In this episode of The Untethered Podcast, Hallie Bulkin reveals why a truly effective pediatric feeding evaluation starts long before the child walks into the room. She shares how well-designed intake forms with targeted, specific questions unlock critical insights into a child’s feeding behaviors and highlight red flags that might otherwise be missed.
Hallie breaks down three powerful screening questions every clinician should ask to uncover posture issues, meal time length concerns, and unusual sounds during eating. These clues often point to deeper challenges with swallowing, breathing, or oral motor skills. By weaving together red flags, sensory considerations, and feeding strategies, she demonstrates how a holistic lens transforms evaluations and sets the stage for more successful therapy.
If this episode resonates with you, snap a screenshot of you listening and share it on your Instagram Stories! Tag Hallie @halliebulkin to spread the word.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✔️ Why the best feeding evaluations actually start before the child arrives, using detailed intake forms.
✔️ Three simple questions that uncover posture problems, long meal times, and noisy eating — all key red flags.
✔️ How hip alignment connects to oral motor function (“What we see on the hips, we see on the lips”).
✔️ Why feeding challenges rarely exist in isolation and are often tied to sensory and developmental factors.
✔️ How to spot red flags and conduct an effective screening even without watching a child eat.
✔️ How to join Hallie’s free 3-day live training for deeper, practical evaluation tools.
Related Episodes:
- Episode 319: Elevate Your Practice with the Pediatric Feeding Hub, Hallie Bulkin, MA CCC-SLP, CMT®, CPFT™
- Ep 309: 5 Airway Health Tips for Children with Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, CMT
✨ FREE TRAINING ALERT – HAPPENING SEPTEMBER 8–10!
If you’re an SLP, OT, or student… you need to join me for the FREE 3-Day Pediatric Feeding Screening Training. Over 34,000 of your colleagues have done it — now it’s your turn!
Here’s what you’ll get when you sign up:
- 4 hours on a certificate of completion (perfect for your renewal hours)
- My complete pediatric feeding screening packet — development chart, 50-symptom checklist, findings chart & referral form
- A chance to win one of FOUR full scholarships to the 12-week Feed The Peds® course
Grab your spot here → www.feedthepeds.com/training
OTHER WAYS TO CONNECT & LEARN
- 📅 Doors to Feed The Peds® open Sept 15–18 | join the waitlist
- 🍼 Ready to deep-dive into tethered oral tissues? Check out Tongue Tie Bootcamp
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