When a child presents with complex speech or feeding challenges, it’s easy to focus solely on the surface-level behaviors. But true, long-lasting transformation happens when we dig deeper to look inside the mouth and assess the underlying muscle function.
In this episode, Hallie sits down with Galina Kislin, a pediatric speech-language pathologist and myofunctional therapist, to discuss her clinical journey and the shift that led her to prioritize root-cause assessments. Galina shares her experiences transitioning from Early Intervention into private practice, highlighting how a myofunctional approach became the “missing piece” for her stalled feeding and speech cases.
Together, Hallie and Galina dive into the critical importance of looking at a child from the bottom up, executing thorough oral-motor exams, and building local interdisciplinary care teams. Galina also shares actionable, naturalistic strategies to help families integrate therapy seamlessly into their daily routines without feeling overwhelmed.
About the Guest: Galina Kislin, M.A., CCC-SLP, CMT®
Galina Kislin is a bilingual (Russian/English) speech-language pathologist and Certified Orofacial Myologist (CMT®) with 28 years of rich clinical experience. Her journey began in Early Intervention, where an early exposure to oral-motor therapy ignited her lifelong passion for pediatric feeding. Over nearly three decades, Galina has served children across preschools, elementary schools, and multidisciplinary outpatient clinics.
Key Topics & Takeaways
The Missing Piece:
The Root Cause Approach:
Interdisciplinary Collaboration:
Soundbites
“Why has nobody else looked in the mouth? We cannot treat what we don’t thoroughly assess.”
“We need to look at everything from the bottom up. Understanding the underlying root causes completely changes your clinical outcomes.”
“Therapy shouldn’t feel like an extra burden for parents. When we integrate functional, naturalistic strategies into daily life, families feel truly empowered.”
Timestamps
01:01 – Galina’s Journey: From Early Intervention into Myofunctional Therapy
03:10 – Facing Structural Hurdles and Stalled Feeding Challenges in EI
04:46 – The Missing Piece: Embracing a Myofunctional Lens & Finding the Root Cause
09:40 – Intentional Parent Education and Functional, Hour-Long Sessions
10:58 – Crafting Naturalistic Home Strategies That Blend Into Daily Routines
14:03 – Navigating the Real-World Limitations and Rules of Early Intervention
16:33 – The Vital Importance of Thorough Oral Motor Exams Over Assumptions
24:22 – Boutique Service: Guiding Families Through the Treatment Process with Empathy
27:42 – The Clinical Value of True Root Cause Tracking (The Middle School “R” Case)
30:11 – Unpacking a Case: Speech, Feeding, and Myo Evaluation Integration
33:22 – Unlocking Speech Clarity and Intelligibility Without Traditional Targeting
37:58 – Private Practice Growth Mindset, Autonomy, and Overcoming Limitations
40:37 – Final Thoughts, Where to Connect with Galina, and Closing Resource
Links & Resources
Connect with Galina: Explore her courses and resources at Love the 2 Communicate and follow her updates on Instagram.
Clinical Assessment Tool: Easily screen for muscle patterns and oral dysfunction at FastMyoScreening.com.
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- EP 343: Inside a Mission-Driven Pediatric Feeding Practice
- Episode 145: The Missing Link In Your SLP & OT Screenings with Hallie Bulkin, MA, CCC-SLP, COM