Madi Metcalf, MS, CCC-SLP

Hi, I'm Madi!

I am a speech language pathologist in Bella Vista, AR. I am passionate about pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders and ensuring that every child has access to functional communication. I have taken over 100 hours of continuing education dedicated to better understanding pediatric feeding disorders (PFD) and provide comprehensive care - including the child's relationship to food, coordinating with the medical team, and support caregiver's as they navigate their child's PFD. Along with pursuing further education around PFDs, I have also pursued education about orofacial myofunctional disorders, myofunctional therapy, speech sound disorders, AAC, and gestalt language processing. My favorite part of being a speech pathologist is watching my patients meet their goals, see their family thrive, and the meaningful relationships I am able to build with the families I work with.

I live in Bella Vista with my husband, 2 dogs (Marshall and Arya), and 1 cat (Susan). I enjoy spending time outside hiking and kayaking during the summer. I also love to read, do puzzles, and crochet while cuddled up on the couch with my pups.

Continuing Education

I have taken over 100 hours of continuing education in the areas of feeding, swallowing, myofunctional therapy, avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder, speech sound disorders, and functional communication. I am the 3x recipient of ASHA's Award for Continuing Education. Some of the coursework I have taken include:

Talk Tools Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding and Oral Placement Therapy
Deborah Beckman's Oral Motor Protocol
Anxious Eaters, Anxious Meal Times Masterclass by The Get Permission Institute
From Basics to Habituation: Orofacial Myology
1-4 hour courses presented by:
- SpeechTherapyPD.com
- American Speech Language Hearing Association 2024 Annual Convention,
- 2024 American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing
- 2024 Feeding Matters Pediatric Feeding Disorder Conferences

Treatment Philosophy

There are many different ways to approach the treatment of pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders. Over the course of my studies, I have developed an approach that utilizes a blend of responsive feeding, neurodiversity affirming, child led, and interdisciplinary care to support my patient's in their feeding journey. My primary goal in feeding therapy is to help the child and family find peace around mealtimes, help caregivers understand their child's feeding disorder, and ensure the child feels safe and supported around food. In some cases, this means helping a child develop appropriate feeding skills to feel safe chewing and swallowing their food. With other children, it might be working towards finding familiarity and a natural curiosity around food that they might be interested in adding to their diet. Whichever goals your child might be working towards, respect, autonomy, and connection are the foundation of my treatment. While working with your child, I also work alongside the caregiver, because no body knows your child better than you! Together, we will come up with a plan to help your child eat in a way that will be nourishing to them.

Caregiver Collaboration

No one knows more about your child than you do. I believe that caregivers are an invaluable part of a child's treatment team and should be actively included to help guide the evaluation, create therapy goals that align with your own goals, and an active participant in the treatment process. I encourage parents to participate in therapy to help understand your child's strengths, find ways to give your child the support they need to grow, and give you tools to make your daily routines easier. I love for caregivers to walk out of therapy sessions feeling more confident in feeding their child, navigating diet recommendations, and communiciating more effectively with your child.

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