Why Pediatric Feeding Therapy Feels So Hard and What’s Been Missing

Описание: Why Pediatric Feeding Therapy Feels So Hard and What’s Been Missing

In this episode of The Untethered Podcast, Hallie Bulkin sits down with Cheryl Pelletier ,M.S., CCC-SLP to discuss the essential infrastructure of a successful career in feeding therapy: mentorship, community, and the courage to evolve.

Many clinicians feel like they are on an island when navigating complex pediatric swallowing and feeding cases. Hallie and Cheryl pull back the curtain on why "gatekeeping" in the profession hinders patient care and how transitioning from a solo mindset to a collaborative one transforms clinical outcomes. They explore how the right tools—combined with structured mentorship—can turn clinical anxiety into confident, life-changing intervention.

This episode dives deep into the reality that clinical excellence isn't just about what you know; it’s about who you learn with. From navigating the "imposter" feelings of a new specialty to leveraging innovative tools for safer feeding, Hallie and Cheryl provide a roadmap for clinicians ready to elevate their professional standing and improve their patients' quality of life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

✔️ Why mentorship is a constant necessity, not just a "beginner phase"
✔️ How to overcome the obstacles and "gatekeeping" that stall professional growth
✔️ The role of specialized certification in building clinical reasoning and authority
✔️ Why sharing knowledge across disciplines (SLPs and OTs) is the key to reducing waitlists
✔️ How innovative feeding tools can facilitate safer, more effective therapy sessions
✔️ Why building on a child’s strengths is more effective than focusing on deficits
✔️ How to measure success through improved quality of life for the whole family
If you’re ready to stop second-guessing your clinical decisions and start leading with confidence, Screen The Peds to Feed The Peds is your next step.
Join me for this free 3-day training, where I’ll show you how to screen feeding cases clearly, confidently, and with intention — so you know exactly what to do next.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 - Why collaboration is the key to pediatric feeding success
00:26 - Introducing guest Cheryl "Sasha" Pelletier, M.S., CCC-SLP
01:02 - The invention of the Side Biter: A game-changer in feeding tools
01:28 - Mentorship within the Feed The Peds and CPFT programs
01:49 - Hallie’s mission and the importance of correct oral rest posture
03:05 - Why mentorship has been a 35-year constant in Cheryl’s career
03:50 - Building a feeding program from scratch: The early "Ground Zero" days
04:38 - Facing the harsh reality of "gatekeeping" in the clinical field
05:13 - Why standard courses often fall short of real-world patient needs
05:50 - Overcoming "clinical imposter syndrome" in the trenches
06:30 - The value of a mentor who "walks alongside you"
07:37 - Training clinicians to reduce massive patient waitlists
08:50 - Transitioning from a solo clinic mindset to wide-scale education
11:24 - Redefining "Success": It’s about more than just the child eating
14:15 - Bridging the gap between SLPs and OTs in feeding therapy
18:42 - Clinical Reasoning: Moving beyond "what" to "why"
22:10 - Navigating medical gaslighting and advocating for families
27:35 - How specialized certification (CPFT) builds professional authority
32:18 - Safety First: Using innovative tools for safer swallowing
36:50 - Building on a child’s strengths vs. focusing on their deficits
41:12 - Why mentorship is for every phase of your career, not just the start
45:40 - How to join the "Screen The Peds to Feed The Peds" free training
49:30 - Closing thoughts: The long-term impact on family quality of life

👉 Join the free 3-day Screen The Peds to Feed The Peds training
https://www.feedthepeds.com/training

RELATED EPISODES YOU MIGHT LOVE
Episode 318: Feed The Peds®: The Mission with Hallie Bulkin, MA CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™ : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Ep 337: Unlocking Pediatric Feeding: Expert Strategies with Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™ : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

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