Guest: Stephanie Cohen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC

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Caregiver involvement is at the heart of successful responsive feeding therapy. In this episode of the Making Sense with Madi the SLP podcast, host Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Stephanie Cohen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC, to discuss practical ways speech-language pathologists can partner with families throughout the therapy process. Together, they explore strategies for including caregivers in sessions, coaching them to use responsive feeding techniques at home, and building confidence that extends beyond the therapy room.

Whether you're new to responsive feeding or looking to strengthen your family-centered approach, this conversation offers practical guidance for creating meaningful caregiver partnerships that support lasting progress during everyday mealtimes.

About the Guest: Stephanie Cohen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC, is a speech-language pathologist and a certified lactation counselor in private practice who has worked with children with complex medical needs and their families for more than 20 years. Stephanie has advanced training in pediatric feeding and specializes in working with the 0–3 population. She is passionate about helping families of children with feeding challenges find ways to make mealtimes more successful and enjoyable. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science degree from Northwestern University. She maintains a private practice in Illinois and is a credentialed evaluator and provider in the Illinois Early Intervention program. Stephanie regularly presents on a variety of topics, including typical and atypical feeding development, responsive feeding, and trauma-informed feeding assessment and treatment. Her work can be found through The Get Permission Institute, Chicago Feeding Group, TalkTools, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Stephanie enjoys mentoring and has been invited to lecture at Northwestern University. She is the author of the My First Learn-to-Talk board book series (Sourcebooks). Most importantly, Stephanie is a mom of three who lives in Illinois with her family.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn, Instagram, Function First

Contact Stephanie Cohen: LinkedIn, Instagram, Learn To Talk with Me

Get Permission Institute

Chicago Feeding Group

Guest: Karen Dilfer, OTR/L

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In this episode of the Making Sense podcast, host Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Karen Dilfer, OTR/L, to discuss child-centered feeding therapy and how it aligns with the principles of responsive feeding therapy. Together, they explore the importance of honoring a child's autonomy and share practical ways to implement child-led approaches during feeding therapy sessions.

Whether you're new to responsive feeding therapy or looking to strengthen your current approach, this episode offers practical strategies for balancing therapeutic goals with respect for each child's cues, preferences, and participation, supporting more positive and meaningful feeding experiences.

About the Guest: Karen Dilfer MS, OTR/L is an occupational therapist, feeding specialist, and food enthusiast. She is trained in the Get Permission Approach to pediatric feeding and is privileged to spend the majority of her time as a clinician, working with children and families. Karen is the director of the feeding program at Amy Zier + Associates, a private pediatric therapy clinic in Chicago. She participates in research activities at the University of Chicago where she works in the department of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Karen is a co-founder and board member of The Chicago Feeding Group, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families of children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and advancing continuing education for professionals serving this population. Recognized as a leader in the field, Karen is a sought-after educator and regularly presents for advanced practice platforms, including the Early Intervention training program in Illinois, Sooner Start in Oklahoma, and national professional organizations such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn, Instagram, Function First

Contact Karen Dilfer: LinkedIn

Pediatric feeding disorder in early intervention: Expanding access, improving outcomes, and prioritizing responsive feeding

Responsive Feeding Therapy: Values and Practice

Chicago Feeding Group

Get Permission Institute

Guest: Katja Rowell, MD

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Watch on YouTube

In this episode of Making Sense of Responsive Feeding Therapy, host Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP, is joined by Katja Rowell, MD, to explore why felt safety is the foundation of responsive feeding therapy. Together, they discuss how creating a sense of felt safety during feeding sessions and at home supports children with pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders by fostering appetite, regulation, and curiosity about food.

Throughout the episode, Madi and Dr. Rowell examine the relationship between felt safety and responsive feeding, explaining how a supportive environment can reduce stress around mealtimes while encouraging intrinsic motivation and engagement. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how felt safety influences feeding outcomes and leave with practical insights for creating more effective, child-centered feeding experiences.

