Physical Therapists

Krysia Arkenau:
I enjoy working with children & parents to achieve the goals that are established by the child’s needs and those of the parents/family. I have been a PT since 1993.Three of my children have received services; thus, I’ve been a both a parent & provider of children with special needs. I’ve also received extensive training in a multisensory approach to learning; which I incorporate into therapy sessions. I have worked in a Developmental Preschool which specialized with children with special needs: Hydrocephalus, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Dev. Delay, Failure to Thrive, Premature Births, etc. I’m easy to reach by cell phone and I’m happy to adjust my schedule to accommodate parents if apts. need to be changed. I’m working on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I might be able to work other days if needed depending on my schedule and yours. I’m available by cell phone to discuss the needs of your child/family in order for your child to get the most out of their “First Steps” experience.

Sylvia Brothers:
I enjoy working with parents and their children to establish a treatment plan and goals that are important to them as a family. I try to engage the child in meaningful play while working to achieve the goals outlined with the family and IFSP. I am open to calls from parents while they are in the process of choosing providers and encourage participation in program implementation with parents for the greatest benefit to the child. I try to provide parents with activities that can be incorporated into their child’s play and daily routine. I provide services in First Steps on Mondays, Tuesdays and limited appts on Fridays.

Janet Easterly:
I graduated in 1972 from Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York and am licensed in New York State, Pennsylvania and Indiana. I have worked with patients ranging in age from infants to senior citizens in my 39 years of practice. I have experience in many service areas–homes, hospitals, clinics and schools. I can assist families in transitions from hospital discharge to school enrollment. I am the mother of an Attention Deficit Disorder child. I am also experienced in assisting mothers with breastfeeding. I have two children, both were assisted home births. I have experience with children having diagnoses of Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, mental retardation, motor delay, torticollis, muscular dystrophy, and other neurological and orthopedic conditions.

Carolyn Gum:
I am a mother of two; one a program graduate. I believe that each child is unique, with strengths inherent to them. From those strengths I begin to build to meet the family’s goals and to maximize function. I have extensive experience, education and training. I am certified as a Manual Therapist and trained in NDT, PNF and Sensory Integration. I truly enjoy working with medically fragile and complex children. I have experience with a multitude of diagnosis including, but not limited to: developmental delay, autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, JA, genetic syndromes, metabolic disorders, MD, torticollis/plagiocephaly, sensory integration dysfunction, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Erb’s Palsy, stroke, failure to thrive, infantile spasms, hypotonia, cardiac conditions, shaken baby syndrome and fetal alcohol syndrome. I have also worked with families following international adoption. Together we can make a difference for your child!

Megan Hazelrigg:
I graduated from Indiana University in 1998 and worked in outpatient and inpatient environments prior to becoming a mom.  Now that my children are reaching school ages, I am returning to work as a First Steps provider with personal experience in the system.  I am a mother of a 9 year old, 6 year old, and 4 1/2 year old (whom participated in the First Steps program for 2+ years).  I look forward to treating children with a variety of diagnoses.  My personal experience in First Steps was through my son’s developmental delay, low tone, and orthoepedic abnormalities.  I feel my physical therapy training, being a mother, and experiencing the First Steps program as child’s mother will allow me to treat your child with a complete picture of what your child and family is going through and how to meet your outcomes as effectively as possible. Please call me with any questions. I am currently working Mondays and Thursdays beginning my day at 1030 and ending my last session by 3:30.

JoAnna McGill:
I LOVE MY JOB!! I am a friendly, outgoing and caring person. I feel blessed to have a job where I can positively impact children and their families. As a mother of 3 small children myself, I realize the importance of family involvement during therapy sessions. I encourage an open atmosphere with parents where they can feel free to ask questions and provide their input and opinions. I work with children in a play like manner that is both fun and challenging. I have had training in NDT and sign language. I am also educated in assessing the need for orthotics. I am comfortable working with children with a wide range of diagnosis including but not limited to developmental delay, Down Syndrome, torticollis, autism, CP, hypotonia, hypertonia, prematurity, heart difficulties, and tuberous sclerosis. Please feel free to contact me with any questions!

Amy Pegg:
I am the mother of triplets who are presently in the First Steps system. I am experienced in handing medically fragile and complex children. I have experience treating children in a variety of settings-daycare, home, and clinic. I have worked with children with a variety of diagnoses including developmental delay, muscle tone issues, seizures, Down Syndrome, prematurity, orthopaedic conditions, spina bifida, and shaken baby syndrome, as well as international adoptions. I am available to see children in the mornings and weekends.

Amy Peterson:
I received most of my training while working for 10 years at Riley Hospital for Children. I have been working part-time in the First Steps program for the past 12 years. I have a great deal of experience working as a pediatric physical therapist. I have treated children with varying diagnoses–Prematurity, tone abnormalities, stroke, torticollis, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, metabolic disorders, developmental delay, orthopaedic abnormalities, spina bifida, neurological degeneration, and rheumatalogical disorders to name a few. I have also had specialized training to treat babies in the neonatal intensive care unit, and I am very comfortable working with premature babies. I am a mother of a 4 year old (who was in the First Steps program) and a 5 year old. I feel that being a mom has given me a new and more complete perspective of what families go through on a day to day basis. Please call me with any questions. I currently work Monday-Thursday.

Laura Ray:
I am comfortable working with children and families of all abilities and disabilities. I am excited to be working with children using an interdisciplinary approach in order to provide for all of the families needs. Diagnoses Skills: Autism, CP, Down Syndrome, Brain injury, Failure to thrive, hemiparesis, hearing loss, hydrocephalus, prematurity, seizures, Spina Bifida, Torticollis, Abnormal tone, cleft lip, ADHD, FAS, Developmental delay, Congenital Abnormalities. I also have worked in the Community North NICU, working mostly with premature infants. I am available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. I do not work on Tuesdays.

Nicole Schank:
Local availability: If you live in the Fortville/McCordsville/Fishers/Geist area, please always contact me to check on availability, as my local area availability is more flexible. About Me: I have a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Indiana University. I have enjoyed working in the First Steps program with kids with a variety of diagnosis. Some of them include: Down’s syndrome, hypotonia, hypertonia, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, prematurity, drug exposed infants, CHARGE, stroke, wolff heirshorn and autism. I have continued my training through NDT courses designed for a variety of diagnosis. I have the capability to be flexible in my treatment times when needed. I like to focus on the family’s goals and keep their needs/concerns first.

Janeth Valek:
I 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.