The Untethered Podcast

In this episode, Hallie talks to Jill Rabin, M.S., CCC-SLP/L, IBCLC. They discuss tethered oral tissues and feeding difficulties, focusing on children with special needs. Jill stresses the importance of collaboration between providers with different specialties and offers several tips for baby-led weaning and overcoming feeding challenges. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Eric Armakan, DDS. Dr. Armakan is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, laser trained, and the certified owner of Dentistry for Children of Northern Virginia. They discuss the symptoms of tethered oral tissues, the types of lasers Dr. Armakan uses, and how treatment varies depending on the child's age. They also talk about some of the challenges relating to research when it comes to educating pediatricians and other providers about tongue ties. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Melissa Ramkissoon, RN, BSN, IFS, and founder Help With Ties. Help With Ties is a organization serving families in south Florida. Melissa's mission is to help families understand what is going on with their babies and children who seem to be struggling with issues related to tethered oral tissues. She assists them through the process with no- or low-cost services to ensure the best outcomes for the child. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Scott Siegel, MD, DDS, FACS, FICS, FAAP, about evidence based research. They discuss Dr. Siegel's current research projects and the progress that has been made by pioneers in the TOTs realm. They also share ways in which providers can work to start research projects within their own practices. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks with her 4-year-old daughter Lily about her tongue-tie journey. Lily had her tongue-tie released when she was 2 years old and she has been wearing an ALF appliance since August of this year. Lily talks about how the ALF feels in her mouth and some of the new foods she now likes to eat and Hallie explains some of the changes – both expected and unexpected – that she's noticed since Lily started wearing the ALF. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Matthew J. Rowe, DDS, MSD. Dr. Rowe is a periodontist who specializes in tongue ties in both adults and children of all ages. He talks about his practice's team approach to treatment, the importance of pre- and post- op therapy, and various methods of frenectomy. He also shares helpful tips for parents and providers. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to feeding specialist and author Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP. They discuss Melanie's books and some of her tips and tricks for getting children to develop healthy eating habits. They also talk about the most stressful things about having a picky eater and what both parents and professionals can do to help. Here are links to Melanie's books: You are Not an Otter: The Story of How Kids Become Adventurous Eaters Paperback Raising a Healthy, Happy Eater: A Parent's Handbook: A Stage-by-Stage Guide to Setting Your Child on the Path to Adventurous Eating Paperback Adventures in Veggieland: Help Your Kids Learn to Love Vegetables―with 100 Easy Activities and Recipes Flexibound -------------------------------------- Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie continues her conversation with Michelle Emanuel, OTL/R. They talk more about optimal timing of tongue-tie release and new research about the relationship between apraxia and sleep apnea as it relates to tethered oral tissues. They also discuss how torticollis and tongue ties are related and what makes a good myo program. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Michelle Emanuel, OTR/L. Michelle specializes in working with pre-crawling babies affected by tethered oral tissues. They discuss tongue tie release timing with regard to symptoms and severity of cranial nerve dysfunction. Michelle also explains why she developed the Tummy Time Method and how it is helpful for both parents and their babies. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Dr. Chris Norton about the Myobrace system. Chris explains the various Myobrace appliances and how his practice uses a combination of Myobrace, Buteyko breathing exercises, and myofunctional therapy to treat patients. He compares Myobrace to ALF and other appliances and shares various patient success stories. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Ken Hooks, RRT, RPSGT. Ken is a registered respiratory therapist and the founder of True Sleep Diagnostics. He talks about the importance of sleep and the many ways in which lack of sleep can affect the body in both adults and children. He also explains how his method of looking at sleep study results differs from the norm and how important it is to look at the raw data instead of averages. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to James Ryan, DDS, MS. Dr. Ryan has been working with other providers on a research study to determine a standard for diagnosing and releasing tongue ties in infants aged 0-6 months. He and Hallie also discuss reattachment prevention and the importance of collaboration and communication between various providers dealing with tongue ties. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to MaryFrances Gonzalez, MA, CCC-SLP/COM about oral habits. They discuss various oral habits, nutritive vs. non-nutritive sucking, why children develop oral habits, the long-term effects of certain oral habits, and when/how to eliminate them. MaryFrances Gonzalez, MA CCC-SLP/COM, is an ASHA certified, Virginia licensed Speech Language Pathologist and IAOM Certified Orofacial Myologist. She is the owner and director of TeachSpeech LLC in Loudoun County, Virginia which specializes in early intervention speech and language disorders. This past year she opened a Thumbsucking Clinic, the first of it's kind in the United States, to help remediate prolonged oral habits in children and orofacial myofunctional disorders in teens and adults. Here are some of the recommended products discussed in this episode. Chewy Tubes Beckman Tri-Chew CHEWY TUBE COMBO 4 PACK ---------------------------------------- Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Dr. Monika Buerger, Exercise Physiologist and Doctor of Chiropractic. Dr. Buerger explains how tethered oral tissues and restrictions in the mouth affect the entire body. She and Hallie discuss the developmental windows of opportunity and the potential neurological challenges associated with TOTs. Get the show notes here.

This is the second half of Hallie's conversation with Diane Bahr, MS, CCC-SLP, CIMI. In this episode, Diane talks about feeding methods and when to introduce straws, cups, and spoons. They also discuss tongue function technology as it relates the IOPI and SmartPalate devices. Get Diane's books and some of the tools discussed in the episode here. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Diane Bahr, MS, CCC-SLP, CIMI. Diane is a certified speech language pathologist and infant massage instructor. They discuss the differences between breast and bottle feeding, the sucking reflex, tongue ties, and postural development. Get the show notes here.

