growing Connections” if you don’t see it)

• Facbook/IG/TikTok: @theauthenticslp
• Newsletter, resources & consults: The Authentic SLP

• Early Intervention (Part C) — start with your state’s EI portal
• Step Up for Students (FL) – Search Unique Abilities Scholarship
• Bilingual evaluations: request testing in both languages if your child is dual-language

If this helped, please like, subscribe, and share with a parent or therapist who needs it. 🧡

#AuthenticSLP #SpeechTherapy #EarlyIntervention #ParentCoaching #Teletherapy #Bilingual #SLP #Autism #ADHD #LanguageDevelopment

In this inspiring episode, Nicole Yates, MS CCC-SLP, sits down with Jessica Bird, founder of Tweet Like a Bird Speech Therapy, to talk about building a private practice, balancing motherhood, and creating meaningful connections with families.

Jessica shares her journey from discovering her calling as a speech-language pathologist at age 11 on Kodiak Island, Alaska, to building a thriving business that lets her serve children and be present for her own.

You’ll love her honest advice for parents, her practical insights on feeding therapy, and her fun, authentic energy that reminds us all why we love this profession.

00:00 – Welcome + Introductions
00:17 – Jessica’s Story: From Alaska to Speech Pathology
01:41 – Why She Started Tweet Like a Bird
02:39 – Balancing Motherhood and Private Practice
03:22 – Bringing Joy and Connection into Therapy
05:32 – Jessica’s Favorite Populations to Work With
06:46 – Prompt Training + Certification Journey
07:39 – Oral Motor and PROMPT in Practice
08:50 – Feeding Therapy and the SOS Approach
10:32 – Setting Expectations with Families
11:38 – The Importance of Follow-Through at Home
12:31 – Areas of Expertise + Courses She Loves
13:27 – Myofunctional vs. Myofascial Therapy
15:13 – Literacy, Fluency, and Other Areas
16:57 – Why Jessica Stays Available to Parents
18:56 – Real-Life Stories from Feeding Therapy
19:19 – Helping Parents After a Diagnosis
20:45 – Setting Realistic Expectations in Therapy
22:22 – When It’s Not the Right Time for Therapy
23:27 – Ethical Practice and Progress Transparency
24:40 – What Every Parent Should Know
25:30 – Patience and Perspective for Parents
28:07 – Jessica’s Top 3 Tips for Parents
32:01 – The Power of Narrating Everyday Moments
34:53 – How to Find Jessica + Tweet Like a Bird
36:09 – Website + Contact Info
37:11 – Closing Thoughts

🌐 tweetlikeabird.com
📘 Facebook: Tweet Like a Bird Speech Therapy
📍 Serving Trinity, FL + surrounding areas

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of The Authentic SLP, host Nicole Yates, MS CCC-SLP sits down with Dr. Joleen Fernald, a nationally recognized speech-language pathologist and DIRFloortime® training leader whose journey from aspiring Broadway performer to pioneering therapist reshaped the way she—and thousands of others—see children.

Dr. Fernald shares how her daughter’s selective mutism led her to merge speech-language pathology with early-childhood mental-health training, earning a PhD focused on the mind-body-connection that underlies communication. Together, she and Nicole explore:

• What DIR Floortime® really means—and why “regulate, engage, communicate” should come before drills or data sheets.
• How selective mutism and autism overlap, and why anxiety and emotional regulation are central to both.
• The philosophy behind her Reconnections Education Center, where learning begins with safety, trust, and relationship.
• How parents can use intuition, self-regulation, and the right professional fit to support neurodivergent children.
• The “six F words we can say” when kids’ amygdalas go into fight, flight, freeze, fawn, flood, or fatigue.

This episode offers wisdom for professionals and parents alike—reminding us that every child’s progress begins with connection, curiosity, and compassion.

Resources:
🔹 Learn more about Dr. Fernald’s work and the Reconnections Education Center at joleenfernald.com
🔹 Follow Nicole Yates and The Authentic SLP for upcoming episodes on neurodiversity-affirming care and parent-empowered therapy

00:00 – Intro — Nicole welcomes Dr. Joleen Fernald and sets the stage for her incredible 30-year journey in speech-language pathology.
01:00 – From Broadway to SLP — How Joleen’s dream of performing turned into a lifelong passion for helping children communicate.
03:40 – Discovering DIRFloortime® — What “regulate, engage, communicate” really means and how this model changes outcomes for anxious and neurodivergent kids.
06:40 – Building the Reconnections Education Center — Why she founded a school centered on emotional regulation and relationship-based learning.
10:40 – Public vs. Private Education — The key differences between traditional classrooms and individualized, therapeutic learning environments.
13:40 – Anxiety, Behavior & the Brain — Understanding the six “F words we can say”: fight, flight, freeze, fawn, flood, and fatigue.
19:30 – Parent Reflection — Joleen’s honest advice to her younger self: give grace, regulate yourself first, and be present.
23:30 – Selective Mutism & Autism — What the latest research shows about overlap and the power of early intervention.
28:00 – Finding the Right Therapist — How to trust your intuition, choose specialized providers, and know when to refer out.
35:20 – Who Dr. Fernald Serves — The children best supported through her school and private practice, and what’s next with her new DIR-based center.
38:45 – Closing & Resources — How to connect with Dr. Joleen Fernald and continue learning.

