Therapy isn’t just about milestones—it’s about progress that feels meaningful for your child and family. Starting early allows us to meet your child where they are, celebrate every win, and help them grow in ways that matter most to you.
We hear this a lot. Here's why:
Dana Ignarski, MS, BCBA is the Clinical Director at the Deerfield clinic. She has over 15 years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and a deep passion for supporting meaningful progress for children and their families. Dana finds the most rewarding part of her work to be partnering with families and celebrating each child’s growth—moments that continue to motivate and inspire her every day.
Dana’s journey into ABA began in 2006, when she changed her undergraduate major from Musical Theatre to Psychology. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and her Master of Science degree from Capella University. Dana began her career as a Registered Behavior Technician and has worked in the field since 2008. She has been a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst for six years and is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality clinical leadership and care.
Dana has been with NSPT for a year and a half and previously served as the Lead BCBA at the Lake Bluff location before transitioning into her role as Clinical Director at Deerfield.
Outside of work, Dana enjoys spending time with her family of five, kayaking and hiking outdoors, traveling to northern Wisconsin, practicing yoga, and singing in a band. She is looking forward to meeting everyone and becoming part of the Deerfield community.
Kayleen received her Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and a Bachelor's in Psychology from St. Leo University. Kayleen previously worked as Clinical Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, overseeing the ABA department at Lake Bluff as well as the Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Belonging Committee (DEIB).
For Kayleen, client progress is the most rewarding part of the job. She loves providing mentorship to students and Behavior Therapists to reach their true potential. Kayleen's passion for pediatric therapy can be traced back to 2005, when her baby brother received OT, and SLP services.
Ask her about how to dance - it’s her secret talent! When Kayleen is not keeping busy with her Lake Bluff Team, you can find her on a run, or traveling with her husband and beautiful daughters.
Ryan Emry received his Bachelor of Science from The Illinois Institute of Technology, and his Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
As an Area Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Ryan works as a clinician while also supporting a great team of Behavior Therapists, Behavior Analysts, Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists, across multiple centers.
For Ryan, watching our children learn and grow is the most rewarding part of the job.
When Ryan is not keeping busy at the clinic, you can find him spending time with his wife and two amazing daughters.
Liza received her Bachelors of Arts in Speech and Hearing Sciences with Minor in Psychology from Indiana University, and a Masters of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
As Vice President of Clinical Quality & Training at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Liza oversees the clinical operations of the Chicagoland locations, as well as provides internal clinical support to our BCBAs, leads the internal ABA apprenticeship fieldwork study program preparing students pursing their master’s in ABA to become BCBAs, and also serves as our internal ACE coordinator providing internal continuing education events to our team of BCBAs.
In addition to her role at NSPT, Liza also has served as an adjunct professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology teaching master’s courses to future BCBAs. For Liza, expanding the reach of our services to new communities and areas where there are limited options on comprehensive pediatric therapy providers is the most rewarding part of the job, and she loves growing the field through her work with student mentorship.
Rieve graduated from the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Daytona State College in 2012 and began working in pediatrics in 2013 in Orlando, FL. She spent the next 13 years honing her skills with children in medical daycares, medical group homes, elementary schools, and outpatient centers. She moved to the Chicago area in December 2025 and looks forward to sharing her experience with her new community. She has a passion for using play for every goal and focusing on each child's individual strengths. In her downtime, she enjoys nature, music, and exploring the city.
Clarisa Martinez is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) with experience providing evidence-based behavioral services to children and adolescents ages 2 to 18. As a bilingual clinician, Clarisa can provide services and caregiver training in both English and Spanish, helping families feel supported and involved throughout the treatment process. She is passionate about creating individualized, meaningful programs that build independence, improve quality of life, and help each child reach their full potential. Clarisa values collaboration with families, educators, and other professionals to ensure every child receives comprehensive support tailored to their unique needs.
In her free time, Clarisa enjoys traveling, hiking, and exploring new restaurants and food spots. She loves experiencing different cultures, trying new foods, and spending time outdoors whenever possible.
Brianna received her Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Psychology from DePaul University and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
As a Lead Assistant Clinical Coordinator at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Brianna implements and creates skill acquisition programs and goals with the supervision of her BCBA, as well as providing staff training and documenting data collection to ensure procedures are being implemented consistently and accurately to support meaningful progress for clients. For Brianna, seeing the passion and love staff share for each client is the most rewarding part of the job. Seeing the support staff provide one another and every client they come across builds a community that is like no other and is one Brianna is grateful to be a part of.
Outside of work, Brianna enjoys baking and spending time with her miniature poodle.
Kaitlin Walsh earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Northern Michigan University and went on to receive her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Midwestern University. She has experience providing speech-language services across a variety of settings, including early intervention, private practice, schools, and clinic-based services through the Des Plaines and Deerfield clinics. Kaitlin currently works full time in an elementary school and also provides telehealth speech-language services with NSPT.
Kaitlin has experience working with children and young adults with a wide range of communication needs. Her areas of expertise include expressive and receptive language disorders, early language development, articulation and phonological disorders, fluency disorders. She is also experienced in supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and implementing high- and low-tech augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. She is committed to providing individualized, family-centered care that empowers children and their families to achieve meaningful communication goals.
