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First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

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

Latest Episodes:

Training Pediatric SLPs for Community Impact with Paula Pineda Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to prepare pediatric SLPs in serving diverse communities?

Guest: Paula V. Pineda, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this episode of the First Bite podcast, host Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, is joined by Paula V. Pineda, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, bilingual speech-language pathologist, Chief Clinical Supervisor at Teachers College, Columbia University, and President of the ASHA Hispanic Caucus, for a thoughtful conversation about preparing pediatric SLPs to serve culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

About the Guest: Paula V. Pineda, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, is a bilingual (English/Spanish) Speech-Language Pathologist with over 14 years of experience. Originally from Colombia, Paula has lived in New York City since 2001. She earned her Master’s degree from Adelphi University in 2011 and completed her clinical doctorate at Northwestern University in 2023.

Show Notes:

Contact Paula: www.tc.columbia.edu
Family Guided Routines Based Intervention: fgrbi.com
Sign up for ASHFoundation's 7th Annual Virtual Walk/Run
Join the team "First Bite Fun Runners"

Love Money:

Support the Hispanic Caucus: www.hispaniccaucusasha.org
Support your local immigration association: www.findhelp.org

Language, Literacy, and the Path to Reading Success with Heather Ramsdell Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

What role do SLPs play with literacy development?

Guest: Heather L. Ramsdell, PhD, CCC-SLP, CALT, QIT

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 Heather L. Ramsdell, PhD, CCC-SLP, CALT, QIT, for a passionate, research-backed discussion that positions speech-language pathologists as central to literacy development. Heather reframes dyslexia and reading challenges as reflections of underlying language and developmental profiles, explains how early oral language skills lay the foundation for reading, and discusses key early indicators of risk and the diverse developmental pathways that contribute to reading difficulties.

About the Guest: Heather L. Ramsdell, PhD CCC-SLP, CALT, QI in Training, University of Memphis, 2009, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Idaho State University, owner/clinician at Once Upon a Time LLC, and mother of two children with dyslexia. Her teaching, research, and clinical areas of expertise/interest include infant vocal development, phonetics, phonology, multisensory structured language intervention, spelling, structured word inquiry, literacy, and dyslexia.

Show Notes:

Read with Ramsdell: www.readwithramsdell.com
Contact Heather: www.isu.edu/slp/about/faculty
Publications: https://pubs.asha.org/authored-by/Ramsdell/Heather+L
Sign up for the ASHFoundation 7th Annual Virtual Walk/Run
Join the First Bite Team: "First Bite Fun Runners"
Love Money: Support Children's Dyslexia Centers

Celebrating ASHFoundation: 80 Years of Advancing Clinical Practice Aug 09, 2026

Show notes

Learn how the ASHFoundation is stepping up amidst research funding cuts.

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this special live episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Sharon E. Moss, PhD, CCC-SLP, CAE, Executive Director of the ASHFoundation, along with past funding recipients Katherine M. Trice, BA, and Ryan McCreery, PhD, to celebrate the ASHFoundation's 80th anniversary.

If you've been watching the news and wondering how research funding cuts might impact our field, take a breath. The ASHFoundation is stepping up. Together, they discuss how innovative funding initiatives, including the Need-Based Emergency Funding Program, are supporting students, early-career investigators, and the future of communication sciences and disorders. Katherine and Ryan also share their personal experiences, highlighting the impact of Foundation support on their research and professional journeys.

About the Guests:

Dr. Ryan McCreery, PhD, is the Vice President of Research at Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. He also serves as a Senior Scientist and Director of the Audibility, Perception, and Cognition (APC) Lab.

Sharon E. Moss, PhD, CCC-SLP, CAE, became the executive director of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation in October 2022. Moss is responsible for the ASHFoundation’s leadership and management, fundraising, and mission-related program activities which include scholarship, research grant and special project initiatives.

Katherine M. Trice earned her BA in Linguistics from the University of Rochester and completed her PhD in Psychology from Northeastern University this July. She currently works as a postdoctoral associate in the Gabrieli Lab at MIT.

Show Notes:

www.ashfoundation.org
ASHFoundation on Instagram: @ashfoundationcsd
ASHFoundation on LinkedIn
Sign up for the ASHFoundation 7th Annual Virtual Walk/Run
Join the First Bite Team: "First Bite Fun Runners"

NICU to EI with the Hospital-to-Home Systems Change Team Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Learn how to support NICU graduates as they transition from the hospital to home.

