Michelle L.W. Dawson, MS CCC-SLP, CLC

Michelle L. W. Dawson, MS CCC-SLP, CLC has had the pleasure of residing in Columbia, SC since 2012.  She completed her BS in Speech Language Pathology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA in 2005, and her MS in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from James Madison University in 2009.  She graduated Magna Cum Laude from both universities.  She started her career in 2006 as an SLPA in a rural public school with an average caseload of 56 students. Upon completion of her MS, she went to work for Riverside Walter Reed Hospital where she was the first full-time SLP in the hospital’s history.  At this location, she advocated for implementation of an oral care protocol, establishment of ST involvement/treatment of oncology patients with the “Tumor Board”, as well as advocacy for establishment of MBSS capabilities at the facility.
In January 2012, she and her husband were called to SC. Since that time, she has primarily worked as an Early Intervention/Home Health Speech Language Pathologist, specializing in the treatment of medically fragile and complex etiology cases. Over the last few years she has received several ASHA ACE Awards, been blessed to have trained numerous USC Graduate Speech-Language Pathology Clinicians and mentored countless other students across the southeast, and recently in March of 2019 she became a Certified Lactation Consultant, in order to treat her younger patients more holistically.
Michelle was raised that if one wishes to see change in the world, then they should be the source of that change.  As such, she began seeking positive change in SC through her volunteerism efforts with the SC Speech Language and Hearing Association.  She has previously served SCSHA in the roles of VP of Governmental Affairs (2015-2017), President Elect-Elect (2016), SCSHA Convention Co-Chair for 2016 and 2017, SCSHA President Elect (2017), SCSHA Convention Chair (2017), SCSHA President (2018), Immediate Past President (2019), and Past President (2020+).  

Michelle’s dedication to the field, advocacy, and eager-to-learn spirit were recognized by ASHA, when she was 1 of 30 applicants from across the nation accepted into the 2016-2017 Leadership Cohort, where she worked to hone her craft as a leader. Michelle has also served also as the Treasurer for the Council of State Association Presidents (CSAP) 2018-2020. This opportunity has allowed Michelle the privilege of working with other volunteer leaders from State Associations and ASHA to collaborate and effect change for current challenges facing the fields of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology.  In 2019, Michelle was named Southeastern Co-Lead of Community Ambassadors for Feeding Matters, which is an International Non-Profit made up of Advocates, Educators, Researchers, and Policy Influencers that takes works to unite families and allied healthcare professionals to improve the system of care for pediatric feeding disorders across the globe.
Michelle is an accomplished lecturer and has written and given numerous ASHA and AOTA approved CEU lectures on such topics as Infantile Spasm and Oropharyngeal Dysphagia, Best Practices for Early Intervention, Chasing the Pediatric Swallow, Down Syndrome and Pediatric Dysphagia, and Best Practices for the Medically Complex Infant, Toddler, and Child, across the nation.   Michelle has several webinars with SpeechTherapyPD.com, all of which are available for CEUs. Michelle also hosts an acclaimed weekly PodCourse “First Bite: Fed, Fun, Functional”, (eligible for ASHA and AOTA CEUs), that addresses best practices for the Pediatric Clinician in Early Intervention and Home Health and can be found on all major Podcasting hosts.
Recent Accolades: