First Bite: A Speech Therapy Podcast

SPECIAL EPISODE: Teletherapy from EI to High School: Practical Applications and Resources (Panel Discussion From Teletherapy Bootcamp)

March 27th, 2020  |  2 hrs 6 mins

asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

Panelists: Michelle L. W. Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC; Andrea M.Szwabowski, M.H.S., CCC-SLP/L; Marisha Mets, MS, CCC-SLP; Carrie Clark, CCC-SLP; Jessi Andricks MS, CCC-SLP; Lauren Tandy, MS CCC-SLP

This panel of presenters discussed teletherapy, the essential and best practices for EI to High School related services.

Clinical Practicums Gone ‘Ka-Boom’ and How to Fix Them with Kari Comer

March 25th, 2020  |  1 hr 4 mins

asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

Presenters: Kari Comer, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode Michelle is joined again by Kari Comer, MS CCC-SLP, Clinical Supervisor, Adjunct Professor, and Outreach Coordinator at The George Washington University, and Current President of the D.C. Speech Language and Hearing Association. Kari, who was featured in Episode #75, “Clinical Supervision as told by the SLP President of DC”, is back to address the hard cases of Clinical Supervision… or in simpler terms what to do when it all goes “Ka-Blooey”! Kari will offer examples of some of the most common professionalism concerns regarding Clinical Supervisors, Student Clinicians, and then functional strategies for turning a wayward Clinical Practicum around into a positive learning experience.

Those Confounding Cranial Nerves! with Erin Forward

March 18th, 2020  |  1 hr 10 mins

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 by everyone’s favorite First Bite co-host, Erin Forward, MSP CCC-SLP, to address those confounding cranial nerves! On Old Olympus towering Tops A Finn And German Viewed Some Hops… well sure that quick mnemonic diddy helped you ace your anatomy test in grad school, but what did you really learn about the cranial nerves for speech and swallowing development? The Vagus, sure he wanders, but what about his implication in cardiac repair surger? The Trigeminal, sure he does sensation and motor innervation, but what about when the little one had a grade 4 bleed at week 32? Do you know what could be impacted? In this hour Michelle and Erin take on all 12 nerves and guarantee to toss in a funny bone too!

The Intersection of American Sign Language and Early Intervention with Jill Eversmann

March 4th, 2020  |  1 hr 5 mins

asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

Guest: Jill Eversmann, MS, CCC-SLP - In this episode Michelle is joined by the accomplished lecturer Jill Eversmann, MS CCC-SLP, Academic and Clinical Faculty of Columbia College, and X instructor w/ ASDF. In this hour they challenge all the preconceived notions about incorporating American Sign Language into Early Intervention….in short, they will teach you how “talking with your hands” is an excellent strategy to increase acquisition of functional communication, the differences between Baby Sign and American Sign Language, and the best resources and references behind the beautiful intersection that is ASL and EI. Be sure to stretch before this hour, because it will have you moving!

Clinical Indicators for NPO with Erin Forward

February 19th, 2020  |  1 hr 10 mins

asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

Co-Host: Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP - In this episode Michelle and Erin tackle when it is appropriate to say “NPO”. That’s right, sometimes it falls on us as the Feeding and Dysphagia experts to share with the rest of the Interprofessional Team that we have concerns for safety of PO intake. But, we need to be able recognize how the “Little One’s” Cardiac, Gastrointestinal, and Respiratory systems contribute or dictate that NPO status. Again, we need to be able to when the pleasure and quality of a feed are fading and our patients need advocacy and support. Baselines change often for our complex patients and this is the episode that differentiates the signs and symptoms of when we can say “NPO” and when we can joyously celebrate moving towards “PO” again.

