Erin -Developmental Therapist, Floor Time:
Many people realize their calling very early in life. I was one of those people. When I was a young girl, I discovered that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of young children. In fact I remember the exact moment that I walked into an early childhood program. I realized that a dedicated teacher, with a developmentally appropriate classroom can make all the difference in how young children learn. I have focused my education, training and professional experience towards this goal. I worked in several child care and preschool settings before opening my own home-based day care in 1995.

While providing full-time care for infants, toddlers and preschool children, I realized that many families need quality care and educational environments for their special-needs children. A Place for Children, Inc., as it is today, is a hybrid of the best child care and therapeutic theory and practice.

I attended Loyola University Chicago, earning a degree in Elementary Education. I completed a Masters in Child Development from The Erikson Institute in 1998. Shortly thereafter, I earned a credential in Developmental Therapy. I have provided Developmental Therapy to children since that time.

I teach part-time in Oakton Community College in the Early Childhood Program. I lecture and provide training opportunities to other early childhood professionals. I also enjoy mentoring new professionals to this wonderful field.
In my free time, I love to be outdoors- especially with my young children. I love to scuba dive, run, ski and hike. I hope to bring a love of nature to the educational environments that I provide to the children in my care.

I look forward to my company being a part of your family’s life and your child’s early educational experience. If there is anything I can do, any questions I can answer or any concern that need to be addressed, please do not hesitate to contact me.
erin@aplaceforchildren.com

Sasha -Developmental Therapist, ABA therapist:

During my freshman year at Loyola University Chicago I started working with a little boy with autism and he instantly stole my heart. I have been working with children with autism implementing and writing Applied Behavioral Analysis programming and behavioral plans for the past 5 years working with children from 1.5 to 10 years old.

I entered the Early Intervention field when I started working at A Place for Children. I continue learning from the children I work with everyday.

I am currently completing Master's in Special Education and plan on getting my PhD in positive developmental psychology.
sasha@aplaceforchildren.com

Lindsay -Speech and Language Assistant:
Before entering college, I had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.  During my freshman year, I had the chance to observe a speech pathologist who was working with a five year old boy and I instantly knew I wanted to be a speech pathologist.  I started taking classes for this major my sophomore year and graduated from Marquette University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Language Pathology.  I intend to go back to graduate school this fall and receive my Masters in Speech Language Pathology. 

At A Place for Children, I work as a speech language pathologist assistant.  I assist in the morning playgroups as well as see children in their homes.  In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and experiencing many of the activities and events the city of Chicago has to offer.  I really enjoy the children I work with, as well as the other therapists at A Place for Children.
lindsays@aplaceforchildren.com

Amanda -Spanish Interpreter:
I have been working for A Place For Children since 2007. I am fluent in Spanish and English. I interpret for Spanish speaking families during therapy playgroups and well as at home-based therapy sessions. I truly enjoy my job because it allows me to work with children and see the difference the therapists make in a child's life. I have always known that I wanted to work with children, and in high school I developed a strong interest in psychology. As a result I decided that my calling in life would be to work in child psychology. I completed a year at Loyola University Chicago and decided to take some time off to work. I plan to return this fall.
amanda@aplaceforchildren.com

Barbara -Polish Interpreter/Office Manager:
I have worked for A Place for Children since 2002. Originally an assistant care provider in the child care center, I primarily worked with the infants and toddlers. At this point I work as an office manager offering support services to the staff.

I also provide Polish  interpretation  for the families. I enjoy working with the children and their families as they receive therapeutic services. My role allows me the privilege of  meeting, getting to know and being an important part of a family’s therapy process/

Ean - Developmental Therapist and ABA therapist

I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2005 with my Master’s degree in Early Intervention Special Education.  While completing my degree, I was an assistant in an inclusive preschool classroom.  I also had the opportunity to intern in an extended stay NICU and a daycare for medically fragile infants and children.   

For two years I worked in the field of Autism, writing and implementing programs rooted in the theory of Applied Behavior Analysis.  I worked primarily with elementary-aged students and created programs that aimed to develop the child’s academic, self-help, communication, and social skills. 

I am glad to be back in the field of early intervention working as a developmental therapist.  I draw heavily from my educational experience and work history incorporating different techniques I have learned over the years in to my therapy sessions.  Through this, I aim to create an enjoyable, learning-enriched environment for the child that helps him or her progress in their set goals. 

My future plans are to eventually go back to school for my PhD in either child development or child psychology.
ean@aplaceforchildren.com

Tanya -Developmental Therapist:
I have worked with children for many years, mostly typical, in a daycare setting. I attended NEIU and received a degree in Early Childhood. I found that I wanted to do more. I began taking course at Elmhurst College for Speech-Language Pathology. While attending EC a professor advised me about EI. I spoke with Erin and she was
willing to be my supervisor. I feel I have learned and am still learning to work with children and their families.
tanya@aplaceforchildren.com

Reagan Miller -Developmental Therapist
I received a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Dayton in 2002. I was a classroom teacher for 4 years after graduation . I started as an assistant in a kindergarten room before becoming a head teacher of an early childhood center in New Jersey. I returned to Chicago two years ago to work as the Director of an early childhood center in Chicago serving at-risk children. I am currently taking courses at Erikson Institute to receive a Infant Specialist Certificate. At A Place for Children, I am working as a developmental therapist providing developmentally appropriate therapy to children.

mailto:reagan@aplaceforchildren.com

Cynthia -Student Intern

In fall of 2008 I will be a senior social work major psychology minor at Olivet Nazarene University. One of my passions in life is to make a positive impact on the lives of those around me, especially children. Children to me are pure innocence and it’s up to us to guide them in the best way we can. Working at A Place for Children is allowing me to explore my passion as I begin to pursue my future career in social work. After I graduate with my bachelors in social work in May of 2009 I intend on getting my masters in social work then my license in clinical social work.

mailto:cynthia@aplaceforchildren.com

 

For more information, please call Erin at 773.353.KIDS x171 or email erin@aplaceforchildren.com

www.aplaceforchildren.com  ~  erin@aplaceforchildren.com