Why Feeding Therapy Needs a Whole-Body Lens

In this episode, Hallie Bulkin speaks with Dr. Alyssa Welch, PT, DPT about the vital role of interprofessional collaboration in achieving optimal patient outcomes, particularly for speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Dr. Alyssa Welch, PT, DPT emphasizes that working alongside occupational therapists (OTs), physical therapists (PTs), dentists, and other specialists is not just beneficial—it is now a core competency in modern healthcare.

Dr. Alyssa Welch, PT, DPT and Hallie discuss the necessity of recognizing the limits of your own expertise and knowing when to make a referral. Collaboration ensures a whole-person therapeutic approach and prevents the professional burnout that comes from trying to “fix everything” in isolation. They cover key areas where SLPs and other therapists must coordinate care, such as feeding mechanics, positioning for speech, and addressing core stability and motor skills.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

️ Interprofessional collaboration is essential for SLPs, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced medical errors.
Collaboration often involves partnering with Occupational Therapists (OTs) for fine motor skills, positioning, and feeding mechanics, and Physical Therapists (PTs) for gross motor skills, body positioning, and trunk control.
Collaboration shifts the focus from checking off individual treatment boxes to a patient-centered approach that meets the family’s actual needs.
Poor communication is responsible for an estimated 70-80% of serious medical errors; collaboration significantly reduces this risk.
Recognizing the limits of your own scope and knowing when to refer is crucial for long-term career sustainability and preventing professional burnout.
Clinical collaboration can take many forms, including email consultations, case conferences, co-treatment sessions, and shared documentation.