About the Guest: Katja Rowell is a family doctor, author, and founder of The Feeding Doctor. She is one of the authors of the Responsive Feeding Therapy White Paper. Her mission is to help children grow up to feel good about food and their bodies. She has special interests in avoidant eating and supporting adopted and fostered children. Her books include Helping Your Child When Mealtimes are Hard, Helping Your Child with Extreme Picky Eating, and Love Me, Feed Me, for fostering and adopting parents. She is a webinar contributor at Responsivefeedingpro.com.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn, Instagram, Function First

Dr. Katja Rowell - The Feeding Doctor

Self-Determination Theory as a Theoretical Framework for a Responsive Approach to Child Feeding

Responsive feeding is embedded in a theoretical framework of responsive parenting

Relationships between sensory sensitivity, anxiety and selective eating in children

Impact of a Responsive Feeding Intervention on Children and Caregivers: A Nonrandomized, Repeated-Measures Study

'Finish your soup': counterproductive effects of pressuring children to eat on intake and affect

The'picky eater': The toddler or preschooler who does not eat

Modern Attachment Theory: The Central Role of Affect Regulation in Development and Treatment

Role reversal method for treatment of food refusal associated with infantile feeding disorders

Guest: Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC

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In this episode, Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, discusses how anxiety can impact children’s food inventory and desire to eat. She also discusses the importance of parent coaching when services might not be appropriate and the use of a responsive feeding framework.

About the Guest: Jenny McGlothlin, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor specializing in feeding across the lifespan—from newborns to adolescents—as well as pediatric motor speech disorders. With over 20 years of clinical experience, she empowers caregivers with the confidence and competence to be their child’s best feeding and communication partner. In 2005, Jenny developed the STEPS feeding program at the UT Dallas Callier Center to support and promote feeding development in preschool-aged children. She provides training for graduate students, therapists, teachers, and parents both nationally and internationally. Jenny has been inducted into the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Hall of Fame for her contributions to the field. She also volunteers with Feeding Matters and has been an active TSHA volunteer for many years. She lives in Dallas with her husband, three children, and their rescue dog, Baxter. In her free time, she enjoys reading, organizing, spending time with friends, and cheering on her kids at games.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Jenny McGlothlin: LinkedIn

Guest: Laura Hellfeld, RN, MSN, PHN, CNL

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

In this episode, Laura Hellfeld, RN, MSN, PHN, CNL, and Sleep Practitioner, shares her experience as a neurodivergent individual with selective eating tendencies. She discusses her experience with feeding therapy, the importance of access to the same foods, and the importance of neurodiversity-affirming feeding therapy. To wrap up the episode, Laura shares tips for working with parents of selective eaters.

About the Guest: Laura Hellfeld, RN, MSN, PHN, CNL, is a multiply neurodivergent healthcare professional specializing in sleep and self-care support for neurodivergent individuals. As an independent nurse and sleep consultant, Laura focuses on essential areas such as food and eating, sleep, hygiene, and toileting. They are a co-founder and Associate Editor of Autistic Revolution, an online magazine dedicated to neurodivergent voices, where they also coordinate community events. Laura is also the co-author of Creating Safe Spaces for Autistic People and is passionate about education, advocacy, and creating inclusive environments for neurodivergent communities.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Laura Hellfeld: LinkedIn

Guest: Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd, FAOTA

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Marsha Dunn Klein is the guest featured on this Making Sense of Selective Eating episode. Listen in as she shares the importance of meeting a child where they are at by considering all factors that can shape an individual’s eating experience, including sensory differences, past experiences, trauma, and relationships. Marsha also shares the importance of intrinsic motivation and her journey of redefining the “try it” concept and rethinking what exposure and desensitization mean to her over the course of her career.

About the Guest: Marsha Dunn Klein, OTR/L, MEd, FAOTA, is a pediatric occupational therapist who has spent nearly five decades specializing in feeding infants and young children. She received her bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University’s Sargent College and her Master of Education from the University of Arizona. She has co-authored Pre-Feeding Skills, First and Second Editions, Homemade Blended Formula Handbook, and Mealtime Participation Guide with Suzanne Evans Morris, as well as Feeding and Nutrition for the Child with Special Needs with Tracy Delaney. Her most recent book, Anxious Eaters, Anxious Mealtimes: Practical and Compassionate Strategies for Mealtime Peace, was published last year. Having sold her share in her pediatric feeding clinic, Mealtime Connections, Marsha now spends her time presenting, writing, and consulting both nationally and internationally—though since the pandemic, this work has been done virtually via webinars. She founded and remains active in a nonprofit that supports families of children who struggle to eat. Marsha is a food celebrator. When not feeding children or supporting their families, she enjoys gardening, quilting, cooking, and dreaming of traveling again.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Marsha Dunn Klein: LinkedIn

Guest: Diane Bahr, MS, CCC-SLP, CIMI

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In this Making Sense of Selective Eating episode, Diane Bahr, MS, CCC-SLP, CIMI, discusses the importance of feeding development in advancing diet textures and provides a brief overview of oral sensory-motor development and how it supports feeding/eating/drinking progress.

