Our philosophy as feeding specialists * speech-language pathologists is to provide ethical, evidenced-based therapy, in a warm and caring environment. We include all areas of development when assessing our patient's needs, offering a holistic approach to therapy.
Our Therapists
Maria Oakes, MS, CCC-SLP Speech-Language Pathologist
Maria has helped many children in their development of feeding, speech, and language skills for more than 17 years. Beginning The Speech Square, LLC in 2014, Maria's experiences include working in hospitals, rehab centers, schools and universities.
Maria is trained in the SOS Approach to Feeding, a transdisciplinary program for assessing and managing children with feeding and weight or growth difficulties; incorporating perceptual, motor, oral, learning, medical, and nutritional factors into therapy. Maria is a Certified Buteyko Breathing Instructor (CertBBM); a program developed to help people breathe more efficiently. She is also trained in DIR Floortime where therapy focuses on targeting Developmental skills and abilities, learning how Individuals perceive & interact with their world, and building Relationships with others; Beckman Oral Motor Assessment & Intervention; Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) where therapy focuses on motor activities to improve speech & feeding development; and PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets) where therapy focuses on integrating the physical aspects of motor performance on speech development and language interaction. In addition to being an SLP, Maria is a wife, mother of 5, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend. When she's not "speeching," Maria enjoys camping, hiking, and beach walks with her husband and Bernese Mountain Dogs, Jainie & Jack!