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on Youtube

What happens when Michelle sits down with Tiffany Elliott, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT, IBCLC, NTMTC; Sara Circelli, MA, IMH-E, PMH-C; and Dr. Leslie Butterfield, PhD, PMH-C, from Hospital-to-Home Systems Change? You get a powerful hour dedicated to perinatal mental health, systems change, and supporting NICU graduates as they transition from the hospital to home. Together, they discuss how perinatal mental health, including postpartum anxiety, depression, and trauma, impacts caregiver engagement, readiness to learn, and the ability to support their newborns. They also highlight why supporting caregivers is essential to improving outcomes for infants and families.

About the Guests: Tiffany Elliott, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT, IBCLC, NTMTC, is a Speech Language Pathologist and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. She brings her deep clinical experience in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders, preterm and medically complex infants, and healthcare systems in the work she does as a clinician, educator and systems change advocate.

Sara Circelli, MA, IMH-E, PMH-C, is the Hospital-to-Home Systems Change Manager at Northwest Center, where she also served as an Early Intervention Family Resources Coordinator for nearly a decade. She helped develop Northwest Center’s Hospital-to-Home team to address the “service cliff” families face after NICU discharge, ensuring a supported transition home.

Leslie Butterfield, PhD, PMH-C, is a perinatal psychologist specializing in the transition to parenthood, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), perinatal loss, recovery from traumatic birth, NICU parenting, and parenting medically fragile infants. She is past Chairwoman of Perinatal Support Washington and the past President of PATTCh (Prevention and Treatment of Traumatic Childbirth).

Show Notes:

hospitaltohomesystemschange.org

pediatricfeedingconnections.com

Love Money: Support National Perinatal Association

Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

What is the ASLP Interstate Compact and what does it mean for SLPs?

Guest: Susan Adams, Esq., CAE, Director of State Legislative & Regulatory Affairs at ASHA

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 Susan Adams, Esq., CAE, for a timely discussion about the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC) and what it means for speech-language pathologists. Together, they break down how the ASLP Compact works, who is eligible to participate, what privileges it provides, and where implementation currently stands across the United States. If you've been wondering how the compact could affect your clinical practice, this episode will help you understand the opportunities, limitations, and what to watch for next.

About the Guest: Susan Adams is the Director for State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at ASHA. She is responsible for advancing the public policy objectives of ASHA by serving as team lead and policy expert on state legislation and regulations affecting audiologists and speech-language pathologists, related to state licensure, including the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, and diversity, equity, and inclusion issues that affect the ability to practice.

Show Notes:

Debunking Baby-Led Weaning | Kelsey Thompson Jul 21, 2026

Show notes

Understanding the research, benefits, and limitations of Baby-Led Weaning.

Guest: Kelsey Thompson, PhD, 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, and Kelsey Thompson, PhD, CCC-SLP, dig into baby-led weaning (BLW). Whether you're new to BLW or looking to refine your clinical perspective, Michelle and Kelsey break down what BLW is, what it isn't, and how to support families and their little ones with confidence.

About the Guest: Kelsey Thompson, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist, research scientist, and mom of two. Her clinical and research work centers on supporting families during the introduction of solid foods, with the goal of preventing long-term pediatric feeding disorders and empowering caregivers to feel confident in their feeding journey.

Related Courses:

Show Notes:

Resources:

The Intersection of Mental Health and Adolescent Language with Kary Mirasola Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

How do mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression influence language and communication?

Guest: Kary Mirasola, 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, is joined by Kary Mirasola, MS, CCC-SLP, for a thoughtful discussion about the connection between adolescent language development and mental health. As mental health concerns continue to affect students across school and clinical settings, this conversation considers the role speech-language pathologists can play as part of an interprofessional team. Michelle and Kary also discuss how emotional well-being may affect assessment findings, goal development, and intervention planning, and offer strategies to help SLPs better understand and support the whole student.

About the Guest: Kary Mirasola, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of experience working in a pediatric hospital setting. Throughout her career, she has specialized in working with adolescents and has had the opportunity to work closely on interdisciplinary teams alongside psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, pediatricians, and advanced practice nurses, supporting school-age children and adolescents with complex communication, learning, and mental health needs.

Show Notes:

Contact Kary on her website: Woven Language + Learning

Love Money: National Alliance on Mental Illness

Enthusiastic Bilingual Evaluations en Acción with Damaris Sánchez Rivera Jul 07, 2026

Show notes

Gain practical strategies to gather meaningful information during bilingual evaluations.

