John Burke, MA, CCC-SLP
Experienced Speech-Language Pathologist & Advocate
John Burke is a speech-language pathologist with more than 28 years of clinical experience helping children and adults with communication, language, and swallowing challenges. His career spans early intervention, rehabilitation, assistive technology, and family-centered care across the lifespan.
He is an ASHA Life Member and the founder of SpeechTherapy.org, an educational resource created to make speech therapy easier to understand and more accessible for families, caregivers, and adults seeking reliable information.
Professional Background
John worked for nearly three decades as a licensed speech-language pathologist in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, home health, early intervention programs, and community-based services. His work consistently emphasized collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, including occupational therapists, physical therapists, physicians, educators, psychologists, and social workers.
During the final decade of his clinical career, John focused primarily on early intervention, providing services to children from birth to age three and their families. This experience reinforced the importance of early, individualized support and caregiver involvement in long-term communication outcomes.
Education & Credentials
- Master of Arts in Communication Science, Montclair State University
- Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy, Fordham University
- K–12 Education Certification
- ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)
- ASHA Life Member
Clinical Areas of Focus
Throughout his career, John supported individuals with a wide range of communication needs, including articulation and speech sound disorders, language disorders, feeding and swallowing disorders, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
His work addressed both developmental and acquired communication challenges, with an emphasis on functional, real-world communication.
Populations Served
John worked with individuals across the lifespan, including those receiving early intervention, children with autism, and adults recovering from stroke and brain injury. This life-span perspective shaped his understanding of how communication needs change over time and how therapy must adapt accordingly.
Innovation & Leadership
John was an early advocate for integrating technology into speech therapy and rehabilitation. Drawing on his background in computer programming, he helped develop and adapt early computer-based communication tools for individuals with limited or no speech.
He later served as Director of New Jersey’s first Computer-Assisted Rehabilitation Department, where he worked to integrate emerging technologies into therapy, recreation, and communication programs. These efforts expanded access to communication for individuals with significant speech and physical challenges.
Read Mary’s Story to see how augmentative communication supported meaningful connection and independence.
Philosophy of Care
Effective speech therapy begins with listening. Every individual brings unique strengths, challenges, and experiences to therapy. John’s approach has always emphasized personalized care—adapting strategies to the individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model.
Whether supporting a child learning early communication skills or an adult rebuilding speech after injury, meaningful progress comes from understanding the whole person and their environment.
About SpeechTherapy.org
SpeechTherapy.org was created as a trusted educational resource for clear, practical information about speech, language, and communication. The site reflects decades of clinical experience and a commitment to helping individuals and families make informed decisions about speech therapy services and supports.
Get in Touch
For questions about speech therapy topics or the information on this site, please visit the Contact page.