In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, sits down with Lily Glasgo, PhD, OTR/L, to explore how bias, policy, and politics have shaped the history of school meals and what that means for children today. Through the lens of institutional feeding systems, this conversation examines how school-based meal programs influence participation, access, and outcomes for students, particularly those with pediatric feeding disorder (PFD).
Dr. Glasgo introduces the concept of the “bad lunch” narrative, highlighting how cultural and societal judgments about what defines a “good” meal can stigmatize students and families and shape feeding expectations. These biases, rooted in historical and systemic influences, continue to affect equitable access to nutrition and how feeding behaviors are interpreted in school settings.
Together, they discuss the role of school-based clinicians, including the balance between therapeutic intervention and maintaining safe feeding practices, and how interprofessional collaboration can support more inclusive, student-centered care. This episode encourages SLPs to critically examine the intersection of systems, bias, and clinical practice to promote equitable feeding experiences for all students.
Dr. Glasgo introduces the concept of the “bad lunch” narrative, highlighting how cultural and societal judgments about what defines a “good” meal can stigmatize students and families and shape feeding expectations. These biases, rooted in historical and systemic influences, continue to affect equitable access to nutrition and how feeding behaviors are interpreted in school settings.
Together, they discuss the role of school-based clinicians, including the balance between therapeutic intervention and maintaining safe feeding practices, and how interprofessional collaboration can support more inclusive, student-centered care. This episode encourages SLPs to critically examine the intersection of systems, bias, and clinical practice to promote equitable feeding experiences for all students.