About the Guest: Diane Bahr, MS, CCC-SLP, CIMI, is a certified speech-language pathologist and infant massage instructor. She has practiced speech-language pathology since 1980 and has been a feeding therapist since 1983. Her experiences include teaching graduate, undergraduate, and continuing education courses; working with children and adults who exhibit a variety of speech, language, feeding, and swallowing disorders; and publishing/presenting information on oral sensory-motor function, assessment, and treatment. She is the author of the textbook Oral Motor Assessment and Treatment: Ages and Stages (Allyn & Bacon, 2001). She has also written a book for parents and professionals entitled Nobody Ever Told me (or my mother) That! Everything from Bottles and Breathing to Healthy Speech Development (Sensory World, 2010).

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Diane Bahr: LinkedIn

Guest: Dr. William Sharp

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Dr. William Sharp shares the role a psychologist takes on a feeding team and an overview of the psychosocial domain of PFD. He then discusses when an SLP should refer to a psychologist before discussing Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.

About the Guest: William Sharp, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. He serves as Director of the Multidisciplinary Feeding Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where he leads a collaborative team of psychologists, physicians, speech-language pathologists, and dietitians dedicated to evaluating and treating children with pediatric feeding disorder and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Dr. Sharp’s research focuses on the causes, consequences, and treatment of chronic food refusal in pediatric populations. His most recent work involves the development and evaluation of a training curriculum for therapists to deliver a manual-based intervention targeting food selectivity—characterized by extremely narrow dietary patterns—in children with ARFID. His clinical and academic contributions reflect a deep commitment to advancing evidence-based care and improving outcomes for children with complex feeding challenges.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Dr. William Sharp: LinkedIn

Guest: Dr. Praveen Goday

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Dr. Praveen Goday is the guest on this episode of Making Sense of Selective Eating to discuss the importance of the medical domain of PFDs. Listen in as Dr. Goday shares how gastrointestinal disorders can impact eating preferences, nutrition, and weight loss and when an SLP should be referred.

About the Guest: Praveen Goday, MD, is a pediatric gastroenterologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He is the Director of the Nutrition and Feeding Programs, which provide nutrition care throughout the hospital system and serve children with feeding problems. He is a clinical professor of pediatrics at The Ohio State University. Dr. Goday is a graduate of Madras Medical College in India. He is board-certified in pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition and is active at the national level in promoting pediatric nutrition. He currently serves on the Committee on Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics and on the board of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). He has been recognized by several societies for his work in pediatric nutrition and has received the Distinguished Nutrition Support Physician Service Award from ASPEN (2018), the Master Educator Award for sustained educational scholarship from the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) (2021), and Honorary Membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for distinguished contributions to the field of nutrition (2022). Dr. Goday’s research efforts aim to improve feeding, nutrition, and growth in children with diverse diseases. In 2019, he was the lead author of the paper that defined pediatric feeding disorder, which has helped unify this common but understudied condition. This was followed by a paper identifying its prevalence. He has also co-authored significant publications, including the original paper identifying key concepts of pediatric malnutrition and the guidelines for nutrition provision to critically ill children. In addition, he has edited two books: Pediatric Critical Care Nutrition and Pediatric Nutrition for Dietitians.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Dr. Praveen Goday: LinkedIn

Guest: Raquel Durban, MS, RD, LD/N

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

In this episode of Making Sense of Selective Eating, Raquel Durban, MS, RD, LD/N, is the featured guest who discusses the dietician's role on the PFD team. Raquel shares how the dietician works with SLPS and other team members, the importance of compassionate global care, and how nutritional deficiencies can impact selective eaters.