Guest: Damaris Sánchez Rivera, MS, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on Youtube

Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Damaris Sánchez Rivera, MS, CCC-SLP, host of the Spanish-language podcast SLPs en Acción, for a thoughtful conversation about ethical, strengths-based evaluation and treatment approaches for bilingual children. Together, they explore how clinicians can approach bilingual assessments with confidence, cultural responsiveness, and joy while supporting children and families across a variety of settings.

About the Guest: Damaris Sanchez Rivera's, MS, CCC-SLP, clinical experience includes working in private practices, charter schools, and home settings. Damaris is currently the Outreach Program Director at a non-profit organization where she coordinates hearing, vision, and speech and language screenings for preschools and Head Start centers for more than 1,000 children every year.

Contact Damaris:

Listen to SLPs en Acción:

Show Notes:

Bilinguistics: The Ultimate Speech Language Parent Questionnaire Library
Related Course: “Understanding Medical Interpretation”
Find Resources: FindHelp.org
The Children’s Trust Miami
Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Bilingual Instructions
Dysphagia Outreach Project
Hablamigo: Bilingual resource for K-5 students
Love Money: The United Way

Burdens and Blessings of Feeding Tubes | Claire Reilly Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

An interprofessional conversation on supporting families through the emotional and practical realities of tube feeding.

Guest: Claire Reilly, RD, PhD Candidate

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on Youtube

Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, welcomes Claire Reilly, RD, PhD Candidate, to First Bite for a thoughtful conversation on the burdens and blessings of pediatric feeding tubes and the path toward tube weaning through an interprofessional lens. Claire shares insights from her latest research on caregiver burden, highlighting the stressors families often carry behind the scenes, including the daily frustrations of managing feeding equipment and routines. Walk away with practical insights, a deeper understanding of caregiver experiences, and a hopeful perspective on helping children move toward greater feeding independence.

About the Guest: Claire is a pediatric dietitian and clinical researcher with nearly two decades of clinical experience. Her work focuses on the care and management of children with feeding tubes, with a specific interest in mixed-methods research, consumer engagement, and priority setting. Currently completing her PhD, Claire has published in leading peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.

Show Notes:

Contact Claire on LinkedIn
PFD DAISI: Pediatric Feeding Disorder Dynamic Approach to Impacts and Social Integration
Feeding Matters: Power of Two Program
Love money: Support Feeding Matters
ASHA Advocacy: Take Action

Professional Collaboration and Shared Creation for School-based SLPs with Mary Mitchell Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever heard of the term “shared-creation” or wondered how it applies to effective collaboration for school-based SLPs?

Guest: Mary Mitchell, PhD, 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, is joined by Mary Mitchell, PhD, CCC-SLP to explore the many ways collaboration can look in practice and define what true shared-creation collaboration involves for the school-based SLP. Michelle and Mary discuss how the SLP’s role shifts across settings, why meaningful collaboration goes far beyond quick conversations or shared paperwork, and how intentional teamwork can help create stronger support systems for students. They share ideas for building authentic partnerships with classroom teachers, navigating common collaboration challenges, and using evidence-based resources to strengthen collaborative practice in schools.

About the Guest: Mary Mitchell, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Pacific University. Her clinical background is rooted in school-based services. Dr. Mitchell’s clinical and research interests include language and literacy assessment and intervention, dynamic assessment, professional learning, supervision, and interprofessional collaboration.

*Correction Note: Mary would like to acknowledge and correct her use of the terminology “houseless” and “transitioning” at the end of the episode. She recognizes that language which affirms every person’s humanity and dignity, such as “families experiencing unstable housing situations,” should have been used instead. She expresses gratitude for allowing the space to correct this mistake.*

Show Notes:

Contact Mary: mary.mitchell@pacificu.edu
Collaboration in Schools: Let's Define It (Mitchell et al., 2020)
Vocabulary Outcomes With Third Graders in a Teacher and Speech-Language Pathologist Collaboration (Mitchell et al., 2022)
Facilitating Language Development for Inner-City Children: Experimental Evaluation of a Collaborative, Classroom-Based Intervention (Hadley et al., 2000)
Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson
Shared Minds: The New Technologies of Collaboration by Michael Schrage
Books Are for Talking, Too! By Jane L. Gebers
Support the Community Transitional School
Support Holla School

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