The PFD DAISI: Dynamic Approach to Impacts and Social Integration
First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP InsightsShow Notes
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
More from First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights
A conversation examining the intersection of systems, bias, and clinical practice to promote equitable feeding experiences for all students. Guest: Lily Glasgo, PhD, OTR/L 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, sits down with Lily Glasgo, PhD, OTR/L, to explore how bias, policy, and politics have shaped the history of school meals and what that means for children today. Through the lens of institutional feeding systems, this conversation examines how school-based meal programs influence participation, access, and outcomes for students, particularly those with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD). Together, they discuss the role of school-based clinicians, including the balance between therapeutic intervention and maintaining safe feeding practices, and how interprofessional collaboration can support more inclusive, student-centered care. About the Guest: Lily M. Glasgo, PhD, OTR/L, (she/her) is an OT who is passionate about system level change to support kids with significant support needs. She gained clinical experience in outpatient and school based feeding before completing her PhD in Occupational Science from UNC Chapel Hill. Now, as an assistant professor at Pacific University, she teaches pediatrics and engages in a variety of research projects about pediatric feeding disorder. Show Notes: Contact Lily The Feeding Link Feeding Matters Directory National Education Association Virginia Department of Health - Maternal Mental Health
This episode offers practical guidance on building a feeding practice that is clinically sound, ethical, and sustainable. Guest: Jean Hawney, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD Watch on YouTube In this episode of First Bite, host Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Jean Hawney, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC, to break down some of the biggest barriers pediatric SLPs face when considering private practice, from mindset blocks and finding your niche to the logistical challenges of getting started. Michelle and Jean dig into what SLPs need to consider when building a feeding-focused practice, including scope of practice, advanced training, ethical decision-making, and the resources that can help guide the process. About the Guest: Jean Hawney, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLC is a pediatric speech-language pathologist and feeding specialist, and the founder of Little Eaters & Talkers, a multidisciplinary private practice based in Houston, Texas. Jean specializes in infant and pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, with a focus on medically complex infants, bottle aversion, early feeding development, and caregiver coaching. Show Notes: The American Association of People with Disabilities
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 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, 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
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 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, 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
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 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, 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