Hallie Bulkin argues that speech-language pathologists should screen all children for feeding problems, not just speech issues. Many kids with speech concerns also have unmet feeding needs that go unnoticed without asking. Screening takes minutes and flags whether a child needs a full assessment or referral, while practices should build capacity to handle feeding care rather than constantly referring families out.
Now let's talk about why feeding belongs in this discussion beyond the claim itself, okay? A child can come to your practice for speech and also have a feeding need, right? And if nobody asks about eating, you know, or mealtimes or whatever, like you may never identify it. If you do identify it, the next step might be a feeding evaluation with someone on your team or a referral to another provider, but screening helps us determine that next step, okay? And again, just remember screening never replaces assessment. Little, little side note there. I do want more clinicians prepared to recognize those concerns and more practices prepared to provide the care when appropriate. And it makes sense to look at whether you're repeatedly sending families elsewhere for a service that maybe your team could develop the skills to offer. Hello? Ding, ding, ding. Little light bulb moment for anybody? The reason to build that skill is the patient need. Okay? Understanding the coding helps you plan how to deliver the service sustainably. But those 2 conversations belong together. We don't need to be uncomfortable talking about payment when Payment is part of keeping care available and super important, right?
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