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

Guest: Kelsey Thompson, PhD, CCC-SLP

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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:

• Early Feeding Transitions and Down Syndrome: How to Support Caregivers
• Infant Reflexes for Feeding and Development

Show Notes:

• Contact Kelsey on LinkedIn
• Feeding Flock
• Find Resources: FindHelp.org
• Love Money: Support Feeding Matters

Resources:

• Complementary Feeding Methods-A Review of the Benefits and Risks
• The Baby-Led Weaning Method (BLW) in the Context of Complementary Feeding: A Review
• Baby-led weaning: A thematic analysis of comments made by parents using online parenting forums
• Early feeding practices and eating behaviour in preschool children: The CORALS cohort
• Impact of a Modified Version of Baby-Led Weaning on Infant Food and Nutrient Intakes: The BLISS Randomized Controlled Trial
• How different are baby-led weaning and conventional complementary feeding? A cross-sectional study of infants aged 6-8 months
• Current Evidence on Nutrient Intakes and Infant Growth: A Narrative Review of Baby-Led Weaning vs. Conventional Weaning

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

Guest: Kary Mirasola, MS, CCC-SLP

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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

Gain practical strategies to gather meaningful information during bilingual evaluations.

Guest: Damaris Sánchez Rivera, MS, CCC-SLP

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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:

• IG: @speechloveandplaymusic
• LinkedIn

Listen to SLPs en Acción:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Youtube

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

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

Guest: Claire Reilly, RD, PhD Candidate

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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

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

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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

Connect the dots between AAC caregiver coaching and adult learning.

Guest: Daj Mitchell, MS, CCC-SLP

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Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Daj Mitchell for a joyful discussion on powerful AAC caregiver coaching. Together, they explore Malcolm Knowles’ Principles of Adult Learning and how these concepts can help SLPs better support caregivers throughout the AAC journey. Daj breaks down the four levels of caregiver readiness for AAC implementation and shares practical strategies for meeting families where they are. Gain ideas for tailoring AAC coaching conversations, strengthening caregiver engagement, and creating more meaningful opportunities for communication success across everyday routines.

About the Guest: Daj Mitchell, MS CCC-SLP, graduated from Governors State University with her Bachelor's in Speech-Language Pathology and a minor in Psychology. She received her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Illinois State University and holds a variety of certifications and awards, including, but not limited to, certification as a Lingraphica Technology Specialist, Level I and Level II Sensory certified, and a recipient of two successive ASHA ACE awards.

Show Notes:

• Contact Daj on Instagram: @yourslpdaj
• Listen to Daj's Podcast: Co-Treat Corner: Collaboration Tips for Therapists
• Love Money: Support Spero Stuttering

Explore the ripple effect of early speech and language skills on literacy development.

Guest: Margo Kinzer Courter, MBA, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL

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In this episode of First Bite, Michelle is tickled pink to host Margo Kinzer Courter, MBA, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, to explore child-led intervention and how letting little ones take the lead can transform speech and language outcomes in early intervention and preschool settings. Margo shares her go-to resources to help bridge speaking, listening, reading, and writing in ways that feel natural and effective in your sessions. This conversation is full of practical ideas to help you support early communication and literacy while keeping therapy engaging, responsive, and meaningful.

About the Guest: Margo Kinzer Courter, MBA, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-CL, began her speech-language pathology career in inpatient pediatric rehabilitation. From there, she moved to an outpatient clinic specializing in language-based learning disabilities. Her medical and educational background in language and language disorders has provided the foundation for her 30-year career as a speech-language pathologist.

Show Notes:

• Big Kid School: EI to Preschool Course
• Margo’s Website: Courter Communications (Therapy Materials)
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech Videos
• Extensions to the Speech Disorders Classification System (Shriberg et al., 2010)
• Developmental Texture Framework
• Marquette Neurodevelopmental Feeding And Swallowing Lab
• I-EaT Swallowing Research Lab
• Love Money: Support Butler University SLHS Fund

Musical speech therapy techniques for the non-musical SLP.

Guest: Corinne Zmoos, MS, CCC-SLP

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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