About the Guest: Raquel Durban, MS, RD, LD/N, is a registered dietitian specializing in the dietary management of families with food allergies. She received her MS degree in nutrition from the University of Maryland and completed her nutrition internship at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Raquel is a steering committee member of the International Network of Dietitians and Nutritionists in Allergy and serves on numerous medical advisory boards of nonprofit allergy-focused organizations. She also values her role in academia, contributing to continuing medical education programs and peer-reviewed publications. Raquel participates in the American College and American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI and AAAAI), where she serves on multiple committees, collaborating with healthcare professionals and patient advocacy groups to improve the quality of life and advance understanding for families living with food allergies. Every opportunity to counsel and educate is viewed with honor and empathy. Raquel develops practical plans and educational strategies to meet patients and clinics where they are in their journey. There is no one-size-fits-all answer for success—and success is not linear. She works to find the best balance between meeting nutritional needs and lifestyle demands, while ensuring collaboration with other members of the care team.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Raquel Durban: LinkedIn

Guest: Dr. Lily Gullion, MSOT, OTR/L

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Dr. Lily Gullion, MS, OTR/L, joins Making Sense of Selective Eating to discuss how pediatric feeding disorders can be addressed in schools and the importance of inclusive mealtimes. Listen in as she shares how mealtimes are included in the general education day, discusses the social aspects of school meal times, and gives ideas about managing PFDs in the school.

About the Guest: Dr. Lily Gullion, MSOT, OTR/L, is a licensed occupational therapist in the state of North Carolina and received her PhD in Occupational Science at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has a background as a pediatric occupational therapist working in outpatient settings and school feeding programs. She is also passionate about disability advocacy and actively involved with disability policy organizations. Lily received the 2023 North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association Award of Advocacy. She is affiliated with Feeding Matters and holds memberships with the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Lily Gullion: LinkedIn

Guest: Stephanie Cohen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

In this episode of Making Sense of Selective Eating, Stephanie Cohen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC, introduces the concept of selective eating and the importance of using a family-focused approach. She shares the importance of looking at a selective eater through the PFD framework to rule out possible medical, nutritional, feeding skill, or psychosocial factors contributing to a child’s selectivity. Stephanie wraps up this episode by sharing the importance of using a responsive feeding approach when working with children and families.

About the Guest: Stephanie Cohen, MA, CCC-SLP, CLC, is a speech-language pathologist and a certified lactation counselor in private practice who has worked with children with complex medical needs and their families for more than 20 years. Stephanie has advanced training in pediatric feeding and specializes in working with the 0–3 population. She is passionate about helping families of children with feeding challenges find ways to make mealtimes more successful and enjoyable. Stephanie has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Science degree from Northwestern University. She maintains a private practice in Illinois and is a credentialed evaluator and provider in the Illinois Early Intervention program. Stephanie regularly presents on a variety of topics, including typical and atypical feeding development, responsive feeding, and trauma-informed feeding assessment and treatment. Her work can be found through The Get Permission Institute, Chicago Feeding Group, TalkTools, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Stephanie enjoys mentoring and has been invited to lecture at Northwestern University. She is the author of the My First Learn-to-Talk board book series (Sourcebooks). Most importantly, Stephanie is a mom of three who lives in Illinois with her family.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Contant Stephanie Cohen: LinkedIn, Instagram, Youtube

Guest: Marileda Tomé, PhD, CCC-SLP

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This Making Sense of Myo episode features Dr. Marileda Cattelan Tome, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, who explains the importance of malocclusion on speech and swallowing functioning. She then dives into treatment planning for myofunctional disorders.

About the Guest: Marileda Tomé, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist, supervisor, and professor at the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She earned her Master’s degree from the Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil and completed her PhD at the University of São Paulo. For nineteen years, Dr. Tomé served as an Assistant Professor in the Speech Pathology and Audiology Department at Itajaí Valley University in Brazil. Alongside her academic career, she operated a private practice focused primarily on the evaluation and treatment of myofunctional disorders.