In this episode of The Authentic SLP Podcast, host Nicole Yates, MS CCC/SLP, sits down with Kristina Madden, MS CCC/SLP, CLC, founder of Madden Therapy Solutions. With over 18 years as a speech-language pathologist and 10 years as a certified lactation counselor, Kristina shares her professional journey from hospitals to private practice, highlighting the heart, challenges, and evolution of feeding therapy.

This conversation is a must-listen for:

• SLPs seeking deeper insight into feeding therapy and private practice.
• SLP students exploring career pathways and the role of emotional intelligence.
• Parents navigating feeding concerns or child development questions.

• Hospital vs. Private Practice: Insights on medical cases, emotional demands, and why she created her own practice.
• Building Madden Therapy Solutions: The passion and vision behind her services.
• Feeding Therapy Evolution: Myths, milestones, and what families should know.
• Emotional Intelligence: The foundation of connecting with families and guiding therapy.
• Parent Guidance: Why trusting your instincts matters — and how to find the right professional support.

As your host, my goal is to spotlight experts like Kristina and share resources that truly help families. Through The Authentic SLP, I also support parents in finding the right providers for their child’s needs — from speech and feeding therapy to broader developmental care. My role is to guide families toward clarity and connection with trusted professionals like Kristina.

• Feeding therapy has changed — individualized care makes all the difference.
• Parents’ instincts are valid and deserve respect.
• Emotional intelligence is key for both therapists and families.
• Private practice offers freedom to serve families in more personalized ways.

• 00:00 — Introduction to Kristina Madden
• 05:58 — Hospital vs. Private Practice
• 11:55 — Starting Madden Therapy Solutions
• 17:48 — Emotional Intelligence in Therapy
• 23:56 — Services & Specialties
• 27:46 — The Evolution of Feeding Therapy
• 32:54 — Customizing Therapy for Families
• 37:37 — Parental Intuition & Professional Advice
• 44:34 — Key Advice for Parents
• 51:31 — Resources & Support

In this episode of The Authentic SLP, Nicole unpacks one of the most overlooked roots of feeding, speech, and sleep challenges: oral-facial function. She explains how tongue/lip/“buccal” ties, low tongue posture, mouth breathing, enlarged adenoids/tonsils, pacifiers/thumb-sucking past 12 months, and true oral-motor weakness can shape a child’s palate, airway, behavior, and articulation over time.
From NICU latches to kindergarten lisps, Nicole shares what’s evidence-informed, what’s overdone, and when a release isn’t the fix—highlighting practical first steps like ENT evaluation (including adenoid x-rays and sleep studies), early oral-motor work (e.g., Beckman), and when myofunctional therapy makes sense.
If you’re a parent wondering whether to “wait and see,” or an SLP deciding where to invest in training, this episode offers a plain-spoken roadmap to protect airway, feeding, and speech—without overcomplicating the plan.

You’ll learn:

• How low tongue posture and mouth breathing impact palate growth, sleep, and attention
• When ties are truly ties—and why surrounding tissue tension can mimic them
• Why early oral-motor work (Beckman) can prevent long-term braces/sleep issues
• When to loop in ENT, dentists/orthodontists, or myofunctional therapists
• Red flags that mean it’s time to evaluate (not panic)

Need a quick gut-check on next steps? Book a consult via the link in Nicole’s bio to get matched with the right local provider for your child.

In this second episode of The Authentic SLP, Nicole dives into one of the most common concerns parents bring to her clinic: toddlers who aren’t talking by age two. She shares the most frequent reasons behind delayed speech—from ENT issues like fluid in the ears and enlarged adenoids, to autism spectrum differences, bilingual language learning, attention challenges, and more.

Nicole speaks candidly about her own experiences as both a clinician and a parent, emphasizing the importance of early evaluation without alarmism. She encourages parents to trust their gut, seek clarity, and remember that “different” doesn’t mean “wrong.”

Whether you’re a parent noticing red flags, or a fellow SLP looking for insights on how to guide families, this episode offers a grounded, authentic look at what may be happening when children aren’t yet finding their words—and where to start in getting them the right support.