Physical Therapy
- Jaime Passaglia, PT, DPT – Pediatric Physical Therapist, Founder and President
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from University of Illinois
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Initial Evaluator
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Sarah Kelly, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist, Clinic Director-Willowbrook
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Indiana University
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Initial Evaluator
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Julie Hesch PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist, Clinic Director-Crown Point
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Indiana University
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Initial Evaluator
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Jaime Neidenbach, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist, Clinic Director-Glenview
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Carroll University
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Carroll University
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Initial Evaluator
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Lauren Silverman, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist, Clinic Director-Highland Park
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Eastern Michigan University
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Initial Evaluator
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Katherine Knaapen, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist, Clinic Director-Wilmette
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola University Chicago
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- APTA and IPTA member
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- Rebekah Lavin, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science in Biology with Minors in Psychology and Dance from Ohio Northern University
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Sarah Kappers, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science from University of Notre Dame
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Alex Manning, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science in Spanish from University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Crystal Gomez, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science from University of Notre Dame
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Emily Gilray, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Physical Therapist
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
-
Max Janczak, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- APTA and IPTA member
- CPR and First Aid Certified
-
Katie Rudrud, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies from University of Wisconsin-Madison
- APTA and IPTA member
- CPR and First Aid Certified
-
Sarah Kojetin, PT, DPT Pediatric Physical Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- APTA and IPTA member
- CPR and First Aid Certified
Occupational Therapy
- Erin Frazier, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Clinic Director-Park Ridge
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan
- Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Health from Western Michigan
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Maddie Schultz, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist, Clinic Director-Chicago
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University
- Bachelor of Science in Occupational Sciences from Saint Louis University
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Corrie Lukkes, OTD, OTR/L, CEIM/CIMI Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Creighton University
- Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Creighton University
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator
- Certified Infant Massage Provider, Interactive Metronome, and Therapeutic Listening Provider
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Marisol Pineda, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Chicago State University
- Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Melissa Duncan, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University
- Bachelor of Science in Health Science from University of South Florida
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Hannah Smookler, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Rush University
- Bachelor of Art in Psychology from the University of Puget Sound
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Devin Mahoney, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
- Bachelor of Art in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Erin Schwenke, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified & Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from The University of New England
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from Ohio University
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Melisa Valle, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Walsh University
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Pre-Occupational Therapy from Walsh University
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Monica Parilac, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University
- Bachelor of Science in Occupational Sciences from Saint Louis University
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Siobhan Donohoe, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University
- Bachelor of Science in Occupational Sciences from Saint Louis University
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Kailey McGinness, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Saint Louis University
- Bachelor of Science in Occupational Sciences from Saint Louis University
- CPR and First Aid Certified
-
Rebecca Robinett, MS, OTR/L Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
- Bachelor of Science in Education from Hope College
- CPR and First Aid Certified
Speech Therapy
- Christine Mendoza, MHS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist, Director of Internal Relations
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
- Master of Health Science in Communication Disorders from Governors State University
- Bachelor of the Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from Elmhurst College
- Bachelor of the Arts in Psychology from University of Illinois at Chicago
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist and Evaluator
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Sarah Vogt, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist, Assistant Clinic Director-Glenview
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
- Master of Science in Speech, Language and Learning, Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Katherine Lofing, MA, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
- Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from University of Kansas Medical Center
- Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders from University of Kansas
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Suzanna Ramirez, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
- Master of Science Science in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- Fluent in Spanish
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Lauren Siragusa, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
- Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Chelsey Peterson, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
- Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Augustana College
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Kaylie Reinglass, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
- Master of Science in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Indiana University
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Emily Hunt, MA, MS, CF-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Fellow
- Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Long Island University
- Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Northern Michigan University
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Kelsi Rarick, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
- Master of Science in Speech, Language, & Learning from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics & Psychology from University of Chicago
- Certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Society (ASHA)
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Kelly Needler, MS, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
- Master of Science in Speech, Language, & Learning from Northwestern University
- Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics & Psychology from University of Chicago
- Certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Society (ASHA)
- CPR and First Aid Certified
-
Maddie Ruffin, MA, CCC-SLP Pediatric Speech Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist
- Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Maine – Onoro
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Maine – Onoro
- CPR and First Aid Certified
Developmental Therapy
- Andrea Brandess, MS, DT Pediatric Developmental Therapist
Certification and Training:
- Credentialed Developmental Therapist
- Master of Science in Language, Literacy and Specialized Instruction from DePaul University
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Certified Reading Specialist
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Chanece Richard, DT, M.Ed. Pediatric Developmental Therapy
Certification and Training:
- Credentialed Developmental Therapist
- Master of Education in Special Education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Southern Illinois University
- Certified Early Intervention Specialist
- CPR and First Aid Certified
Translation
- Vanesa Corado Lead Teacher & Spanish Interpreter/Translator
Certification and Training:
- Bachelors of Arts in Bilingual/ Multicultural Education with Minors in Bilingual/ Multicultural Education from Northeastern Illinois University
- State Translator and Interpreter
- Illinois Association of Multilingual Multicultural Education member
- CPR and First Aid Certified
Administrators
- Kaley Rosinski Director of Group Programming
Certification and Training:
- Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Oakton Community College
- Licensed EMT (State of Illinois)
- USA Swimming Certified Coach
- Lurdes Lozano Director of Billing
Lulu is an amazing bi-Lingual office manager who has worked in the therapy industry for many years. She previously worked as a regional manager for one of the Chicagoland area’s prominent physical therapy companies. She brings her knowledge and experience to Little Steps to assist children and families in their overall care. - Jessica Mazella Office Administration
Jessica previously worked as an administrative assistant for a local school before leaving to take care of her two children. Jessica understands the value of pediatric therapy as her son began receiving services at a young age. Jessica enjoys being a part of the Little Steps team and providing support for families and therapists. - Chanel Hamer Office Administration
Chanel received her degree in Accounting from Sangamon University. She obtained a wealth of experience working for one of the Northwest suburb’s most prominent hospital networks and has many years of billing experience in the healthcare field. She loves being part of the Little Steps by assisting the families and therapists. - Nicole Wojtysiak Office Administration
Nicole previously worked in childcare where she cared for multiple children with various needs. Nicole understands the importance of pediatric therapy to help children properly grow and develop to become their best self. She has a passion for health and fitness encourages creating healthy habits and routines for kids. Nicole is excited to be part of the Little Steps team and be able to welcome families to the pediatric therapy world and help them receive the best care for their child.
Animal Assisted Therapy
- Boomer Therapy Dog
- Benni Therapy Dog