Show Notes:

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

'Making Sense of Myo: Introduction to Orofacial Myology'

Dr. Irene Marchesan on ResearchGate

Dr. Roberta Martinelli on ResearchGate

Esther Bianchini on ResearchGate

Andrea Motta on ResearchGate

Dr. Claudia de Felicio on ResearchGate

'MBGR protocol of orofacial myofunctional evaluation with scores'

Free CEU Tracker

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on X

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on LinkedIn

ASHA

Guest: Dr. Piya Gandhi, DDS

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This Making Sense of Myo episode features Piya Gandhi, DDS, a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist, who shares the impacts tethered oral tissues can have on oral functioning. Dr. Gandhi shares her “Function First” model for diagnosing tongue and lip ties and the process of frenectomies. Throughout the episode, Dr. Gandhi shares the importance of interdisciplinary care for frenectomies and how she collaborates with SLPs throughout the process.

About the Guest: Dr. Piya Gandhi, DDS, is a board-certified pediatric dentist specializing in functional pediatric dentistry. Her practice screens all patients for airway, sleep, speech, feeding, and growth and development disorders. She specializes in diagnosing and treating airway issues in infants and children, including tongue and lip ties. Dr. Gandhi’s passion for tethered oral tissues (TOTs) stems from her personal experience with her older daughter, Cyrah, and her goal is to help families avoid similar struggles. Dr. Gandhi has completed extensive post-residency training in airway development and the diagnosis and treatment of oral restrictions. She screens all her patients for potential issues that could impact growth, development, and healthy sleep. She believes in a comprehensive, team-based approach and follows the Function First Model. She has built a strong network of practitioners in the greater Houston area and within her own practice.

Show Notes:

Contact Dr. Piya Gandhi: Profile, LinkedIn

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Kotlow Classification of Tongue Ties

Coryllos Ankyloglossia Grading System

Zaghi Tongue Tie

ICPA

Free CEU Tracker

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on X

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on LinkedIn

ASHA

Guest: Melissa Vagts, MSP, CCC-SLP

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This episode explores how knowledge of orofacial myology allows speech pathologists to effectively use differential diagnosis to determine the best care plan for their patients. Melissa Vagts, MSP, CCC-SLP, explains when a myofunctional approach would not be appropriate and the qualifications a patient needs to effectively participate in a myofunctional program. Melissa wraps up this episode by sharing ways knowledge of typical oromyofunction can allow SLPs to modify treatment approaches to include myofunctional concepts to support speech and swallowing skills.

About the Guest: Melissa Vagts, MSP, CCC-SLP, is a certified speech-language pathologist and Associate Clinical Professor at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. She earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of South Carolina and brings 25 years of experience working with pediatric clients across outpatient clinics, public schools, and university settings. At Wichita State, Melissa teaches and supervises graduate students in the CSD MA-SLP program, with a focus on early intervention, speech sound disorders, pediatric feeding, and orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). In 2022, she developed and launched a graduate-level course on OMDs, which she teaches each summer. She also co-founded the Pediatric Feeding Group in 2019 to provide hands-on clinical training for SLP graduate students. Melissa is passionate about educating future clinicians and colleagues on the impact of OMDs on feeding and speech development. She has completed extensive continuing education in pediatric feeding, tethered oral tissues, and orofacial myofunctional therapy.

Show Notes:

Contact Melissa Vagts: Wichita State University Profile

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Wichita State University

Robyn Merkel-Walsh

Lori L. Overland

Hallie Bulkin

Tongue-Tied: Functional Assessment and Remediation of TOTs (Tethered Oral Tissues)

Amy Graham's Oral-Facial Exam

Autumn Reed Henning’s Protocol (TOTS Course)

Linda D'Onofrio

Making Sense of Myo: Introduction to Orofacial Myology with Linda D’Onofrio

Alabama Tongue-Tie Center

Feed the Peds

Char Boshart

Making Sense of Myo: The Orofacial Complex with Kristie Gatto

Making Sense of Myo: OMDs and Speech Sound Disorders with Dr. Angela McLeod

Pam Marshalla

ASHA Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders

The Perfect Oral Motor Storm: What Happened, Why, and Supportive Evidence for Oral Sensory-Motor Therapy (Char Boshart)

Free CEU Tracker

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on X

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on LinkedIn

ASHA

Guest: Char Boshart, M.A., CCC-SLP

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

This episode features a practical and informative perspective of myofunctional therapy for speech sound disorders and the oral stage of swallowing. Char discusses “myo” treatment from three points of view. She covers the rationale behind myo (and why sometimes its treatment validity is unfairly questioned) and, most importantly, outlines the essential components of myofunctional therapy.

