Melissa Silva

Melissa Silva is a bilingual (Portuguese/English) Speech-Language Pathologist. Melissa has been a member of Speech & Hearing Associates since 2015.

She received her Master of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Seton Hall University.  Her Bachelor of Science Degree, also from Seton Hall University, was awarded with a triple major in Special Education, Elementary Education, and Early Childhood. Melissa minored in Social Behavior Science with a concentration in Social Work/Gerontology. She completed her +30 Masters certification in multicultural education and inclusive classroom teaching through La Verne University.

Melissa is fluent in Portuguese and conversational in Spanish. She has conducted bilingual Portuguese evaluations/ treatment and has translated meetings in both Portuguese and Spanish. She is the Vice Chair of the New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NJSHA) Multicultural Issues Committee.

Melissa has experience working with clients with a variety of communication disorders, ranging in age from infant to adult. This includes working in a public school district as a Speech Therapist for students in Pre-school through High School with communication impairments, cognitive impairments, autism, auditory processing disorders, articulation, fluency and pragmatic disorders.  She has also done Early Intervention providing in home therapy for infants and toddlers with language disorders and delays. Melissa is an adjunct faculty member at Seton Hall University, educating graduate students on her experience with bilingual therapy and evaluations.

Melissa runs social communication skills groups at Speech & Hearing Associates. She conducts age appropriate group sessions for children in various age groups following a social skills curriculum she developed.

Melissa holds a NJ state licensure as a Speech Language Pathologist and the Certificate of Clinical Competence through the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. She also holds the Speech Language Specialist certification from the New Jersey Department of Education and is certified as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities, Elementary School Teacher for Grades K-5 and Teacher of Preschool through Grade 3. Melissa has Level 1 Training in PROMPT and in PECS.

Melissa has repeatedly been named as New Jersey Kids’ Favorite Doc. She was awarded the New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2019 Distinguished Clinical Achievement Award for providing exemplary service to patients and families and recognized as an expert in the field.