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First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP

First Bite is your go-to resource for all things pediatric speech therapy–covering pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, lactation, AAC, early language acquisition, advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration. Designed to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice, the podcast brings functional, evidence-based insights straight to clinicians serving little ones and their caregivers. Whether you’re a student, seasoned practitioner, researcher, or interprofessional partner, First Bite invites you to listen, learn, and grow alongside a supportive community. Gain the confidence to take whatever “first bite” comes next in your clinical practice–one heartfelt and tea-fueled conversation at a time.

Hosted by Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP–bestselling author of "Chasing the Swallow: Truth, Science, and Hope for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Disorders," joyful boy mom, and early intervention specialist–First Bite explores the latest research, clinical strategies, and lived experiences shaping pediatric speech therapy today.

This is a Speech Therapy PD podcast, allowing you to earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for each episode. For select episodes, colleagues with their CLC can earn CERPs. Visit speechtherapypd.com to learn more.

See Michelle's book at: amazon.com/Chasing-Swallow-Pediatric-Swallowing-Disorders/dp/B095WW2H5X

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27 episodes
weekly
Avg 1 hr 12 min
English

Episodes 27

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#349
June 2 · 1 hr 23 min
Language and Music Create Magic with Corinne Zmoos
Musical speech therapy techniques for the non-musical SLP. Guest: Corinne Zmoos, MS, CCC-SLP Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on Youtube Take the FREE Pediatric Feeding Courses for ASHA CEUs (through June 30, 2026) Want to incorporate music into your speech therapy sessions but don't know where to start? Michelle and Corinne share easy-to-use resources to help non-musical SLPs confidently incorporate music into sessions, along with evidence-based tools for clinicians looking to deepen their knowledge of music-based language intervention. About the Guest: Corinne Zmoos, MS, CCC-SLP, is a musical speech-language pathologist based in Baltimore, Maryland, and the founder of *Messy Happy Music Lab*, a private practice specializing in neurodivergent language acquisition, musical language therapy, Gestalt Processing, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Show Notes: Please note the following correction: A4 (A above middle C) is 440Hz, not middle C as stated. Contact Corinne: IG: @crescendo.communication crescendocommunication.com Gestalt Get-Together podcast Love Money: Support Marian House in Baltimore Join the National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders Run the Virtual Dash For Dysphagia June 6-13, 2026 Dysphagia Research Society
#348
May 26 · 1 hr 4 min
The Power of Breastmilk with Dr. Richard Noel
Dive into the science behind the power of breastmilk and how it applies clinically. Guest: Dr. Richard Noel, MD, PhD Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on Youtube Michelle and Richard lean into the “nerdy details” behind early nutrition and why it matters so much for the infants we serve. Their conversation walks through clinical guidance on probiotics in the NICU, unpacks the emerging science of microRNA, and connects these concepts to real-world infant growth, gut health, and feeding outcomes. Michelle helps you translate the science into what it means at the bedside, in early intervention, and in caregiver conversations. If you’ve ever wanted a clearer, evidence-based understanding of why breastmilk exposure supports GI development and how to talk about it with families, this episode delivers. About the Guest: Dr. Richard Noel, MD, PhD, Division Chief for Pediatric GI at Baylor College of Medicine at CHRISTUS Children’s Hospital in San Antonio and volunteer Medical Director for Feeding Matters. Show Notes: Healthy Children’s Lactation Project IBCLC Gold Lactation Feeding Matters
#347
May 19 · 1 hr 7 min
Supporting Caregivers within the Medical Domain of PFD with Madi Metcalf
What does meaningful caregiver coaching look like in infant feeding therapy? Guest: Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on Youtube In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, welcomes back Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, to explore infant feeding through a Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) lens. Together, they discuss how medical factors can impact feeding even in the youngest patients, and the importance of early, caregiver-centered support. The conversation also highlights building caregiver confidence, creating realistic feeding goals, and supporting families through postpartum challenges. This conversation is rooted in hope, trust, and helping caregivers feel seen, supported, and confident throughout the feeding journey. About the Guest(s): Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, is an Arkansas-based speech-language pathologist with advanced training in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders and the owner of Function First Speech and Feeding Therapy, where she provides home, community, and clinic-based services. She is passionate about interdisciplinary care and caregiver collaboration to support safe, functional feeding. Show Notes: Contact Madi: @functionfirstslp on Instagram or on LinkedIn Attend the 2026 PEDIATRIC FEEDING SYMPOSIUM Beyond the Bite: Supporting the Whole Family in Pediatric Feeding Disorders Madi's Related Courses Effective Parent Coaching Course Family Guided Routines Based Intervention Helping Your Child with Extreme Picky Eating Book Britt Pados Related Course Routines-based Interview Checklist Bridging NICU to Home Course Feeding Matters
#346
May 12 · 1 hr 11 min
Infant Reflexes for Feeding and Development with Michelle Emanuel