About the Guest: Char Boshart, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist, seminar presenter, and president of Speech Dynamics. She’s the author of several practical books for clinicians, including The Easy R, The Myofunctional Evaluation, and The Key to Carryover. Over the course of her career, Char has delivered hundreds of highly rated seminars on speech and language topics through platforms such as Speech Therapy PD, TalkTools, the Bureau of Education and Research (BER), and her own company, Speech Dynamics. She also hosts the popular Speech Link podcast and writes the resource-rich, idea-driven blog, Therapy Matters—both aimed at supporting fellow SLPs with tools they can use right away. Char earned her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Michigan University, where she studied under the legendary Dr. Charles Van Riper in the final years of his career. Since then, she has served as an Assistant Professor and Department Chair at Loma Linda University and spent many years working in both public schools and private practice. Char’s passion remains firmly rooted in what she loves most: doing therapy and talking about therapy—always with a focus on clarity, practicality, and connections.

Show Notes:

Contact Char Boshart: LinkedIn, X

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Speech Link

Speech Dynamics, Inc.

Swalloworks

Dr. Marvin Hanson on Amazon

The Myofunctional Evaluation

Demystify the Tongue Tie

The Easy R Therapy Program

Dr. Charles Van Riper

Handbook of Speech Pathology

Handbook of Speech Pathology and Audiology

‘Speaking tongues are always braced’

The Key to Carryover

Dr. Mark Fay

Flight Speech Therapy, LLC

Free CEU Tracker

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on X

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on LinkedIn

ASHA

Guest: Janine Steine, MA, CCC-SLP, TSHH

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

This episode features Janine Steine, MA, CCC-SLP, TSHH, who shares the importance of interdisciplinary care. Janine explains why interdisciplinary care is important to treating myofunctional disorders, care providers that might be involved with orofacial myofunctional disorders, and signs that a referral is needed.

About the Guest: Janine Stiene, MA, CCC-SLP, TSHH, is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicap, and trained Myofunctional Therapist with over 20 years of experience in New York. Her postgraduate coursework is equivalent to doctoral-level training, minus the dissertation. Janine earned her undergraduate degree from Loyola University and her MA in Speech Pathology from Hofstra University. She is the owner and CEO of Long Island Speech and Myofunctional Therapy, which has expanded to nine locations across Long Island, NY. It is the largest privately-owned, insurance-based speech pathology practice on the East Coast and the largest insurance-based myofunctional therapy practice nationwide. Janine created and trademarked the S.P.O.T. Myofunctional Therapy Program, a proprietary approach exclusive to her practice and clinicians. She is also the Founder and CEO of Spot Pal—the world’s first tongue training appliance designed to promote proper lingual resting posture and eliminate tongue thrust. In addition to her clinical and entrepreneurial work, Janine hosts the podcast *Why-O-Myo* and co-hosts the series *Talk the Talk*, where she shares insights on speech, myofunctional therapy, and innovation in the field.

Show Notes:

Contact Janine Steine: LinkedIn

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Spot Pal

WHY-O-MYO

Talk the Talk Podcast

Tongue Thrust Book

Swallow Right

Free CEU Tracker

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on X

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on LinkedIn

ASHA

Guest: Patricia K. Fisher, MA, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

This episode explores the relationship between ankyloglossia and disorders that speech-language pathologists treat. Patricia Fisher, MS, CCC-SLP, COM® shares her knowledge on ankyloglossia. She starts the episode by explaining the characteristics of ankyloglossia and the impacts it has on the oral mechanism. Patricia then explains how ankyloglossia can impact speech, swallowing, voice, and fluency disorders.

About the Guest: Patricia K. Fisher, MA, CCC-SLP, works with Speech & Language Associates of Dayton, Ohio. Patty is certified in Orofacial Myology (2010) and in the Lidcombe Program, an Australian-based treatment for children who stutter. She has served as adjunct faculty at Miami University of Ohio and the College of St. Rose in New York. Patty is a Fellow of the Ohio Speech and Hearing Language Association (OSHLA) and has received Honors of the Association—its highest, one-time, lifetime award recognizing distinguished contributions to the field of speech-language pathology. She has chaired the Consumer Affairs, Insurance Initiative, and Student Scholarship Committees and served as Director of Public Information. In 2018, Patty was invited to join the teaching team of Make the Connection with Dinah Davidson, BS, RDH, COM®, and Mary Billings, MS, CCC-SLP. She also completed a research project on orofacial issues with the Max Planck Institute in Germany. In 2021, Patty was awarded the prestigious Connie Painter Distinguished Service Award for her mentoring efforts. She is also the recipient of 17 ASHA ACE Awards for excellence in continuing education.

