Advertise on podcast: The Holistic Speech Path Podcast

In this conversation, Kacey Holland MS, CCC-SLP, a board-certified pediatric Speech Language Pathologist, shares her journey as both a professional and a parent of an autistic child, her incredible son Zander. She discusses her journey of "becoming" from a traditional SLP to shifting toward a more holistic approach to therapy, the challenges of navigating autism diagnoses, and the role of alternative treatments and functional medicine. The conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration among professionals, the impact of social media in sharing experiences, and the evolving nature of speech therapy practices to better support children and families. In this conversation, Kacey, Megan, and Fatima explore the importance of grounding presence and co-regulation in therapy, the process of unlearning traditional methods, and the transformative power of spelling as a communication tool for non-speaking individuals. They emphasize the need for belief in a child's potential and the significance of holistic practices in therapy, sharing personal experiences and insights that highlight the emotional journey of parenting and professional practice. Connect with Kacey: Penfield Play Lab: https://penfieldplaylab.com/ IG and social media: @penfieldplaylab

BG Mancini, AP, MHSc, is an Advanced Certified Functional Medicine Clinician,Licensed Acupuncture Physician, and Neurodevelopmental Specialist with 30+ years of clinical experience. As founder of The Brain & Gut Institute, she has worked with thousands of patients and trained clinicians worldwide on how physiological states influence regulation, behavior, and healing. Her Brain–Gut–Sensory Axis Framework integrates neuroscience, the microbiome, sensory physiology, and autonomic function to optimize how we feel and interact with the world around us and within us. Her FID model consists of using the Frequency, Intensity and Duration Framework to help individuals and clinicians to understand how Inputs, Response, and Rewiring through MicroResetsTM support building reserves, resilience and deepened capacity. BG shares that the state of our nervous system will determine whether we can process and release ongoing stress or trauma or whether it will be filed and stored in our cells and tissues. With her unique framework, she integrates neuroscience and functional medicine, showcasing how small changes in our gut health can have profound effects on our overall well-being.  We discuss the importance of the Family Nervous System (TM) and how she intricately supports the whole family ecosystem.  Understanding the brain-gut-sensory axis is crucial, especially for parents navigating their child's developmental challenges. BG emphasizes that the right interventions at the right time can create a safe environment for healing.   Connect with BG: Linked In Instagram Website: https://www.braingutinstitute.com/

Dr. Sabrina Baxter is a pelvic floor physical therapist and birth doula in South Florida. She is the founder of Floor Friendly, a pelvic health practice focused on helping women through chronic pelvic pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction, pregnancy, postpartum recovery. Dr. Baxter blends her clinical PT expertise with strength training and education to help women feel strong, supported, and confident in their bodies.  This conversation explores pelvic floor anatomy and functions, signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction and most especially the role of pelvic health in fertility and pregnancy. Dr. Baxter uses a holistic approaches to support pelvic pain and endometriosis and shares in depth the importance of cycle awareness and self-care.  In her practice, she combines hands-on body work and therapeutic exercise to restore posture, build strength and provide her clients with long-lasting results and relief.  Floor Friendly : https://www.drsabrinabaxter.com/pelvic-pt Instagram: @floorfriendly @drsabrinabaxter

Dr. Dana Johnson, PhD, MS, OTR/L, is the Founder of Spellers Center Tampa and Spellers Center Atlanta, the Founder of Invictus Academy Tampa Bay, and the co-founder of the Spellers Method™. She holds a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and a PhD in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Development.  Dr. Johnson is a producer of the award-winning documentary SPELLERS, executive producer of UNDERESTIMATED: The Heroic Rise of Nonspeaking Spellers, and co-author of The Spellers Guidebook: Practical Advice for Parents and Students. She also serves on the Medical Science and Advisory Board for Documenting Hope. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Johnson specializes in helping individuals with autism, apraxia, and other neurodevelopmental disabilities develop intentional motor skills and improve their overall health. Her work is rooted in a deep belief that these individuals are capable, intelligent, and deserving of the support needed to unlock their full potential. As she shares, whole-body apraxia  is consistently inconsistent. This episode is will help any professional who is look to reframe or shift their mindset as a good starting point in better understanding our non-speakers, whole-body apraxia as well as presuming competence.  Connect with Dr. Dana Johnson on You Tube, Instagram, X and Facebook.  https://www.youtube.com/@DrDanaJohnson www.drdanajohnson.com https://www.spellers.com/tampa CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Dana Johnson 02:09 Dr. Johnson's Journey in Occupational Therapy 04:49 The Shift to Whole Body Apraxia 10:22 Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection 14:10 Presuming Competence in Clients 17:38 Practical Strategies for Therapists 26:20 Managing Expectations with Whole Body Apraxia 27:36 Mindset Shifts in Therapy 32:37 The Role of Parents in Advocacy 36:59 Self-Regulation and Co-Regulation 43:22 Challenging Traditional Testing Methods 51:33 The Importance of Vision in Motor Planning

