In this episode of the First Bite podcast, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, sits down with Mary P. Dooher, MA, CCC-SLP, a passionate school-based clinician and advocate from Alaska, for a heartfelt and energizing conversation about supporting students with feeding and swallowing needs in the school setting.
Drawing from her journey across medical and educational environments, Mary shares how her work in pediatric feeding and swallowing evolved into systems-level advocacy within her district, state, and national organizations. Together, they explore the realities of addressing dysphagia and pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) in schools, the importance of interprofessional collaboration, and the critical need for trained providers to support safe and equitable feeding practices for students with complex needs.
With honesty and encouragement, Mary highlights the powerful role of advocacy, especially through professional organizations and educator unions, in driving meaningful change. Whether you're looking to strengthen feeding and swallowing services in your school or simply wondering where to begin, this episode will inspire you to embrace your role as an advocate, use the resources available to you, and take meaningful steps toward improving care, access, and outcomes for the students you serve.
Drawing from her journey across medical and educational environments, Mary shares how her work in pediatric feeding and swallowing evolved into systems-level advocacy within her district, state, and national organizations. Together, they explore the realities of addressing dysphagia and pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) in schools, the importance of interprofessional collaboration, and the critical need for trained providers to support safe and equitable feeding practices for students with complex needs.
With honesty and encouragement, Mary highlights the powerful role of advocacy, especially through professional organizations and educator unions, in driving meaningful change. Whether you're looking to strengthen feeding and swallowing services in your school or simply wondering where to begin, this episode will inspire you to embrace your role as an advocate, use the resources available to you, and take meaningful steps toward improving care, access, and outcomes for the students you serve.