National Black Association for Speech, Language and Hearing and You! with Kia Noelle Johnson

February 5th, 2020  |  1 hr 10 mins

asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

Guest: Kia Noelle Johnson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP - In recognition of Black History Month, Michelle interviews the amazing Kia Noelle Johnson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. Dr. Johnson, who serves on the ASHA Board of Directors as the National Advisor to the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, is also an 18-year member of the National Black Association for Speech, Language and Hearing where she currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors. She is also a proud alumna of the 2006 class of the ASHA Minority Student Leadership Program. This is a fast paced hour that covers a lot of ground: everything from the history of African Americans prevalence and growth within the world of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, how an SLP working in the world of Early Intervention needs to ethically assess and treat a child with a suspected language delay or impairment when a little one that we are working with has AAVE or resides with a family who speaks using a recognized dialect such as Gullah or Geechee, and how one could become involved in such groups as NBASLH and the Student Minority Leadership Program at ASHA. Enjoy the encouragement in how we can encourage diversity within our field at a local grassroots effort!

The More the Merrier: Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Co-Treatments with an OT, Psychologist, and an SLP with Rob Dempster and Elizabeth “Beth” Halpin

January 29th, 2020  |  1 hr 8 mins

asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

Guests: Rob Dempster, PhD and Elizabeth “Beth” Halpin, MHS, OTR/L, SCFES - In this episode Michelle is joined by Elizabeth (Beth) Halpin, MHS, OTR/L, SCFES, from episode #60 “Ots and Feeding? Who knew!?!” and Rob Dempster, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, from episode #71 Psyched about Psychology and Feeding!”. In this hour of “First Bite”, the dynamic duo opens up about their collaboration for a combined treatment approach for pediatric feeding and swallowing disordersThey share the good, the bad, the ugly: lesson’s learned about best practice for a team approach, etiologies that benefit the most from a team approach, as well as their favorite “do-overs”…as in, “welp if we had known this, then we would have done this”…and let’s be honest, the do-overs tend to be the best life lessons! Let this cheery episode warm you up this chilly winter day!

Top Ten Takeaways from ASHA 2019 with Erin Forward

January 22nd, 2020  |  1 hr 1 min

asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

Co-Host: Erin Forward, MSP, CCC-SLP - In this episode Michelle and Erin have fully recovered from the intensity that is the annual ASHA Convention from November 2019. Why is that great news? Easy! They are going to share their “Top 10 Takeaways” for adding functional evidence to your practice! They will take you on an EBP hunt in the exhibit hall, hit up Erin’s Top 3 Lectures, and wrap with Michelle’s Top 3 Lectures, and spread some joy that can be found by being surrounded by almost 14,000 colleagues. If you weren’t able to make to Orlando this past year, no worries, they are all set to bring the magic to you!

The Power of Prompting and Push-In for AAC with Stephen Kneece

January 15th, 2020  |  1 hr 8 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 once again by Stephen Kneece, MA, CCC-SLP, who serves as the President-Elect-Elect of SCSHA (South Carolina Speech-Language Hearing Association), the CEO/Founder of Speech and Language Songs, as well as a graduate of the ASHA LDP (Leadership Development Program). Today Stephen, who works as an Assistive Technology Consultant for his local school district, discusses the concept of “Prompting Hierarchy” and how to use it effectively with AAC, as well as pros and cons of utilizing a “Push-In” model for AAC in an Elementary School and in a Daycare for Early Intervention. The guru behind “Speech and Language Songs”, found on YouTube and Instagram, packs quite the perky punch in this episode… bonus points… he can really rock that guitar and solo vocals!

Adventures in Feeding with Melanie Potock

January 8th, 2020  |  1 hr 3 mins

asha, ceu, continuing education, slp, speech language pathology, speech pathology, speech therapy

Guest: Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP - In this episode Michelle is joined by the one and only Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, author of the critically acclaimed and widely successful books “Raising a Healthy Happy Eater: A Stage-by-Stage Guide to Setting Your Child on the Path to Adventurous Eating” (2015),“Baby Self-Feeding: Solutions for Introducing Purees and Solids to Create Lifelong Healthy Eating Habits (2016)”. And the popular food activity book, titled “Adventures in Veggieland: Help Your Kids Learn to Love Vegetables with 100 Easy Activities and Recipes (2018)”. Melanie serves up a scrumptious hour jammed pack with busting “Baby-Led Weaning” myths, elaborating on her “3 Easy E’s”, and highlighting some of her favorite family mealtime tips from other cultures and how they can encourage healthy eating habits for your little one…as well as infuse joy into a home!