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Svitlana Koval shares her journey into airway-focused orthodontics, emphasizing the importance of understanding the airway in relation to orthodontic treatment. She discusses the impact of sleep disordered breathing with children and adults, the significance of oral anatomy in speech therapy, and the role of the oral microbiome. Dr. Koval also explains innovative procedures like MARPE (Miniscrew-assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) highlighting their benefits for airway health and overall well-being. The discussion underscores the need for an interdisciplinary approach in treatment, guiding parents on how to seek the best support for their children and how fundamental it is to assess a child's airway when symptoms arise.  Website: https://www.drssk.com/ Instagram: @drsvitlanakoval YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drsvitlanakoval 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Svitlana Koval 02:33 The Journey to Airway-Focused Orthodontics 06:26 Understanding Airway and Orthodontics 11:05 The Impact of Sleep Disordered Breathing 15:52 Anatomy and Oral Motor Observations 20:30 The Role of Mouth Breathing in Oral Health 24:58 MARPE and Palatal Expansion Procedures 32:28 Posture and Airway Treatment 36:22 Finding the Right Support for Airway Issues

In this episode of the Holistic Speech Path podcast, we welcome Austin Moore, a spelling coach based in Atlanta who shares his journey into the world of spelling and communication for non-speakers. An absolute brilliant mind with a big heart, Austin discusses the importance of presuming competence, the challenges faced by practitioners, and the various methodologies available for teaching spelling. The conversation delves into the brain-body disconnect, gestalt language processing, and the transformative power of spelling in the lives of autistic individuals.  Austin emphasizes the need for humility, trust, and community support in this field, while also looking towards the future of communication. What an inspiring conversation! Connect with Austin on social media: Instagram, TikTok and YouTube: @spellingmoore https://spellingmoore.org 00:00 Introduction to Spelling and Communication 02:51 Austin's Journey into the Spelling World 05:37 The Importance of Presuming Competence 08:16 Humility and Learning in Practice 11:16 Navigating Different Methodologies 14:03 Building Communication Through Spelling 16:55 The Role of Trust and Regulation 19:29 The Journey of Non-Speakers to Communication 22:17 The Challenges and Triumphs of Spelling 25:17 Gestalt Processing and Communication Patterns 29:25 Understanding Rote Speech and Communication Challenges 31:56 The Complexity of Sensory Processing and Communication 35:56 The Importance of Presuming Competence 40:10 Empathy and Understanding in Communication 42:42 Personal Stories and Transformative Experiences 46:14 Analogies for Understanding Communication Barriers 51:23 Neuroplasticity and Building Communication Pathways

Dr. Pauline K. Buck, O.D., FOVDR, is a fellowship trained optometrist with the OVDRA.  Dr. Buck developed and is the optometric director of Dr Buck Vision, in Miami, Florida. The clinic focuses on improving the efficiency of the visual system in individuals of all ages, from children with visually based learning dysfunction to teens with concussion to post stroke adults. Dr. Buck utilizes tried and true vision therapy technologies and techniques and has been known to occasionally create her own.  However, her strength is in the collaborative way she works with allied health professionals, teachers, and tutors. Her relationships with these professionals and their numerous information exchanges over the years has cultivated an awareness and understanding of how vision and the therapeutic disciplines of occupational, physical and speech therapy complement each other for improved patient outcomes.   There is a big difference in vision "can I see" and vision as in "how are the eyes behaving." In this episode, Dr. Buck discusses numerous paradigm shifts that helped her recreate her visual pyramid and hierarchy of support in partnering with OT's, functional medicine doctors and other professionals. Vision is related to brain growth and development, sensory, motor, speech and other functions in the body. This is a hugely insightful episode and visual behavior must be taken into consideration as you look at the "whole-child." Dr. Pauline Buck: https://www.drbuckvision.com/  Note: since recording the workshop took place.

