Finding Your Voice: Advocacy and PFD in Schools with Mary Dooher - First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional SLP Insights

Explore the realities of addressing dysphagia and pediatric feeding disorder in schools.

Guest: Mary Dooher, MA, CCC-SLP,

Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD

Watch on YouTube

In this episode of the First Bite podcast, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, sits down with Mary P. Dooher, MA, CCC-SLP, a passionate school-based clinician and advocate from Alaska, for a heartfelt and energizing conversation about supporting students with feeding and swallowing needs in the school setting. Drawing from her journey across medical and educational environments, Mary shares how her work in pediatric feeding and swallowing evolved into systems-level advocacy within her district, state, and national organizations.

About the Guest: Mary P. Dooher, M.A., CCC-SLP, has been a school-based SLP in Wasilla, Alaska, for 15 years. She has experience in public schools, hospitals, SNFs, and home health settings. Mary is a strong advocate within her school district and the State of Alaska to increase awareness of/needs of students with dysphagia. She is an active member of her local union, MSEA, and the state association, NEA-Alaska.

Show Notes:

Feeding Matters PFD in Schools

Go Team Go! Interprofessional Practice for Pediatric Feeding in the Schools

ASHA Voices: Engaging With Teacher Unions and Education Associations in Schools