First Bite #159 – August 17, 2021

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work for PFD in the Public Schools

(.1 ASHA and AOTA CEUs) For more info, click here.

Course Description

In this episode, Michelle is joined by Kristen West, MA CCC-SLP, who helped establish a public school safe feeding program and served as a safe feeding consultant for the same educational agency. If you have ever wondered how to encourage your local education agency to embrace evaluation and treatment of pediatric feeding disorder (PFD), then join Michelle and Kristen as they walk you through the roles and responsibilities of team members, successful strategies the SLP can implement for their patient within the school, as well as functional strategies to ease the transition between early intervention and school-age services.

Objective

By the end of this PodCourse, participants will be able to identify and describe:

  • Team members and their roles in treating pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) within the local education agency (public schools).
  • 3 strategies that an SLP can implement for optimal treatment of PFD within the local education agency.
  • 3 strategies to improve continuity of care between early intervention and the local education agency.

Co-Presenter

Kristen West, MA CCC-SLP

Kristen West is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. In addition, she is a doctoral student pursuing her EdD at Slippery Rock University. Clinically, Kristen has with experience in a variety of pediatric settings including early intervention, pediatric acute care, outpatient and school-based services. Prior to joining Edinboro University, she helped establish a public school safe feeding program and served as a safe feeding consultant for the same educational agency. Currently, Kristen serves as the director of education for the Dysphagia Outreach Project She is also a member of SIG-13. In addition, she continues to maintains a PRN position at a pediatric hospital. Kristen has presented at the local, state, and national levels on the topic pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. Kristen is passionate advocating for feeding and swallowing services for children and their families across the continuum of care and ensuring equitable access to services for all children in need.