Welcome back to Season 2 of The Holistic Speech Path Podcast. HSP has been on our hearts and minds for the last 8 months as we took a break to recalibrate and focus on our health, shifting our clinical work and taking the time needed to make sure we are in full alignment. We have some incredible guests this season and will be further exploring airway health, vision and visual behavior, spelling and supporting non-speakers, pelvic floor health, motor planning from an OT lens and so much more. We are in deep gratitude that you chose to share your attention and time with us. HSP is our contribution to the collective so that we can all grow and learn together.

Suzy Miller is a pioneer in the field of Speech-Language Pathology having been one of the very first SLP's to understand the depth and magnitude of energy and vibration in working with autistic children. Her experience in becoming multi-dimensional from a spiritual level is mind-blowing and has paved and continues to pave the way in allowing for us to truly understand what unconditional love and understanding is in working with autistic children. To truly listen to what they are conveying to us and the collective.  Suzy is a visionary speaker, author, telepathic communicator, multidimensional seer and integration specialist. She began her life’s work after a child diagnosed with autism requested that she integrate his light body with the physical body so that he could function more fully here. Her success with his integration and many thousands of others with a similar request has encouraged her to use her skills to support anyone seeking to more fully express the essence of their true nature. A former Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist, with a Master’s Degree in Education, Suzy has collaborated with professionals in a variety of fields from psychology, social work, mainstream education and medicine to leading edge scientists, metaphysicians, healers and new thought leaders. A lifelong student of consciousness, Suzy has personally facilitated the growth and mastery of hundreds of Awesomism practitioners and thousands of private clients worldwide. She supports the integration of unintegrated aspects of Self through private sessions, courses, workshops, articles, speaking engagements, and live events! She specializes in the integration of autism, childhood traumas and heightened spiritual experiences.  Suzy's website which hosts a plethora of resources and information, monthly offerings and her enlightening newsletter: https://suzymiller.com Suzy's brilliant must-read book Awesomism can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/AWESOMISM-New-Understand-Diagnosis-Autism/dp/1440102856

Most SLP's are not paid enough in comparison to the heavy work loads they carry. We are often taught to practice from a  "lack mindset" instead of an "abundance mindset" with money and to function from a personal and professional lens of do more for less. A shift is urgently necessary to help avoid burnout. While there is always a need for advocacy, the truth is, a holistic mindset toward your relationship with money starts with YOU. All roads and paths will lead back to "self."  Our conversation with Cleo Matlou, a Money Mindset Coach was expansive and very empowering. She shares some foundational ways to make the necessary shift toward creating more capacity to receive wealth and abundance in your business, career and life. We speak about how many SLP's have subconscious beliefs that are controlling their internal narrative holding them back to try something new or reach their full alignment with their own unique footprint. Entrepreneurship is far from easy but keeping in mind the importance of "impact" and "income" can help set you up for success.  Website: https://www.womenaboutfinance.com/about Linkedin: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/cleo-matlou Instagram: @cleo_matlou

Many know Katie Asher as Houstons mom from the Telepathy Tapes. We had the honor of speaking to Katie and learning more about her entire journey from childhood to motherhood and everything in between. She is a single mother of five and fierce advocate for her son Houston and all other non-speakers with severe motor impairments. She is also the author of The Book of Heaven which led to her playing a key role in the award winning podcast The Telepathy Tapes. Houston was almost 22 years old before he had an opportunity to learn how to communicate. Before that day, when people would ask Katie what she wanted most in life she would shoot back, “I want to know my son! I want to know what he thinks and feels!” She shares in depth that the day their lives changed forever was when, after a few months of struggling on the letter boards, Houston was asked this question after a lesson on the history of the t-shirt. “If you could put any slogan on a t-shirt, what would it be?” and Houston slowly, letter by letter, spelled…        I        M        I         N        H       E        R        E.  And hope began. Katie's efforts are focused on dismantling institutions, policies, laws, and prejudices that have denied these ctiizens their legal and constitutional rights as well as dehumanized them. She holds this truth: " Unity can only happen after truth begets justice. Then love can win."  Follow Katie and Houstons journey on IG: @asherhousehope Purchase Katie's book on Amazon here:  The Book of Heaven- a story of hope for the outcasts, the broken and those who lost faith.  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737898608?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_CBAWVRKBK99R635N8MWN&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_CBAWVRKBK99R635N8MWN&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_CBAWVRKBK99R635N8MWN&bestFormat=true The Telepathy Tapes: https://thetelepathytapes.com/ Listen to the Telepathy Tapes on either Apple Podcast or Spotify Watch the trailer of the upcoming film here: https://thetelepathytapes.com/trailer