How We Care
From the very first conversation, we get to know your child as a whole person — their strengths, their personality, what makes them light up. Then we build a plan around them and your family's everyday life, because real progress has to fit the people living it.
Every plan starts with the child in front of us, not a standard package of hours. We look at who your child is and what they need right now, and we adjust as they grow.
A plan only works if your family can live it. We weigh your routines, your priorities, and your family's wellbeing so therapy supports your whole household, not just a calendar.
We guide and coach you every step of the way, because the most meaningful progress keeps going at home, long after a session ends.
Your child is never a diagnosis or a number to us. We get to know the person you love, and we measure success by the moments that matter to your family.
Talk with our Deerfield team about the right support for your child. After filling out our form, you'll find: free consultations, a complimentary benefits check, and a quick, personal reply from our team.
Contact usEvery service below exists to close a real gap in your child's day — at home, at school, with friends. Here's what we work on, and why it matters.
Our BCBAs build programs around your child's strengths, interests, and what matters most to your family, then adjust constantly as they grow, learn, and surprise everyone. Great ABA is playful, connected, and shaped by your child’s voice, and that’s the standard we’re known for.
Explore ABA Therapy at NSPT →
Our mental health clinicians support children ages 3+ in understanding their emotions, building regulation strategies, and feeling more at home in their own minds, while keeping families informed and connected throughout.
Explore Mental Health and Social Work →Our physical therapists support children who are building gross motor skills, coordination, strength, and balance — because every child deserves to move through the world on their own terms.
Explore Physical Therapy →Our in-house neuropsychologists provide comprehensive autism evaluations for children 18 months and up. No referral maze. No 9-month wait.
A full picture of your child's strengths and support needs, delivered with care and honesty.
Whether your child is building their first words, expanding their language, or exploring new foods and textures, our speech-language pathologists meet them exactly where they are and open doors to richer communication.
Explore Speech and Feeding Therapy →OT builds the daily living skills that shape a child's confidence — getting dressed, holding a pencil, navigating sensory experiences.
Our occupational therapists work alongside your child to make those moments feel more manageable and more theirs.
Our Deerfield center sits on Lake Cook Road, easy to reach for families across the North Shore and from neighboring Highland Park, Northbrook, and Riverwoods. Whether you're coming from near Northbrook Court, Jewett Park, or the Deerfield Metra station, getting your child to consistent, weekly therapy shouldn't mean a long drive—and here it doesn't.
We work hand-in-hand with the schools your kids actually attend. That means coordinating with Deerfield Public Schools District 109 and Township High School District 113 on IEP goals, evaluations, and the language that shows up in your child's school day. You'll see support that lines up with what their teachers and therapists are already doing, not generic recommendations.
And because Deerfield is built for families—Jewett Park and Mitchell Pool, the Des Plaines River Trail, and a walkable downtown by the Metra station—we focus on the real-world skills that let your child take part: regulating in a busy playground, joining a team, ordering for themselves on a Saturday outing. Therapy that travels off the mat and into their actual life here.
Yes. Our Deerfield clinic at 707 Lake Cook Road, Suite 312 provides center-based ABA therapy for children with autism, plus autism testing, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health services. We serve families across Deerfield, Highland Park, Northbrook, Riverwoods, and the surrounding North Shore.
We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and accept many major plans, including Optum, United Healthcare, Tricare, Multiplan, and NorthShore. We'll run a complimentary benefits check so you know your coverage before your child starts.
We support children from as young as 18 months through the teen years. Early autism testing is available for children 18 months to 4 years, and ABA programs are tailored to each child's age, strengths, and goals.
We work hard to keep wait times short. After you reach out, our team walks you through a benefits check, paperwork, and an assessment, then builds a personalized plan so your child can begin as soon as possible.
Our Deerfield location is a dedicated pediatric therapy center with private one-on-one therapy rooms, sensory and gym space, and our Blossom Prep classroom for school readiness. Care here is center-based; ask our team about the options that best fit your family.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy that helps children build communication, social, and daily-living skills through individualized, play-based teaching led by a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA).
Yes. We offer early autism testing for young children and can guide your family through the evaluation process and next steps if a diagnosis is identified.
Families come to our Deerfield clinic from Highland Park, Northbrook, Bannockburn, Riverwoods, Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove, and Highwood.
North Shore Pediatric Therapy is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and accepts most major plans — including Optum, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare, Multiplan, and NorthShore. Before your child begins, we run a complimentary benefits check on your behalf, so you understand your coverage up front.
Not sure about your plan, or whether you need a referral?
Call us at 877-486-4140 and our team will walk you through every step.
North Shore Pediatric Therapy provides compassionate, neuroaffirming care for children and families. Our expert team offers autism testing, ABA therapy, speech, occupational, and physical therapy. For over 25 years, we’ve partnered with families to help every child grow, learn, and thrive.
Services at North Shore Pediatric Therapy and Gracent Pediatric Therapy centers are provided by affiliated professional corporations.
