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In this episode of Say Yes to NMES, I sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Harvey, a pediatric physical therapist and movement analysis expert with more than 20 years of experience working with medically complex children and their families. Elizabeth shares how her path led her into oral motor therapy and how she now combines NMES with sensory taping strategies to make a lasting difference in the lives of her patients.

We talk about the idea that “sensory drives motor” and how something as simple as a small piece of tape can extend the benefits of NMES well beyond the treatment session. Elizabeth also shares powerful success stories, including how targeting both the core and the oral motor system helped one child move past toe walking, make progress with feeding, and even begin speaking new words.

I think you’ll come away inspired by her approach and reminded of how interdisciplinary collaboration—whether PT, OT, or SLP—can bring new tools and new hope for patients and families facing the toughest challenges.

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Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Say Yes to NMES"!

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of pediatric dysphagia and the incredible impact of NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) therapy on children's feeding challenges. Joining me today is Jane Moore, a veteran pediatric occupational therapist at Beach Kids Therapy Center, who has transformed the lives of countless children through her comprehensive feeding program.

Jane shares her heartwarming journey in the field, starting from her discovery of VitalStim therapy to her mission to bring hope and change to families of children with feeding disorders.

We explore a remarkable success story, a young baby born prematurely with multiple challenges, including Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and silent aspiration. Jane walks us through the therapeutic journey, from early interventions to the triumphant moment of seeing this child celebrate his first birthday with cake.

Discover the intricacies of using NMES therapy on tiny patients, breaking myths around the therapy's application on infants, and highlighting the unique communication challenges and successes when working with nonverbal patients. Jane passionately advocates for early intervention and holistic approaches, emphasizing the collaborative efforts of therapists, parents, and healthcare professionals in nurturing these children's holistic well-being.

Join us for an inspiring conversation that shines a light on NMES therapy's transformative power, bringing hope and healing to families facing the daunting challenges of pediatric dysphagia. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a parent, or simply curious about this life-changing therapy, this episode is a must-listen.

Tune in to "Say Yes to NMES" and be a part of this incredible journey of resilience, progress, and hope for children overcoming feeding obstacles.

https://www.beachkidstherapy.com/

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On this episode, I am joined by Nikki Howell. Nikki is an SLP currently at a small rural hospital but has worked in just about every patient setting. She talks about several of her patients - one with a more traditional dysphagia challenge and a unique one caused by oral aparaxia. In both, she talks about the benefit of VitalStim treatment in getting that extra buy in that is so critical in to the success of her treatments.

Nikki has also learned and investigated the cognitive impact or fall prevention and the role of the SLP in that process. Hear about what she has learned and how you can learn even more from her about it.