EP 243: How Thumb Sucking + Pacifiers are Ruining Your Kids Health, Mouth Breathing + Health Issues
Kate Kurzhal is a double graduate from Indiana University-Bloomington (Bachelors-2014; Masters-2018) - Go Hoosiers! with proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL). She has been a Speech-Language Pathologist in the Michiana area for 8 years and has owned/ operated Ripple Effect Pediatric Therapy (recently rebranded!) since 2022.
Her areas of expertise include: feeding therapy (especially picky eaters and ARFID), myofunctional therapy and airway-centric care in pediatrics. Kate derives much of her "why" as a therapist from her experiences in motherhood. As a soon to be Mom of four under 5, she knows each child truly is unique but also deserves strong advocacy for individualized whole child care.
She says,"Much of my passion to serve and support Michiana families is derived from my own recognition that it truly does "take a village" and I enjoy being part of the "villages" I serve."
When she's not advocating for healthier feeding, stronger habits, and clearer communication, you can find her down a rabbit hole of true crime (shoutout Crime Junkies!), at a 5 am workout, playing with her girls, cheering on The Irish or enjoying the hidden gem of South Bend - Taqueria Chicago (IYKYK).
WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:
What myofunctional therapy is, and why both kids and adults need an evaluation
Why lisps and "off" speech sounds can signal airway or oral function issue
How chronic mouth breathing affects sleep, behavior, focus, and overall healt
The connection between airway dysfunction and ADHD symptoms in childre
Pediatric airway red flags most pediatricians don't routinely screen fo
When to stop pacifier use and thumb sucking, and how it impacts jaw developmen
Why every child should have an airway evaluation by age si
What ARFID is (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and how it shows up in kid
The simple habit of nasal hygiene, including why blowing your nose daily matters