Show Notes:

Contact Patricia Fisher,: LinkedIn

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on X

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on LinkedIn

ASHA

Guest: Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

This episode features Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, CMT®, COM®, who dives into orofacial myofunctional evaluation and treatment. Listen in as Hallie shares an overview of an orofacial myofunctional evaluation, how it relates to the assessment of speech and feeding and provides examples of when a patient might benefit from a referral to a myofunctional evaluation. Hallie ends the episode by sharing the general goals of a myofunctional treatment plan and an overview of a typical myofunctional treatment session.

About the Guest: Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, is a Feeding Specialist, Certified Myofunctional Therapist and Speech-Language Pathologist. Hallie is the founder of Feed The Peds®: A comprehensive 12-week course on the foundations of pediatric feeding and swallowingTM; The Myo Method®: Intro To Myo Course; The Myo Membership®; and the Untethered Podcast. Hallie also is the founder and director of Little Sprout Therapy & Metro Myo a pediatric clinic providing feeding therapy, orofacial myofunctional therapy, speech-language therapy and occupational therapy in DC, MD, VA, NY, NJ & FL. Her team provides myofunctional therapy to adults, too! Hallie specializes in treating infants, toddlers, children with tethered oral tissues (TOTs), feeding delays and disorders and orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs).

Show Notes:

Contact Hallie Bulkin: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Feed the Peds

The Untethered Podcast

Pediatric Feeding Screener

F.A.S.T. Myo Screening Packet

Oralfacial Myology Textbook

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on X

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on LinkedIn

ASHA

Guest: Angela N. McLeod, PhD, CCC-SLP, QOM

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

This episode explores the relationship between orofacial myofunctional disorders and speech sound disorders. Dr. Angela McLeod, PhD, CCC-SLP, QOM, shares how an orofacial myofunctional disorder can impact speech sound production. Dr. McLeod shares how improving orofacial myofunction can improve a patient’s ability to produce accurate speech sounds. Listen in as Dr. McLeod presents the evidence behind using a myofunctional approach to treat speech sound disorders. To wrap up this episode, Dr. McLeod shares that considering the potential presence of orofacial myology concerns when addressing articulation disorders is an important component of differential diagnosis to determine the best course of treatment.

About the Guest: Angela N. McLeod, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a Clinical Associate Professor and Speech-Language Pathologist at the University of South Carolina. Her clinical experience spans healthcare, educational settings, home health care, and early intervention, serving clients across the lifespan. She is a certified Qualified Orofacial Myologist (QOM), and her additional clinical and research interests include speech sound disorders, literacy, language development and disorders, and cultural and linguistic variation.

Show Notes:

Contact Angela McLeod: LinkedIn

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Mythbusting Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders - Angela McLeod, PhD, CCC-SLP

Orofacial Myology: International Perspectives

Linda D’Onofrio

Kristie Gatto on LinkedIn

‘An investigation of the efficacy of oral myofunctional therapy as a precursor to articulation therapy for pre-first grade children’

‘Myofunctional therapy in patients with orofacial dysfunctions affecting speech’

‘Effects of oral myofunctional therapy on swallowing and sibilant production’

‘Orofacial myofunctional therapy in dysarthria: A study on speech intelligibility’

‘Efficiency of Myofunctioanl Therapy in Cases of Phonological, Phonetic, and Phonetic-Phonological Disorders’

‘Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and Myofunctional Devices Used in Speech Pathology Treatment: A Systematic Quantitative Review of the Literature’

Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Dr. Zaghi's Breathe Institute

ASHA

More Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders with Dr. Angela

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on X

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on LinkedIn

Guest: Mary Billings, MS, CCC-SLP, COM®

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This episode features Mary Billings, MS, CCC-SLP, COM®, who shares the foundational role swallowing plays in craniofacial development. Mary explains the deficits an individual with an orofacial myofunctional disorder might have and shares about swallow patterns. Listen in as she discusses how myofunctional therapy can be used to support individuals in correcting their swallow patterns to improve the overall physiology of the craniofacial complex.

