Martha
Blaess,
MA, CCC-SLP
PhD Candidate, Speech-Language Pathologist
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Department of Nutritional Sciences
Martha Blaess is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is mentored by Dr. Kathrin Eliot and Dr. Allen Knehans. Martha is a licensed and practicing speech-language pathologist in Oklahoma City and specializes in treatment of feeding disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder. Martha anticipates graduating with her PhD in Allied Health Sciences with a Specialization in Nutritional Sciences in August 2022 and will be a dually credentialed speech pathologist and registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in nutrition and feeding related to autism spectrum disorder.
Presenting at the Nexus Summit:
An estimated 46-89% of children with autism present with pediatric feeding disorder, characterized by selective eating, which negatively impacts their nutrition and health. Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) and speech-language pathologists (SLP) serve as key interprofessional team members to improve patient outcomes in this population. A lack of literature exists regarding the complementary roles of RDNs and SLPs specifically related to pediatric feeding disorders in the pediatric population with autism spectrum disorder. This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study aimed to explore…