ASHA Learning Pass

Advocacy across the continuum of care is critical for improving outcomes in pediatric feeding and swallowing. Although advocacy appears different in each setting, the end goal remains the same: improving the quality of life for the patients and families we serve. This session discusses advocacy in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and early intervention, as well as involvement in professional organizations. Presenters share examples of common issues across the continuum of care and solutions to these challenges through advocacy.

This course is a recorded session from the 2023 ASHA online conference Rethinking Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing.

Related Courses

See more sessions from Rethinking Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Describe how state- and national-level advocacy supports patients with pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders
• List three caregiver capacity-building strategies to support their self-advocacy skills
• Describe methods of obtaining provider and medical team buy-in regarding feeding/swallowing programs within the NICU, furthering advocacy for patients with pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders

Presenter Information

Alyson Ware, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, is a pediatric speech-language pathologist based out of Austin, Texas. She has worked in a variety of settings, including private practice, a children's hospital, and early intervention. Alyson is a volunteer for Dysphagia Outreach Project and TSHA and an affiliate of ASHA SIG 13. She currently works in early intervention and serves infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disorders. Alyson is a doctoral student at Texas Woman's University and her research interests include understanding barriers to feeding and swallowing services in Texas for infants and young children.

Financial Disclosures:

• Employee of Any Baby Can
• Employee of Medical SLP Collective
• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• Volunteer for Dysphagia Outreach Project
• TSHA Volunteer
• ASHA SIG 13 affiliate

Casey Lewis, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT, CLC, NTMTC, is the owner of TexScope LLC, a mobile FEES company that services the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. She is also an avid advocate for fragile infants that require hospitalization in the NICU and realizes that family-centered care is vital for best developmental outcomes as well as family well-being. She is the developer and copyright owner of the NICU Oral Feeding Algorithm© and speaks nationally and internationally regarding neonatal therapy and dysphagia management across the life span.

Financial Disclosures:

• Owner of TexScope LLC
• Salary from HCA Healthcare
• Copyright owner of NICU Oral Feeding Algorithm©
• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• None

Rebecca Smith, MS, CCC-SLP, CNT, CLC, BCS-S,is a clinical educator at Appalachian State University in the Beaver College of Health Sciences Interprofessional Clinic. She works in outpatient and acute care settings through ASU and teaches their pediatric dysphagia course in the graduate program. Rebecca is pursuing her PhD in Health Sciences with an anticipated completion date of May 2024. Over the last 5 years, she has specialized in evaluating and treating infant feeding and swallowing in the neonatal intensive care unit and assessing adult dysphagia in medical and surgical intensive care units. She is a certified neonatal therapist, a certified lactation counselor, and a board certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders. Rebecca has served on various local, state, and national committees. She served on the executive medical committee for Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association; ASHA Special Interest Group 13 (Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders) Professional Development Committee; Dysphagia Research Society’s Website, Communications, and Public Relations Committee; and Dysphagia Research Society’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. She has presented on numerous occasions through state associations and ASHA on neonatal intensive care and clinical supervision.

Financial Disclosures:

• Employee of Appalachian State University
• Employee of Pediatric Feeding Therapy LLC 
• Speaker fees from Dysphagia Cafe
• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• ASHA SIG 13 Professional Development Committee member
• Volunteer for Feeding Matters and Dysphagia Research Society

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete the learning assessment by the end date below.

Program History and CE Information

Content origination date:  October 31, 2024
End date: October 31, 2029

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).