Developmental Therapists
Amanda “Nikki” Bleill: Having worked in the public school system for nine years, I have many years experience working with children with autism, Deaf/HI, challenging behaviors, sensory integration disorders, speech delays, and developmental delays. I have also been trained in using assistive technology. I have a BA degree in elementary education and in Deaf education as well as a Master’s degree in elementary education. Because of my position as a teacher, I am only available in the evenings or on the weekend. I incorporate all areas of development into my therapy sessions with emphasis on cognitive, social-emotional, and communication skills. My goal is to work closely with your family and child to provide the best learning environment possible. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!!
Erica Brooks: Having worked 9 years as an elementary special education teacher, I have experience working with a variety of developmental, social, emotional and communication challenges. I know how powerful early intervention is on children’s development and have experience working with families with various backgrounds and needs. As your therapist, my goal is to provide fun and interesting play-based activities to help your child meet his or her developmental goals. I have experience as an ABA autism behavior therapist working with children under 3. My IN teaching licenses: Early Childhood Special Education, Seriously Emotional Handicapped, Mild Disabilities, Severe Disabilities. I can accommodate late afternoon appointments and I look forward to working with your family.
Rachel Crowder: I have committed my professional career to educating children. As a public school teacher and developmental therapist, I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse population of students. I have enjoyed working with a variety of students, including students with special needs. I have experience and feel comfortable working with children with learning disabilities, developmental delays, speech delays, ADD, ADHA, ODD, mild mental disabilities, and Spanish speaking children. I am a mother of three and know that learning starts at home. I would love the opportunity to work with your child to ensure they have the best start. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Julie Earlewine: We all want the best for our children. Being a mother, I know that I long for the best for my child. As your developmental therapist, I will come into your home and provide a caring and beneficial experience for your child so that they can reach their needed goals and the goals you as the parent desire for them. My experience is strong in language delays and children with Autism. Due to these experiences with children, I am able to coordinate speech activities in with developmental activities. I have worked closely with various types of children including those with behavior disorders, Down Syndrome, ADD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and communication disorders. Whatever your child’s need, as your child’s First Step therapist I will be there to support him/her and you the parent by providing appropriate activities during our sessions. My schedule is flexible. I look forward to working with you as we strive to see your child grow and develop.
Dana Ferlaino: Hi my name is Dana Ferlaino, and I am a Developmental Therapist with First Steps. I have been working hands on with young children for 10 years. Previously I was a teacher in a special needs classroom, working with children with speech delays, as well as behavior, and physical challenges. I also specialize in multiples. I have been working with multiple birth children for several years and have come to understand so much about them. I am privileged to be able to help children learn and grow at such an important stage in their development. I recognize that all children are different and each has his/her own special way of learning and growing. I will help your child to grow and develop in a way that makes them feel comfortable and proud. I am dedicated to serving you and your child and I look forward to that opportunity.
Trisha Hunter: I am excited to work as a team to help nurture your child’s development! I have over 14 years of experience serving children and their families. As a mom of 3 boys, I understand that successful intervention encourages parental involvement while building on your child and family’s strengths. Our therapy sessions will include sensory and communication activities to help your child grow in all areas of development. My experience includes speech and language delays, sensory issues, cognitive delays, social issues, seizure disorders, motor delays, behavioral issues, autism and Down syndrome, among others. In addition to First Steps, I have experience as an ABA therapist (Applied Behavioral Analysis.) I’ve seen how effective early intervention has been with my own children and I enjoy giving that back to my clients. Feel free to contact me and also visit my personal website for additional information. www.teacherweb.com/IN/FirstSteps/Hunt.
Ximena Izquierdo: believe that the success of a good therapy is a positive and enthusiastic teaching technique. My experience and ability to communicate in 3 different languages allows me to work and help children with special needs from different backgrounds: Down Syndrome, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, deaf or hard of hearing, mild/moderate cognitive delay, Sensory Integration and Social- Emotional difficulties. I provide educational information to parents. Yo creo que el exito de una buena terapia esta en un metodo positivo y entusiasta. Mi experiencia y abilidad de comunicarme en tres idiomas me ha permitido trabajar con diferentes grupos sociales y poder ayudar a ninos que requieren cuidados especiales: Sindrome de Down, Autismo, Paralisis Cerebral, ninos sordos o con dificultad de escuchar, con retraso cognitivo y con dificultades sensoriales, sociales o emocionales. Proporciono informacion educativa para los padres.