Walk through sensory systems and key reflexes for infant feeding. Guest: Michelle Emanuel, OTR/L, IBCLC, NBCR, CST Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on Youtube Register for the FREE Empowering Providers PFD series Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, welcomes industry leader Michelle Emanuel, OTR/L, IBCLC, NBCR, CST, for a thoughtful and engaging conversation on infant reflexes and their role in early feeding development. Together, they explore how key reflexes contribute to early suck–swallow coordination, and how these patterns evolve as infants grow. Their conversation also highlights the role of interoception–the body’s internal sense that helps infants recognize hunger and fullness cues. They discuss torticollis and how neck muscle imbalance can impact positioning and latch, and close with a candid look at tethered oral tissues and their potential influence on feeding outcomes. About the Guest: Michelle Emanuel, OTR/L, IBCLC, NBCR, CST, has been a Pediatric Occupational Therapist for 30 years and specializes in working with newborns to pre-crawling infants. She is a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist and IBCLC, who is also certified in yoga and several forms of manual therapy. Michelle is passionate about infant neurodevelopment, feeding, the sensory nervous system, and social engagement. Show Notes: Contact Michelle Emanuel: @tonguetiebabies and @tummytimemethod on Instagram or on LinkedIn Hazelbaker Lactation Institute American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery: Clinical Consensus Statement: Ankyloglossia in Children Georgia Malandraki Publications Tummy Time Method Love Money: La Leche League
#345
May 5 · 1 hr 22 min
The PFD DAISI: Dynamic Approach to Impacts and Social Integration
This innovative tool is sure to support both your clinical heart and your practice as it grows. Guest: Meg Simione, PhD, CCC-SLP and Helen Cohen, BA, CLC Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on Youtube Register for the FREE Empowering Providers PFD series This episode of First Bite features Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, kicking off PFD and ARFID Awareness Month with Meg Simione, PhD, CCC-SLP, and her graduate student, Helen Cohen, BA, CLC, for an in-depth look at the PFD DAISI. Meg and Helen explain how the six DAISI factors, represented by the flower's petals, guide feeding assessment and treatment. They then dive into the four Social Spheres at the flower’s core, highlighting their influence on a child’s mealtime journey. They share practical tips for using the PFD DAISI in clinical practice, helping SLPs take a holistic, dynamic approach to pediatric feeding care. About the Guests: Meg Simione, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a clinician-scientist specializing in infant and child feeding, growth, and care delivery innovation. She serves as a research scientist in the Division of General Academic Pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a speech-language pathologist, and Instructor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. Helen Cohen, BA, CLC, is a graduate student at the MGH Institute of Health Professions, where she is pursuing a Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology with a concentration in Medical Speech Pathology. Alongside her academic work, she serves as a research assistant at the University of Rhode Island, conducting research on Pediatric Feeding Disorder, Family Centered Care, and Implementation Science. Show Notes: Contact Meg and Helen on LinkedIn Download the PFD DAISI Feeding Innovation Lab: @feedinginnovationlab on Instagram Dr Brown’s Bottles Dysphagia Outreach Project FindHelp.org The Feeding Flock Feeding Matters Love Money: Support URISSHLA
#344
April 28 · 1 hr 8 min
Strategies for Successful Supervision with Alice L. Williams
Approach supervision with greater clarity, intention, and sustainability. Guest: Alice L. Williams, BA, SLPA Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on Youtube Register for the FREE 5 part PFD Series, April 30-May 28 This course meets ASHA's Supervision PD requirement. In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, welcomes Alice L. Williams, BA, SLPA, creator of The SLPA Network, to explore the real challenges SLPs face when stepping into supervisory roles, including limited training and the constant pull between clinical responsibilities and mentorship. Alice breaks down how supervision requirements vary widely across states and settings, while highlighting the core principles that make supervision effective no matter where you practice. The discussion centers on "empowered supervision" as a way to build clinician confidence, strengthen professional identity, and support better outcomes for those we serve. About the Guests: Alice L. Williams, B.A., SLPA, is the creator of The SLPA Network and an experienced speech-language pathology assistant with over seven years in pediatric settings. Her work centers on professional identity, empowered supervision, and sustainable collaboration between SLPs and support personnel. Alice develops educational and leadership resources that support ethical practice, reduce burnout, and strengthen interdisciplinary teams across school-based, medical, and private-practice environments. Show Notes: Contact Alice: @speechwith_msalice and @the.slpa.network on Instagram SLPA Network Alice’s Course: Foundations of Effective Supervision Get 10% with the code: LEAD10 (Valid through 12/31/26) If Disney Ran Your Hospital: 9 1/2 Things You Would Do Differently by Fred Lee Love Money: Faith Christian Center Cross The Street Fund
#343
April 21 · 1 hr 10 min
Autism, GI, and Pediatric Feeding Disorder with Leena Sayed
Explore common GI challenges in autistic individuals, and how they impact feeding, behavior, and participation at mealtimes. Guest: Leena Sayed, MS, CCC-SLP Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on Youtube Register for the FREE PFD series, April 30-May 28 In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Leena Sayed, MS, CF-SLP to take a closer look at the connection between autism, gastrointestinal health, and feeding. Together, they discuss how often GI concerns occur, the signs pediatric feeding therapists should be watching for, and how these factors align within the medical domain of PFD. About the Guest: Leena Sayed, MS, CCC-SLP is a recent graduate in Speech-Language Pathology from James Madison University (JMU) in Virginia. She brings hands-on experience working with children with pediatric feeding disorders across university clinic, outpatient hospital, and private practice settings. Show Notes: Bowel Sounds: The Pediatric GI Podcast Love Money Cause: Palestine Children's Relief Fund