When a baby suffers from persistent crying, gas, or feeding struggles, parents are routinely told that "colic" is just something infants outgrow. But true clinical care recognizes that colic is not a final diagnosis—it is a clear physiological cry for help pointing to underlying mechanical tension, airway compromise, or feeding dysfunction.
In this episode, Hallie Bulkin sits down with Kate Kurzhal, M.A., CCC-SLP, owner of Ripple Effect Pediatric Therapy and mom of four. Kate shares her personal journey through the emotional toll and exhaustion of early motherhood, which sparked her transition into specialized feeding, myofunctional therapy, and pediatric airway care.
Kate Kurzhal, M.A., CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist with eight years of pediatric experience and the owner/operator of Ripple Effect Pediatric Therapy in South Bend, Indiana. A double graduate of Indiana University-Bloomington with proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL), Kate specializes in pediatric feeding therapy (supporting picky eaters and ARFID), myofunctional therapy, and airway-centric care.
"Colic is a symptom, not a diagnosis—it's a physiological sign that something in the child's system needs attention."
"Early physical and physiological intervention can completely change the developmental trajectory of a child."
Seeing It vs. Understanding It: The Gap in Myo Training
Mouth Breathing vs. Nasal Breathing: Changing Lives Through Early Airway Intervention
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If Kate's journey with root-cause analysis, retiring "wait and see," and private pay advocacy resonated with you, please take a quick moment to leave a review! Your support helps us share these vital clinical conversations with parents and providers everywhere.
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