About

Catherine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catherine S. Shaker MS/CCC-SLP, BCS-S is a Neonatal/Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist in Orlando, FL with advanced training in clinical/ instrumental assessment and treatment of swallowing and feeding. With more than 45 years’ experience, Ms. Shaker is nationally recognized as an expert in swallowing/feeding across the continuum of pediatric settings, including neonates, medically fragile infants, and children through school age, most recently with Advent Health for Children. She is an ASHA Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, one of the unique group of speech-language pathologists nationally who have earned this designation. Ms. Shaker has been an integral part of large Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Units for over 38 years and is known for her work on Cue-Based Feeding approaches in the NICU. She was a recipient of the National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT) Pioneer Award in 2015. Parents in the NICU often call her “The Preemie Whisperer”. Ms. Shaker has published several manuscripts on NICU intervention and co-authored The Early Feeding Skills Assessment Tool for NICU Infants with Suzanne Thoyre, PhD, RN of Chapel Hill. She has provided Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies for infants and children, and is certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT), Vital Stim and SOS (The Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding). Ms. Shaker lectures across the US & internationally to physicians, nurses and therapists.

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