In this episode of First Bite, host Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, wraps up October’s AAC Awareness Month with one of her favorite guests, Stephen Kneece, MS, CCC-SLP! Stephen, founder of Speech and Language Songs on Instagram, is an AAC guru with Forbes AAC, a seasoned school-based SLP, and former Department Chair of Speech-Language Pathology at Columbia College. Did we mention he’s also a vocalist and guitarist too?!?

Tune in (pun intended) as Stephen guides us through the clinical decision-making process for AAC selection for the little ones on our caseloads, provides easy step-by-step directions for the evaluation-to-funding process, and shares alternative funding options when insurance denies.

If you’re new to AAC or to Forbes AAC, this episode will be sure to answer questions you didn’t even know you had!

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/strategies-for-starting-aac

About the Guest: Stephen Kneece, MS CCC-SLP, is an experienced Speech-Language Pathologist with a deep-rooted passion for enhancing communication through technology. With a background that began in media arts and music, Stephen’s journey led him to discover his true calling in speech-language pathology. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts with a minor in Music from the University of South Carolina and went on to obtain his Master of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology from South Carolina State University. Stephen’s professional path took shape during his nine years as a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist in South Carolina’s public schools. It was here that he discovered his passion for working with Augmentative and Alternative Communication, finding immense fulfillment in helping children with complex communication needs express themselves. This experience sparked his dedication to AAC, laying the foundation for his future endeavors in the field. Before assuming his current role, Stephen served as Chair of the Speech-Language Pathology Program at Columbia College. He also served as a Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor. During his time there, he taught courses such as Phonetics, Language Acquisition & Development, Language Disorders, Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Technology, and Augmentative and Alternative Communication, while also guiding and mentoring students through their clinical practicums. In addition, Stephen spent four years teaching the Augmentative and Alternative Communication course at the University of South Carolina. His dedication to teaching and mentorship has left a lasting impact on the next generation of SLP professionals. In addition to his work in academia, Stephen’s innovative approach to therapy includes the creation of Speech and Language Songs, a platform that merges his love for music with speech therapy. His contributions to the field have been recognized both locally and nationally, including receiving the Louis M. DiCarlo Award for Outstanding Clinical Achievement in 2024.

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Full conversation with Melissa Davis, MS, CCC-SLP and Jenna Nassar, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, for "Intraprofessional Practice: Strategies for Effective Collaboration Between SLPs" an episode of the First Bite podcast.

Hosted by: Michelle Dawson MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/intraprofessional-practice-strategies

In this episode of First Bite, we’re exploring what effective intraprofessional practice really looks like for SLPs in pediatrics. When colleagues collaborate well, everyone benefits—especially the little ones we serve.

Join Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, as she interviews Melissa Davis, MS, CCC-SLP, owner of Speech Therapy for Kids and co-owner of Kids Therapy Spot in Starkville and Columbus, MS, and Jenna Nassar, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, clinician and instructor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Together, they share how they make intraprofessional collaboration work for optimal continuity of care.

Tune in to learn what a typical day looks like for a pediatric medical SLP in different settings, discover strategies to strengthen your clinical skills across those settings, and gain practical ideas for communicating effectively—even across hundreds of miles—so that the little ones on both your caseloads thrive.

About the Guest(s): Melissa Davis, MS CCC-SLP, is the owner of Speech Therapy for Kids and co-owner of Kids Therapy Spot located in Starkville and Columbus, MS. Melissa received her bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Middle Tennessee State University in May of 2000 and her master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Mississippi University for Women in May of 2002. Melissa worked for two rehabilitation companies from 2002 to 2009, providing speech therapy services in homes and daycare centers for children in the early intervention program. In January 2010, Melissa went into private practice. She now has two outpatient clinics in Starkville and Columbus, MS, in addition to contracting speech therapy services at three Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Facilities and the private schools in Starkville, MS. In addition to owning a private practice, Melissa continues to be a treating SLP primarily focusing on treating children with pediatric feeding disorders at her two outpatient clinics, in addition to the PPEC in Starkville, MS. She also consults on patients with PFD at the PPECs located in Meridian and Columbus, MS. Melissa is an active volunteer with Feeding Matters and was on the 2023 and 2024 ASHA PFD topic committee. She consistently speaks to undergraduate and graduate students at various universities about PFD and has also had numerous speaking engagements, presenting information on opening and operating a private practice.

Jenna Nassar, MS CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a pediatric speech pathologist and an instructor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Cancer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. In addition to these roles, she also serves as the pediatric outpatient team leader, clinical Internship coordinator for the Department of Speech Pathology, and as a member of the cleft and craniofacial team. She specializes in pediatric swallowing and feeding disorders and serves patients both inpatient and outpatient at Batson Children's Hospital. She holds Board Certification in swallow and swallowing disorders through the ABSSD. She is trained in a variety of treatment approaches for feeding and swallowing disorders. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association, SIG 13, and Feeding Matters. She was awarded the 2023 Clinical Achievement Award from the Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the Association's Honors in 2025. In 20024, she served on the Pediatric Feeding...

Guest: Hannah Patten MSP, CCC-SLP

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/courses/brain-injury-and-the-pediatric-slp

Pediatric brain injuries can happen for many different reasons, and they may affect speech, language, feeding, and even result in dysphagia. For many SLPs, working with children who have a brain injury can feel overwhelming, especially if this is a new population for you.

In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, sits down with Hannah Patten, MSP, CCC-SLP, from the Mayo Clinic. Hannah shares the most common causes of pediatric brain injuries, current evidence-based approaches for evaluation and treatment, and practical interventions that can make a real difference.

You will leave with functional resources, new ideas, and the confidence to bring hope and support to these little ones and their families.

About the Guest(s): Hannah Patten is a speech-language pathologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, working in acute care and as part of the Aerodigestive Clinic. She is involved in research projects examining the relationship between oropharyngeal dysphagia and aspiration-related lung disease. She previously worked at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in inpatient rehabilitation and completed her clinical fellowship at the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. Her clinical interests include dysphagia across the lifespan, dysphagia evaluation and treatment in the ICU, pediatric and neonatal feeding and swallowing dysfunction, and tracheostomy and ventilator dependence.