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Trauma-sensitive care and interprofessional collaboration to better support children and families.
Guest: Lauren Thompson, MEd, CCC-SLP, CLC, and Allissa Younan, MS, OTR/L
Earn 0.10 ASHA CEUs for this episode with Speech Therapy PD
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In this episode of First Bite, Michelle Dawson, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, BCS-S, FNAP, is joined by Lauren Thompson, MEd, CCC-SLP, CLC, and Allissa Younan, MS, OTR/L, to discuss how combining clinical perspectives can strengthen care for children with feeding challenges, sensory differences, nervous system dysregulation, and other complex needs. They consider what may be behind a child’s apparent refusal, shifting the focus from a child who “won’t” participate to one who may not yet feel safe, regulated, or supported enough to engage.
About the Guests: Lauren Thompson, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, CLC, is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Certified Lactation Counselor, and the owner of Well Fed Feeding & Swallowing Therapy in Londonderry, New Hampshire. Since 2012, she has supported infants and children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder, dysphagia, lactation challenges, ARFID, and feeding-related trauma across inpatient rehabilitation, hospital-based outpatient care, Level II and III NICUs, and public schools.
Allissa Younan, MS, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist, TBRI practitioner, and owner of Holistic Abilities where she is passionate about helping children and families thrive through evidence-informed, relationship-based care. She specializes in sensory processing, feeding, and supporting children to make gains in their everyday life.
Contact the Guests:
- Lauren Thompson on LinkedIn
- Lauren’s Website: www.wellfedfeedingtherapy.com
- Allissa Younan on LinkedIn
Show Notes:
- Feeding Matters
- Trauma-sensitive Definition
- Trust‑Based Relational Intervention
- Dr. Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain
- The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
- Pediatric Feeding Disorder Consensus Definition and Conceptual Framework
- AB-SSD 2026 Summer Webinar Series - Pediatric
- Empowering Providers Through Transforming Pediatric Feeding Journeys Courses:
- Trust-based relational intervention (TBRI): A systemic approach to complex developmental trauma
- Love Money Cause: www.feedingmatters.org
References:
- Hockey, R., Philpott-Robinson, K., Haracz, K., & Ray, K. (2025). Trauma-informed or sensory-based practices in preschool settings: A scoping review. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 72(3), e70027. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.70027
- Purvis, K. B., Cross, D. R., Dansereau, D. F., & Parris, S. R. (2013). Trust-based relational intervention (TBRI): A systemic approach to complex developmental trauma. Child & Youth Services, 34(4), 360–386. https://doi.org/10.1080/0145935X.2013.859906
- Smith, M. L. (2021). The connected therapist: Relating through the senses. Marti Smith Seminars.
- Williams, M. S., & Shellenberger, S. (1994). How does your engine run? TherapyWorks.