About the Guest: Mary Billings, MS, CCC-SLP, COM®, is a licensed and certified Speech-Language Pathologist through the American Speech Language & Hearing Association and the current owner of Billings Speech Pathology Services in Kansas City, Missouri. Her clinical focus is in orofacial myofunctional disorders encompasses feeding and swallowing aversions, dysphagia, motor-based speech disorders, dentofacial and other craniofacial abnormalities as well as pediatric feeding.

Show Notes:

Contact Mary Billings: Mary Billings

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Billings Speech

Pam Marshala

Jeri A. Logemann Books

Speech Dynamics

The Speech Link Podcast

Oral-Motor Analysis and Remediation Techniques

The Myofunctional Evaluation

Function Focus Academy

Marsha Dunn Klein on LinkedIn

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on X

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on LinkedIn

ASHA

Guest: Kristie Gatto, MA, CCC-SLP, COM®

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This episode explores the craniofacial complex and its foundational in the physiological processes of speech and swallowing. Listen in as Kristie Gatto, MA, CCC-SLP, COM®️ shares her knowledge on the anatomy and physiology of the craniofacial complex and how it relates back to the physiological processes speech pathologists treat.

About the Guest: Kristie Gatto, MA, CCC-SLP, COM®, is a certified speech-language pathologist and orofacial myologist with over two decades of experience across public and private schools, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, children’s hospitals, and private practice. Since 2004, Kristie has focused her clinical work on pediatric feeding disorders. Her search for more effective solutions led her to the field of orofacial myology, and in 2011, she became the first certified orofacial myologist in Houston, Texas. Kristie is the owner of The Speech and Language Connection, where she treats patients of all ages with a wide range of concerns including feeding and swallowing disorders, dysphagia, deglutition issues, oral sensory aversions, and sleep-related breathing disorders. Her passion lies in helping individuals overcome complex oral-motor and myofunctional challenges to achieve optimal health and communication outcomes.

Show Notes:

Contact Kristie Gatto: LinkedIn

Understanding the Orofacial Complex: The Evolution of Dysfunction

Understanding the Orofacial Complex: Muscle Manual

Sam, The Super Chewer Eats

International Association of Orofacial Myology

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on X

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on LinkedIn

ASHA

Guest: Linda D’Onofrio, MS, CCC-SLP

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This episode features Linda D’Onofrio, who has spent her career studying, teaching, and spreading awareness about orofacial myofunctional disorders. She will discuss what orofacial myology and myofunctional therapy are. Linda then discusses what an orofacial myofunctional disorder is and the signs and symptoms of OMDs. She then dives into how a patient with an OMD can impact speech and articulation skills and why a myofunctional program can support these patients. Listen in as Linda shares the evidence behind using myofunctional therapy to support speech and swallowing goals and whether or not the treatment of orofacial myofunctonal disorders is within an SLP’s scope of practice.

About the Guest: Linda D’Onofrio, MS, CCC-SLP, completed her degree in Communication Disorders at the University of Oregon, her medical externship at the Oregon Health Sciences University Medical Center, and her clinical fellowship at the Oregon VA Medical Center. As an adjunct instructor, she has taught graduate courses in oromyofunctional disorders and craniofacial disorders. She has reviewed manuscripts for the Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, and the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. Her paper, “Oral dysfunction as a cause of malocclusion,” in the journal Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research was awarded the most downloaded article for the journal in 2019 and 2020. She has lectured on oral physiology at several universities, including Stanford and Tufts. Currently, she is an adjunct instructor at the Universität Jaume in Catalan, Spain Dental Masters Program, and the Vienna School for Interdisciplinary Dentistry.

Show Notes:

Contact Linda D’Onofrio: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram

Contact Madi Metcalf: LinkedIn

Linda D’Onofrio Vimeo Video Courses

International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy

The D’Onofrio Institute for Advanced Myofunctional Studies

Oral dysfunction as a cause of malocclusion

Myofunctional Therapy to Treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Orofacial dysfunction screening examinations in children with sleep-disordered breathing symptoms

Flight Speech Therapy

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on X

Dr. Elise Davis-McFarland on LinkedIn

ASHA