Licia Paskay

Licia Coceani Paskay was a distinguished and beloved figure in the fields of speech‑language pathology and orofacial myofunctional therapy. A licensed Speech‑Language Pathologist in California, her career was marked by an unwavering commitment to evidence‑based practice and lifelong learning.

Her journey began in the 1990s as a dental hygienist in Italy, where her inquisitive spirit led her to question established practices with queries like, “Who said so? Where is the information coming from?”—a curiosity that shaped her lifelong dedication to scientific rigor and clinical excellence.

Licia earned her degree in Speech Therapy from Padua University (Italy), a BA in Gerontology from Antioch University in Los Angeles, and a Master’s in Communication Disorders and Sciences from California State University, Northridge.

Professionally, Licia treated patients across all ages, addressing orofacial myofunctional disorders, dysphagia, and cognitive conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s . She co‑developed CogniFitness, an award‑winning cognitive stimulation program for people with Multiple Sclerosis, in partnership with the National MS Society’s Southern California chapter.

Licia’s contributions to the field were vast and varied—she authored and co‑authored dozens of scholarly articles (with at least 28 publications to her credit) and co‑edited influential textbooks, including New Trends in Myofunctional Therapy, and Food, Eating & Nutrition.

She held leadership roles as a board member of the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (AOMT) and served as President of the Academy of Applied Myofunctional Sciences (AAMS). As a national and international lecturer, she shared her passion through conferences, workshops, webinars, and written articles.

Beyond her professional achievements, Licia was celebrated for her warmth and generosity—opening her home to friends, colleagues, and students in both California and Italy, and nurturing deep personal connections grounded in curiosity and kindness.

Her legacy is one of scholarly excellence, mentoring, and community building. Licia’s generosity of spirit and love of life touched countless individuals. Though she has passed, her influence endures in the hearts and minds of the myofunctional community she helped shape.