Executive Director – Occupational Therapist

I really enjoy seeing the growth within our children and families each year, but it is also incredible to see the growth and transformation within our therapists as they thrive in our supportive, nurturing and collaborative environment.

Specializations/Interests:

• Sensory Integration (SIPT) Certified
• Early Intervention Specialist
• DIR/Floortime
• The Intentional Relationship Model
• Leadership and Management

Clinic Director – Speech Language Pathologist

I really enjoy seeing the growth within our children and families each year, but it is also incredible to see the growth and transformation within our therapists as they thrive in our supportive, nurturing and collaborative environment.

Specializations/Interests:

• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Autism
• Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders
• Apraxia of Speech
• Developmental Language Delay
• Feeding
• Articulation
• Fluency
• PROMPT Certified
• Beckman Oral-Motor Certified

Merlin Day Academy Director

Working collaboratively to support children with achieving their goals is the epitome of what influences my experience with Eyas Landing. The integrative and whole-child/family-centered approach is what really energizes and motivates the continued success we see in children.

Credentials and Certifications

• Director of Special Education Endorsement
• General Administrative (Type 75)
• School Social Worker (Type 73)

Occupational Therapist

Growing up I had a lot of opportunities working with children and young adults through community events/outreach and realized I had a passion for helping others. In undergrad, I enrolled in a health professions seminar where I got the opportunity to learn about various health professions…

Clinical Expertise

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Sensory Integration
• Therapeutic Groups

Occupational Therapy Assistant

I decided to become a therapist because I wanted to help others. Working with children was a very easy decision for me because I truly enjoy the interaction with them and seeing their progress and growth. Each child is unique…

Clinical Expertise

• Sensory Integration
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Down Syndrome
• Handwriting Without Tears

Speech-Language Pathologist

I was excited to join the Eyas Team. The feeling of being welcomed and excited about joining the team made me feel at home. I love the excitement when you walk through the doors and the smiles on the kids’ faces when they enter.

Clinical Expertise

• Autism
• Developmental Language Delay
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• Expressive and Receptive Language
• Articulation
• Cognitive Communication

Speech-Language Pathologist

I was drawn to the field speech language pathology for so many reasons. As an SLP, of course, I am endlessly interested in communication, linguistics, and cognitive science. More importantly…

Clinical Expertise

• Expressive and Receptive Language
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Social/Pragmatic Language

Speech-Language Pathologist

As the child of first-generation immigrants, English was not my first language. This affected my ability to effectively communicate with others when I started attending school. However, despite the language barrier, I developed a love for books and literacy-based activities. Eventually, English/Language Arts became my strongest subject in school. When applying to colleges…

Clinical Expertise

• Receptive and Expressive Language Disorders
• Social/Pragmatic Language
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Articulation
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Social/Emotional Disorders
• Diverse Populations

Speech-Language Pathologist

I completed my 12 week medical externship placement at Eyas. As a masters student, I was drawn by Eyas’ collaborative environment and passion towards the children they help…

Clinical Expertise

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• AAC
• DIR Floortime
• Medically Complex Individuals
• Receptive and Expressive Language
• Social Pragmatic Language
• Feeding
• Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Speech-Language Pathologist

I was drawn to Speech Language Pathology as it is such an interesting mix of science, creativity, and language development, knowledge, and use (among so many other aspects)! In graduate school, I worked with a wide array of individuals. This only furthered my love of the field and particularly piqued my interest in individualized therapy, particularly how to apply individualized therapy in group formats.

Clinical Expertise

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• ADHD
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Social Language/Pragmatics
• Executive Functioning
• Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders

Physical Therapist

I have been interested in physical therapy ever since witnessing my dad participate in intensive inpatient rehab following brain surgery in 2007, when I was in junior high. I watched him learn how to walk again and have pursued it ever since. My passion for working with children grew as I coached gymnastics for 5 summers throughout college, following my 16-year gymnastics career. I pursued pediatrics throughout PT school and had 2 out of 3 clinical experiences be in the pediatric setting. My first job out of school was in pediatrics as well, providing me much needed experience to be a qualified therapist for you and your child. I am so excited to help your little one accomplish their goals in therapy and in life!

Clinical Expertise

• Torticollis and Plagiocephaly
• Toe-Walking
• Developmental Delay
• Evidenced Based Practice

Physical Therapy Assistant

I believe in the power of movement to soothe the body and mind. This is what led me to becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant. After spending 20 years as a High School Math Teacher, I craved a way to educate others on ways to improve their quality of life through movement. My experiences as a teacher, yogi, jogger and lover of the outdoors…

My Eyas Landing

I am excited to be part of the multidisciplinary Eyas Landing team to serve children and their families. I have seen the smiles and care given by staff while at Eyas Landing and know that the impact is profound.

Social Worker

I chose to become a school social worker because I value the opportunity to build relationships with students and their families. I really value the school setting as it is where children spend a great deal of time and have the opportunity to build social skills and emotion expression/regulation skills.

Clinical Expertise

• Social and Emotional Skills
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy
• Individual Therapy
• Small Group Therapy

Social Worker

I decided to become a therapist because of my passion for mental health. When I entered undergrad, I thought that I wanted to be a forensic psychologist like Clarice Starling in Silence of the Lambs, but quickly realized how much schooling that would require. However, I took many courses during that time that introduced me to the complexities of the human brain- specifically the many different mental disorders. I was familiar with depression and anxiety, as I have personal experience with both, but I did not know much about other illnesses. The more I learned, the more it made me realize how much I wanted to help individuals who might be suffering from those illnesses.