Shelley Kunkel: I provide private developmental therapy sessions in a warm, safe, and friendly environment. I incorporate toys and play that will enhance all areas of development with emphasis on cognition, speech/language, sensory processing, and fine motor skills. I have extensive experience working with children that have: Autism, CVA, CP, Sensory Processing Disorders, Down Syndrome, Prematurity, Spina Bifida, ADD, ADHD, Apraxia, and other speech and language delays. As a classroom teacher for eight years, I have had many opportunities to help main stream speech delayed and even a few non-verbal children into preschool and other classrooms. I have taken extensive classes in speech, and sensory processing disorders. My schedule is flexible. I will work closely with your family, providing you with ideas and strategies to help your child in their overall development. I will individualize your child’s play/therapy sessions to fit their specific needs. I’d love to help you and your little one achieve your goals.
Melany Laws: To Parents considering me as their child’s DT: I have been working in the early childhood special education field since 1972. I have raised 7 children, one of whom was a special needs child. I have taught in both early intervention (0-3) and developmental preschool (3-5). I have also been the director of a child development center. I have been an IN First Steps provider for 15 years. I am familiar with childcare centers, preschools, and school district services within the zipcodes I serve. My areas of specialization include:Autism, PDD, Communication Delays, Cognitive Delays, Delays due to Prematurity, Behavior Problems ,Social Delays, Hearing Impairment. I have training and experience using Floortime, ABA, PECS and Behavior Modification Therapies. I am also a certified Ski-HI Parent Advisor for families with deaf/hard of hearing children. Please feel free to contact me before you make your decision. Recommendations from families I have worked with are available upon request.
Katie Majava – Hi, my name is Katie. I’m a military wife and mother to a 13-month old toddler! I have been working with First Steps for a little over a year and prior to that was a classroom teacher in the public schools for six years. In addition to teaching, I have also worked in other settings such as pre-school, daycare and nursery/bible classes at church. Throughout my many different experiences I have worked with children facing a number of developmental delays and disabilities. My goal is to develop an individualized program for your child that will incorporate fun, play-based activities that focus on appropriate skill building techniques. After each session I will leave an information sheet summarizing what was worked on that day. I strive to make each session hands-on and involving you as much as possible. I will do my best to help you and your family in any way I am able along this journey! I look forward to working with your child and family!
Jessica Shelton: To help a child be his/her best, I believe parents, caregivers, and therapists must work together. I have 6 years experience working with children in 1st and 2nd grade as a classroom teacher as well as 4 years working with First Steps families.I have worked with a variety of special needs including: behavioral problems, ADD, ADHD, autism, downs syndrome, emotional disabilities, speech and communication disorders, gross and fine motor problems, and developmental delays. I have a bilingual/bicultural endorsement. I work with many Spanish speaking families and families who speak English as a second language. I provide therapy in English or Spanish. I work with many children who have a communication delay and are not talking as they should. Trabajo con familias hispanos y provecho la terapia en espanol. Trabajo much con ninos que no esta hablando mucho y/o que tiene dificultades con su comportatmiento o abilidades de jugar apropriado por su edad. Quiero ayudar su nino y su familia.
Courtney Wimmer: As a former elementary teacher I worked with a variety of diagnoses. As a First Steps provider I have worked with children on the Autism spectrum. I have also worked with children with Downs Syndrome, Cerebal Palsey, prematurity and speech delays. I recently completed an Oral Placement Therapy for Speech Clarity and Feeding seminar so that I can better help children in this area. I also just completed the conference Teach Me To Talk. I know Baby Signs and am qualified to help you and your little one communicate better through signs if he is not yet verbal. I have twin nephews who were clients of First Steps, and am a mother to a 7,6 and 3 year old who I learn through everyday. My goal is to work together with your family to enhance your child’s development by designing a learning program that is individualized to his/her needs. I will leave an information sheet after each session to inform you on what your child and I worked on and I do quarterly reports as well informing you on your child’s progress.
LaShawna Young: As a mother of two and a teacher, I know the importance of early intervention. Not only do I have experience working as a first grade teacher, I also volunteer at a childcare ministry. It is my firm belief that the most important building blocks for all learning are established in the home. I have studied Spanish for twelve years and have taught ESL students in my classroom. I enjoy working with the whole family in English and/or Spanish to help the child meet their developmental goals. I have experience with children with developmental delays, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, mild mental handicaps, and autism. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Trisha Zastrow: I LOVE my job! I have experience woking with children with speech delays, autism, challenging behaviors, and sensory integration disorders to name a few. I have worked in the public school systems for four years and I am currently pursuing my Masters in Early Childhood Education. I use all areas of development into my therapy sessions with an emphasis on cognitive, social- emotional, and communication skills. I work closely with the family and or childcare providers to ensure the most positive and effective learning environment possible. I also find that co-treating and close communication among all therapists to be a crucial key in having a successful relationship and growth with the child.