First Bite: A Speech Therapy Podcast

Fed, Fun, Functional Resources for the Pediatric Speech Pathologist

About the show

Join Speech-Language Pathologist: Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC for First Bite - Fed, Fun and Functional Resources for the Pediatric SLP. If you're a SLP who has more questions than answers when it comes to treating your medically complex/fragile pediatric patients, this podcast is for you! Michelle offers her own unique insights and interviews colleagues that are experts in their respective fields with the goal of inspiring and illuminating all aspects of diagnosing and treating this unique population. Each episode of First Bite is worth .1 ASHA CEU for speech therapy after completing the accompanying podcourse through SpeechTherapyPD.com.

First Bite: A Speech Therapy Podcast on social media

Episodes

  • 64: Ideas & Inspirations to Motivate Your Kids to Practice - Char Boshart, MA, CCC-SLP

    September 9th, 2019  |  1 hr 8 mins
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Char Boshart, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode Michelle is joined by the charming Southern Lady that is Char Boshart, MA CCC-SLP…THE SLP behind the dynamic “Speech Link” PodCourse, also sponsored by Speechtherapypd.com! Have you felt “stuck” lately trying to get your little one’s family motivated to implement Speech Therapy homework… aka The sometimes dreaded Home Exercise Program? Welp…me too friend! But I have great news! Char is here to help give us functional strategies to establish motivation and “buy-in” from our little’s ones care givers and loved ones…so watch out HEP…we are about to get-it-done!

  • 63: Grace in Grief: 7 Stages, PPD, PTSD, and how they impact a ST Session - Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP

    September 5th, 2019  |  1 hr 16 mins
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Co-Host: Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP - In this podcourse, the presenters tackle an often taboo topic, Grief. Too often we “feel” when a patient’s family is having an “off day”, but what happens when those “off days” become the norm? Grief, Postpartum Depression and Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, these are all too commonly overlooked diagnoses that the parents and guardians of the special babies we work with, have to deal with on a daily basis. Are you prepared to recognize these s/s? Have you advocated and conveyed your concerns about the parent/guardians mental and emotional health to their physician? Do you feel confident in sharing these concerns? Are you aware of how these factors can impact the implementation of a home exercise plan for ST? Let real life experiences, tearful and comical, with functional and practical resources, build your confidence so that you can support the loved ones and caregivers of our little ones.

  • 62: The Power of Waiting - Krystal Vermillion, MOT, OTR/L

    August 29th, 2019  |  1 hr 6 mins
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Krystal Vermillion, MOT, OTR/L - In this episode Michelle is joined by her dear friend Krystal Vermillion, MOT,OTR/L, from The Shriner’s Hospital Greenville, SC. This episode is near and dear to Michelle’s heart as Krystal’s guidance on utilization of therapeutic cues not only shaped the frequency and types of cues that Michelle has used with her patients, but also with her own personal tiny humans. In short, sometimes the auditory bombardment and latency period that SLP’s, (and tired Mommas), use in general are too much and too short…but never fear, Krystal is here to offer functional evidenced based tips on how to “read” our pediatric patients and offer just the right amount! Enjoy this power hour on therapeutic cues between dear friends who are equal parts nerd girl and avid outdoorsy folks!

  • 61: “Speechie Side Up” Presents AAC - Venita Litvack, MA, CCC-SLP

    August 21st, 2019  |  1 hr 4 mins
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Venita Litvack, MA, CCC-SLP - Michelle is joined by the hostess with Venita Litvack, of “The Speechie Side Up” Podcast and SLP Blog. Today they cover all “thangs” AAC. Ever struggled to find credible resources for learning more about theory and history of best practices behind pediatric AAC, or how to implement AA with a complex pediatric patient, or… and here is the kicker…getting the daycare teachers or the ECSE on board with using the device within their classrooms? Venita is here to take those frustrations and worries away! Enjoy the nerdy-gal conversation between two podcasters who love their field and particularly AAC!

  • 60: OTs and Feeding? Who knew!?! - Elizabeth “Beth” Halpin, MHS, OTR/L, SCFES

    August 14th, 2019  |  1 hr 6 mins
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Elizabeth “Beth” Halpin, MHS, OTR/L, SCFES - Michelle is joined by the one and only Elizabeth “Beth” Halpin, MHS, OTR/L, SCFES, aka Feeding Therapy, OT guru extraordinaire! Yep, we own it, Beth rocks!! This is the hour that your questions pertaining to the Scope of Practice for Occupational Therapists engaged in Feeding Therapy are FINALLY answered! Beth offers functional hands-on, (no pun intended), resources for the EBP of “messy” and “sensory play”, as well as general EBP guidelines for how to incorporate OT skills into your feeding sessions. Enjoy this fascinating feeding hour that will leave you wanting more!!

  • 59: So About That IDDSI! - Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP

    August 7th, 2019  |  58 mins 55 secs
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Co-Host: Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP - In this episode Michelle is joined once again by Erin Forward, MSP CCC-SLP, and they take on the beast of the change between the National Dysphagia Diet and the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative. It is time! Erin and Michelle spend this fast paced hour updating and taste testing foods and drinks according to the new IDDSI guidelines! They will share their favorite IDDSI transition resources, as well as help to explain the differences in food and drink between NDD and IDDSI for all consistencies. Bring your private practice and personal practices in line with current best practice with this lively lecture! Also, be sure to check out the First Bite Insta and FB accounts for the videos of all the taste testing!

