F. Marie Coakley is a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist and Registered Yoga Teacher who operates her private practice out of Special Therapies, Inc. Marie has over 25 years of experience providing speech-language therapy services to a varied client population. Her background is in the general and pediatric hospital settings. Marie’s area of expertise include in depth diagnostic evaluation and provision of specialized therapy services to children exhibiting sensory processing disorders and severe communication challenges. Marie has extensive expertise and success working with individuals exhibiting:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech
• Cognitive and Learning Disabilities
• Down Syndrome
• Hearing Impairment
• Auditory Processing Disorders
• Articulation & Phonological Disorders
• Tongue Thrust & Feeding Difficulties

Marie has had great success in using sign language to facilitate development of speech production and verbal language in children of all ages. She provides a family centered approach focused on parent participation in therapy sessions whenever feasible. She also provides consultation to school programs and in-home autism therapy programs upon request. Working out of Special Therapies, Inc. allows her access to varied sensory motor equipment in a fun, playful environment. She often incorporates movement activities in to treatment sessions for children requiring this type of input to facilitate their attention and learning. Marie also offers community based social groups for adolescents designed to facilitate development of pragmatic communication skills in a positive, supportive setting.

In 2009, she became a registered Yoga Teacher through FYB (Feel Your Best Yoga Teacher Training School) in Mequon, WI. She now provides Yoga-based pediatric therapy sessions as well as adult classes for the general population. Therapy classes are designed to improve self regulation, relaxation, strength, balance, coordination, speech-language, and social interaction skills. Teaching Yoga to children has been an avenue which facilitates learning in a fun, playful and relaxing venue where they are able to learn valuable life lessons including self respect and respect for others, and the world we live in.