Clinical Expertise

• CBT
• Trauma
• SEL
• ABA

Social Worker, Therapy Case Manager

I love everything about social work and I’m so excited to be working in this new role! Previously I was an EI Service Coordinator and I’ve also worked in medical social work with the VA.

Education

Master of Social Work,
Dominican University

Bachelor of Social Work,
The University of Alabama

Special Education Teacher, Therapy Case Manager

I became an educator 14 years ago, and have been helping young people grow and learn ever since. I first worked with English language learners, and then pursued a M.Ed. in special education. To be an effective teacher, you need to learn about your students as individuals with unique experiences and needs. I work closely with my students and their families to set academic and personal goals, and then teach the skills and strategies needed to meet them. For learning and growth to happen, I create a space in which students feel safe to explore.

Masters of Education in Special Education,
Long Island University-Brooklyn

Bachelor of Arts Dual Major in Economics/Literature,
Marlboro College

Special Education Teacher

It was always a passion to help other people.

• DIR Floortime
• Play Therapist

1. Having my own private practice and developing interdisciplinary approach to work with children.

Behavior Analyst

I began working at Blue Bird Day as an RBT while I finished my masters and studied for my BCBA exam. After passing the exam, I applied for a position at Eyas landing.

Clinical Expertise

• Clinical emphasis and experience in discrete trial teaching
• Functional communication training
• Instructional control
• Pairing procedure

Behavior Analyst

I started working in ABA in 2013 without any knowledge or experience of the field. I quickly developed a passion for the field, the kids we work with, and eventually decided to pursue a graduate degree…

My Advocacy

I am a fan of One Tail at a Time – I have fostered a few furry friends through them.

Behavior Analyst

I fell in love with the science of behavior analysis as an undergraduate student doing my first internship in a special education classroom! I knew from the first week of the internship I wanted to become a BCBA.

My Professional Goals

To grow professionally as a clinician, engage in ethical practices, and become more versed in the science of behavior analysis as the field is growing.

Senior Behavior Therapist

I enjoy working with people who share a passion for progress among clients. What I love the most about working at Eyas Landing is the sense of community and collaboration when working with our clients.

Clinical Expertise

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Behavior Management and Reduction
• Discrete Trial Teaching
• Natural Environment Teaching

Senior Behavior Therapist

I started off school working with cars and soon realized I wasn’t helping someone face-to-face, so I decided to switch majors and chose Behavior Analysis. After attending my classes, I noticed that it was a women dominated field, as I was one of two males in the class. Therefore, it hit me that this field needs more males, which is why I decided to pursue this field. Furthermore, I started working with kids with Autism and realized how much of our help they need and they wouldn’t develop skills and grow without our dedication for them.

Clinical Expertise

Lead Behavior Therapist

Clinical Expertise

Behavior Therapist

I majored in Exercise Science at Concordia University Chicago with the intention of applying to PT school. However, during my college career, I found a passion working with children instead. This drifted my aspiration of becoming a physical therapist because I found myself enjoying educating children and keeping them physically active. My interest then began working at recreational facilities, specifically advocating to improve children’s confidence and develop their abilities.

Clinical Expertise

• Play and interactive skills
• Fine motor skill development
• Gross motor skill development

Behavior Therapist

I graduated from the University of Tennessee last May with a Bachelors of Art in Psychology. I spent the last year as a lead teacher for a Pre-K classroom. I am hoping to become a clinical mental health counselor in the future.

Bachelors of Art in Psychology,
University of Tennessee

Behavior Therapist

I started working as an ABA therapist in a high intensity environment with extreme aggressive, destructive, or dangerous behaviors. Seeing the differences our work can do for these individuals and their families provides me with a deep sense of satisfaction and pride.

• ABA
• Sensory Integration
• Environmental Antecedent Identification/Reduction
• Seizure Comorbidity
• De-escalation Techniques

Behavior Therapist

I have always been passionate about working with children and trying to help people in need. After going to school, I realized that Behavior Therapy is perfect for me! I get to do…

1. Become a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst.

Behavior Therapist

I decided to become a therapist when my sister started within this field and told me I could be a good fit. I then I started to fall in love with the feel this job gives.

• PEC Training and NET Training with kiddos between the ages of 2-5 and ages 17-20.

Behavior Therapist

I been in special education field for 10 years and those 10 years have interested me in understanding behaviors of kids with special needs from a therapeutic perspective.

1. My professional goal is to be a certified RBT and use that certification in school and work to be a BCBA one day.

Behavior Therapist

While I’ve always known that I wanted to work with children, it has been a journey figuring out exactly how I wanted to do this. I am currently pursuing a career change, from nursing care into developmental therapeutic care, where I hope to develop better connections with the kids I work with, and have a more direct effect on their everyday lives.

Education

Masters of Science in Nursing,
University of Illinois at Chicago

Bachelors of Arts,
Psychology and Philosophy,
Connecticut College

Therapeutic Assistant

Growing up, I have always been involved with competitive sports, meaning that I have had my fair share of injuries. The physical therapy side of rehabilitation has always interested me and lead me to learn about Occupational Therapy.

1. I am currently an Undergraduate student at UIC on the pre Occupational Therapy track. I will be finishing up my third undergraduate year and getting ready for graduate school soon. Luckily, I have been admitted into UIC’s GPPA program for Occupational Therapy so I will be studying in the city for the next couple years!