Whether it is Spelling to Communicate (S2C), Rapid Prompt Method (RPM), the Spellers Method or Facilitated Communication, we can all agree that this arena of communicative support is nothing short of controversial. It is bewildering as to why especially with shared lived experiences and witnessing many children and young adults finally unlocking their voices and intellectual property via spelling. We had the wonderful gift of interviewing Libby Ingram who many will know from the Telepathy Tapes as John Paul's mom. Libby, an SLP, who has worked in a variety of settings shares her journey as an SLP and becoming a mom to twin boys, one of which was a non-speaking autistic.  She is a certified S2C practitioner since 2017 and now runs the foundation created in honor of her son.  This conversation will challenge the current echo chambers and narratives that deny acknowledging lived experiences. Libby's honesty, vulnerability and courage during this conversation is nothing short of pure love in true service to non-speaking autistic children and their families. Support the foundation here:https://lovejohnpaul.org/ Follow Libby and family keep John Pauls legacy alive in love and light on Instagram here: @lovelikejohnpaul  https://www.instagram.com/lovelikejohnpaul?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Nutrition is foundational and many of our children struggle with complex picky eating. Our guest, Shandy Laskey is an integrative Speech-Language Pathologist and pediatric feeding specialist, as well as a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Documenting Hope Certified Health Coach. Combining her qualifications and her passion for holistic health and wellness, Shandy serves as an online nutrition, feeding, and development coach for parents of children with complex picky eating with and without developmental conditions (such as autism, ADHDs, sensory processing disorders, developmental delays, Down syndrome, PANS PANDAS, and more). She is passionate about helping parents improve and optimize their child's health, wellness, and development at home through nutrition and lifestyle changes, in addition to developmental strategies. In this episode, Shandy shares her insights from her own personal journey in dealing with chronic health issues and how this forged a path ahead with a niche and focus in nutrition and complex picky eating. We also speak about ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), how it's diagnosed and where it overlaps with PANS/PANDAS and Pediatric Feeding Disorders. The hope and intention is that parents and fellow clinicians feel empowered after listening to this episode.   You can learn more about Shandy's work and free resources at speakingofhealthandwellness.com.

Author, educator and former healthcare consultant, Beth Lambert has monitored and documented the escalating rates of childhood chronic conditions for over a decade.  Her first book, A Compromised Generation, provides a thorough analysis of the origins of this modern health crisis and documents how modifications to environmental and lifestyle factors can profoundly influence health outcomes, including full disease reversal. Beth is also the co-author of Brain Under Attack: A Resource for Parents and Caregivers of Children with PANS, PANDAS, and Autoimmune Encephalitis. Documenting Hope is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing root cause healing solutions for children’s chronic health and developmental conditions. Documenting Hope provides resources and support for parents and practitioners who are ready to move beyond the conventional symptom-suppressive approach to disease management. Learn more about: Documenting Hope  www.documentinghope.com A Compromised Generation: http://sentientpublications.com/shop/books/all-titles/a-compromised-generation/ Brain Under Attack http://www.brainunderattack.com Reversal of Autism Symptoms among Dizygotic Twins through a Personalized Lifestyle and Environmental Modification Approach: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. https://documentinghope.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Reversal-of-Autism-Symptoms-among-Dizygotic-Twins-through-a-Personalized-Lifestyle-and-Environmental-Modification-Approach-A-Case-Report-and-Review-of-the-Literature.pdf Healing Together by Documenting Hope: supporting parents on a healing journey. https://healing.documentinghope.com/register/

Total Load Theory and the Power of AND In this episode, we speak about the power of AND and how valuable it is to hold different perspectives to better serve our children. We have been convinced that in order to be neurodiversity affirming, we should ignore the determinants of health such as sleep, nutrition, stressors on the body from environmental factors etc. The power of AND teaches us that we can hold true many different ways to support our children all based on respect for their humanity first and foremost.  Total Load Theory has been a game changer in how we both support families and children. When we speak about determining a child’s total load, what does that mean? Every human body has an individual load limit. One can handle only a certain number of stressors  before the body begins to show symptoms of breakdown. To understand a child's total load is to take into consideration ALL potential internal/external stressors and to determine how best to decrease these in order for that child to thrive.  Some helpful resources as discussed in this episode: 1. Documenting Hope https://documentinghope.com/ https://documentinghope.com/total-load-theory/ 2. Breathe Institute https://thebreatheinstitute.com/ 3. Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration -  (MNRI Method) https://masgutovamethod.com/the-method/how-mnri-method-works 4.Book: Outsmarting Autism by Patricia Lemer