This is part 2 of Hallie's interview with Robyn Merkel-Walsh, MA, CCC-SLP. In this episode, Hallie and Robyn continue their conversation about treating children with special needs and the importance of understanding what normal oral development looks like in order to identify the abnormal. They also discuss the ways in which clinicians with various specialties can collaborate and learn from each other to provide the best outcomes for their clients. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Robyn Merkel-Walsh, MA, CCC-SLP. Robyn Merkel-Walsh, M.A., CCC-SLP is a Licensed Speech Pathologist with over two decades of experience in the state of NJ. In addition to owning her own practice, she works full time for the Ridgefield Board of Education where she is housed in the Magnet School Program for children on the Autism Spectrum. She and Hallie discuss how therapists and clinicians can best treat patients with special needs and the additional training that is necessary when working with children who have sensory issues and other challenges. They also talk about the importance of pre-op therapy, especially when it comes to special needs patients. Get the show notes here.

In this episode Hallie talks to breathing specialist Tara Clancy, MA. After sustaining injuries in a car accident, Tara was referred to an osteopath who ultimately diagnosed her with airway issues that explained multiple ailments she dealt with throughout her childhood and adult life. She decided to make it her mission to help others suffering from similar symptoms. Tara is passionate about educating parents and other providers about the importance of preventing and treating airway and breathing issues. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Lisa Paladino, MS, RN, CNM, IBCLC. They discuss various breastfeeding issues related to tongue-tie as well as those that are not related to tongue-tie. Lisa also stresses the importance of a team approach to helping mothers reach their breastfeeding goals and what questions to ask when looking for a lactation consultant. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Danielle Blankenship, CRNA. Danielle has been a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for 15 years and put her medical background to use when her infant son was hospitalized for nearly 3 weeks. He had severe feeding and breathing issues that turned out to be the result of a tongue-tie that was not properly released shortly after he was born. Danielle hopes her story and what she learned throughout her experience with her son will help providers and other parents. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie continues her conversation with Leah Mason Virgin, RN, IBCLC, FCN. They address many common issues when it comes to lactation help and tongue-tie assessments and the importance of understanding that many pediatricians, lactation consultants, and WIC counselors do not know enough about tongue-ties. They also talk about the important questions providers and parents should ask when looking to work with a lactation consultant. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Leah Mason Virgin, RN, IBCLC, FCN. Leah is a passionate advanced practice lactation consultant. She has extensive experience working in private practice and in hospitals. Her goal is to further breastfeeding success for all mothers and babies, increase breastfeeding knowledge among health care workers, and add to the lactation body of knowledge. She and Hallie discuss the importance of working with lactation consultants who know about and understand tongue-ties. They also discuss the various symptoms of tongue-tie in infants and how compensation for tongue-tie issues should never be a reason to forego treatment. Get the show notes here.

In this episode, Hallie answers questions from listeners in various Facebook groups. Topics include symptoms, speech, stitches/sutures, and healing time. Get the show notes here.

In this episode Hallie talks to Dr. Jennifer Tipograph, DDS. Dr. Tipograph is a holistic dentist in Rockville, Maryland. She explains what holistic dentistry is compared to traditional dentistry. They also discuss the difference between ALF and DNA expansion appliances, airway issues as they relate to dentistry, and why in many cases early palate expansion is beneficial to young patients. Get the show notes here.

In this episode Hallie talks to Cheryl Shafer, RDH, MS, COM. Cheryl spent 30 years as a dental hygienist before becoming an orofacial myologist. She shares her son's experience with speech issues and how having his tongue-tie released while he was in high school completely changed his life. Cheryl also discusses some of the amazing outcomes she's seen with her patients and the importance of dentists looking at the whole oral cavity, not just decay of the teeth. Get the show notes here.

In this episode Hallie talks about why pre-op frenectomy therapy is non-negotiable. She shares what clients can expect at pre-op appointments and the many benefits of pre-op therapy. Get the show notes here.

Autumn R. Henning, MS, CCC-SLP, is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). She has completed specialty continuing education including Beckman Oral Motor, Vital Stim, and Foundations in Myofascial Release for Neck, Voice, and Swallowing as well more than a dozen professional courses on pediatric feeding and related topics. She is the founder of Chrysalis Feeding, LLC, a continuing education company. Autumn and Hallie discuss tongue-tie symptoms and assessments, diagnosis, treatment timelines, criteria for referrals, creating a treatment team of other specialists, and the importance of after-care and post-release therapy. Get the show notes here.

Hallie's journey into the Myo, TOTs, and Airway space started as a personal one. Her daughter Lily was considered “failure to thrive” at just a few days old and she struggled with nursing, sleep, and other issues. Once Hallie learned that many of her daughter's difficulties were caused by a tongue-tie, she jumped full-throttle into learning everything she could about them and decided to shift the focus of her practice to helping others dealing with similar issues.

In this episode, Hallie talks to Richard Baxter, DMD, MS, author of “Tongue-Tied: How a Tiny String Under the Tongue Impacts Nursing, Speech, Feeding, and More”. Dr. Baxter discusses his dentistry background and how his family's experiences with tongue-ties led him to establish the Alabama Tongue-Tie Center. Hallie and Dr. Baxter explore common indicators of tongue-tie in children and adults, how tongue-ties could be related to ADD/ADHD, and some of the incredible results he is seeing with his patients once their tongue-ties are released. Get the show notes here.

Meet your host, Hallie Bulkin, a Certified Orofacial Myologist, Speech Language Pathologist, and Feeding Specialist. In this first episode, Hallie shares her background and experience with Myo, TOTs, and Airway issues – both personally and professionally – and explains how this podcast came to be.