Maria Oakes, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Maria received her Master's of Science Degree from Nova Southeastern University in Speech-Language & Communication Disorders.
In addition to building her private practice at The Speech Square, LLC, Maria worked as an adjunct professor, supervising speech-language pathology graduate students at their university clinic. Maria also worked in both acute & sub-acute facilities, treating a variety of speech and swallowing disorders in adults and children. Prior to working in healthcare, Maria worked in education treating students in-persona and virtually in areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and play. Maria began her career as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) working with children having multiple disabilities and autism, creating and training students in the use of various low and high tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports.
As a Pediatric Feeding Therapist, Maria has helped hundreds of children and their families learn to chew, drink, and swallow. Maria also has extensive experience treating communication disorders impacting oral sensory motor function including speech sound development, articulation, and apraxia. In addition to specializing in oral sensory motor function impacting breathing, oral health, chewing/drinking, speaking and voice, Maria has experience working with individuals with language, literacy, pragmatics, and fluency challenges.
Maria is nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and recipient of the Award for Continuing Education (ACE) for years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, & 2022. She is licensed to practice Speech-Language Pathology in New Jersey and Massachusetts and holds a Speech-Language Specialist Certification through the NJ Board of Education.
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 and hiking with her husband and Bernese Mountain Dogs, bicycle riding, and curling up on the couch with a good book!
In addition to building her private practice at The Speech Square, LLC, Maria worked as an adjunct professor, supervising speech-language pathology graduate students at their university clinic. Maria also worked in both acute & sub-acute facilities, treating a variety of speech and swallowing disorders in adults and children. Prior to working in healthcare, Maria worked in education treating students in-persona and virtually in areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and play. Maria began her career as a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) working with children having multiple disabilities and autism, creating and training students in the use of various low and high tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) supports.
As a Pediatric Feeding Therapist, Maria has helped hundreds of children and their families learn to chew, drink, and swallow. Maria also has extensive experience treating communication disorders impacting oral sensory motor function including speech sound development, articulation, and apraxia. In addition to specializing in oral sensory motor function impacting breathing, oral health, chewing/drinking, speaking and voice, Maria has experience working with individuals with language, literacy, pragmatics, and fluency challenges.
Maria is nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and recipient of the Award for Continuing Education (ACE) for years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, & 2022. She is licensed to practice Speech-Language Pathology in New Jersey and Massachusetts and holds a Speech-Language Specialist Certification through the NJ Board of Education.
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 and hiking with her husband and Bernese Mountain Dogs, bicycle riding, and curling up on the couch with a good book!
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Danielle Oakes, MA, CCC-SLP
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