  • 58: Early Childhood and AAC… with SpeechandLanguage Songs - Stephen Kneece, MA, CCC-SLP

    July 31st, 2019  |  1 hr 5 mins
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Stephen Kneece, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode Michelle is joined by Mr. Stephen Kneece, MA CCC-SLP, the charming southern gentlemen who is the mastermind, voice, and musician behind the YouTube Channel “Speech & Language Songs”. Stephen, who serves as the Assistive Technology Consultant for Aiken County School District during the day, joins Michelle to share his passion for all “thangs” AAC. Core Vocab, Fringe, the struggles of choosing an AAC device, and evidenced based options if Speech Generating isn’t the way to go at this moment, are all covered in this dynamic power-hour!

  • 57: Therapeutic Handling for the Critical Core - Paul Tardy, OTR/L

    July 24th, 2019  |  1 hr 12 secs
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Paul Tardy, OTR/L - In this episode Michelle is joined by her mentor, colleague, and “Brother by a Different Mother”, Paul Tardy, OTR/L, of “PT the OT Therapy and Wellness”. Have you ever seen an OT palm a child like a basketball, or bounce them in varying directions on a ball like a wobble head, or seen the kiddo crawling across the floor and observe and OT roll a therapy ball…crash boom bang…right into them and subtlety, or maybe not so subtlety wonder “What in the world are they doing to that kid?!?”. Well, wonder no more! This episode is all about Therapeutic Handling! Paul takes time to explain in detail why handling a pediatric patient in a certain way can reignite, or maybe ignite for the first time, neural connections that encourage the development of a strong core, proper physical alignment, encourage sensory regulation, all of which set a child up for success with life…and for PO intake! Come prepared for the passionate powerhouse that is Paul Tardy OTR/L!

  • 56: Essential Elements for Pediatric Audiology Evaluations - Jason Wigand, MA, AuD, CCC-A

    July 17th, 2019  |  55 mins 35 secs
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Jason Wigand, MA, AuD, CCC-A - In this episode Michelle is joined by the delightful Jason Wigand, AuD., CCC-A, and they pick up where they left off in Episode 38, “The Spectacular Power of Listening”! As they put the cart before the horse and covered interventions last go-around, this episode is dedicated to best practices for audiology evaluations: the different types of hearing tests/assessments available, when various ones are clinically indicated, as well as when it is appropriate to seek out for an evaluation. Fast paced nerdy laughter is guaranteed in this hour of all thangs hearing assessments!

  • 55: The Problem with Productivity - Erin Forward, MSP, CF-SLP

    July 10th, 2019  |  1 hr 12 mins
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Co-Host: Erin Forward, MSP, CF-SLP - In this episode Michelle is joined once again by the energetic Erin Forward, MS CF-SLP. Today is the day they take on that problematic word…”Productivity”! Fear not Friends! Not only will they define productivity, as well as it’s sister words caseload and workload, but they will discuss how productivity guidelines vary across settings, states, and offer some functional solutions to tackle productivity pressures that you may encounter in your Monday-Friday routine. Hopefully after this power-hour you will feel refreshed and energized to address any concerns head-on!

  • 54: Ethics and Early Intervention with Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland

    July 1st, 2019  |  57 mins 9 secs
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland - In this Special Sunday Night episode, Michelle is joined by a fellow Palmetto State Lady, the one and only Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland, ASHA’s Immediate Past President.

  • 53: Outstanding Orientation to OT Scope of Practice - Paul Tardy, OTR/L

    June 26th, 2019  |  1 hr 1 min
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Paul Tardy, OTR/L - Michelle sits down with longtime friend and professional mentor Paul Tardy to discuss the scope of OT practice and how that impacts an EI speech therapist and how to best work together to achieve maximum results for our kiddos.

  • 52: Sage Sierra Therapy Tips for Starting a Private Practice - Shawna Ross, MS, CCC-SLP

    June 19th, 2019  |  56 mins 39 secs
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Shawna Ross, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode Michelle is joined by the one and only Shawna Ross of the Sierra Therapy Group from the far-far-far away land of Reno, NV! Together these two ASHA LDP Cohort grads tackle the fears and tribulations of what goes on behind the scenes prior to opening the doors of a private practice. Listen in as the wise and utterly delightful Shawna shares her passion that drove her to become not only a dynamic clinician, but also successful private practice owner that regularly gives back to her community through hearing screens, summer camps, and Buddy Walks!

  • 51: Elusive IPP for the EI Clinician - Erin Forward, MSP, CF-SLP

    June 12th, 2019  |  1 hr 6 mins
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Co-Host: Erin Forward, MSP, CF-SLP - Michelle and Erin discuss the struggles therapists may have with feelings of aloneness and how steps to avoiding these feelings will benefit not only you but your patients as well.

  • 50: Cortical Vision Impairments and AAC - Carol Page, PhD, CCC-SLP, ATP, CBIS

    June 5th, 2019  |  1 hr 10 mins
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Carol Page, PhD, CCC-SLP, ATP, CBIS - Michelle and Carol discuss strategies and methods for implementing and using AAC to help our students excel.

  • 49: Raising Red Flags for Dyslexia - Susan Lee, MA, CCC-SLP

    May 29th, 2019  |  1 hr 2 mins
    asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

    Guest: Susan Lee, MA, CCC-SLP - Michelle takes a leap out of her comfort zone to discuss dyslexia and early warning signs that may be present in youngsters and why identifying those signs early can be vital!