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:
Christina Fick is a passionate Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Clinical Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Illinois State University in 2018, where she served as a research apprentice with The Autism Program (TAP). This role allowed Christina to gain hands-on experience with children and families, laying the foundation for her future career.
In 2021, Christina completed a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. While completing her degree, she worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in clinics, homes, and community settings. After becoming a BCBA, Christina gained additional experience working in a therapeutic day school, as well as an inpatient psychiatric hospital. This broad range of settings has enhanced her trauma-informed approach and provided her with a well-rounded perspective on behavior analysis.
Christina is passionate about seeing client progress and finds immense fulfillment in working closely with parents to achieve positive outcomes. She is also dedicated to teaching and mentoring other BCBAs and RBTs, sharing her knowledge, and helping others grow in the field.
Outside of her professional life, Christina enjoys caring for house plants, exploring new recipes, and spending time with her pets.
Lainie Cohen received her Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Michigan State University and her Master’s in Behavior Analysis from Simmons University in Boston. As a Center Director at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Lainie provides supervision and mentorship to a team of great therapists including BCBAs, OTs, Mental Health, and Speech Therapists. She also provides supervision to field work students as they study to become a BCBA and oversees the day to day operations at the Des Plaines center.
For Lainie, increasing clients' functional communication is the most rewarding part of the job, as well as watching therapists grow in the field. Lainie is passionate about supervising and teaching individuals who have an interest in the ABA field, as well as parents, to gain more knowledge regarding implementing skill acquisition goals and behavior intervention plans.
When Lainie is not busy at the center, you can find her trying new restaurants with her husband!
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.
Sara received her Bachelor in Arts degree from Loyola University Chicago and is currently in her Master's program for Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
As a Lead Assistant Clinical Coordinator at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Sara assists Clinical Directors and BCBAs in coaching and supporting client families to promote meaningful therapy outcomes. In addition, she supervises and mentors a team of Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), offering continuous guidance and training.
Sara's passion for ABA can be traced back to when she worked with children diagnosed with autism in a high school setting. A few years after earning her bachelor's degree, she began a career as an in- home RBT and transitioned to a clinic setting.
Outside of work and school, Sara enjoys spending time in nature, being active whether that is in the gym or doing hot yoga, reading, and spending time with her loved ones.
Kassandra Rodriguez earned her Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She serves as a BCBA at North Shore Pediatric Therapy’s Elmhurst location, where she provides support and supervision to behavior technicians, develops individualized skill acquisition programs and behavior intervention plans, and works closely with families to ensure collaborative care.
Kassandra finds the most rewarding part of her work in seeing the progress each child makes—and the smiles that come with it. She also enjoys collaborating with professionals across other disciplines to provide comprehensive support.
Her passion for the field began seven years ago when she started her journey as a behavior therapist. Since then, she has been inspired by the meaningful growth she has witnessed in the children she serves.
When she’s not busy in her role as a BCBA, Kassandra enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new places.
Michelle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Elmhurst University and went on to complete her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Lewis University. As a dedicated Speech-Language Pathologist at North Shore Pediatric Therapy, Michelle provides comprehensive evaluations and individualized therapy for children with a wide range of communication challenges.
Michelle finds the most fulfillment in witnessing the progress her clients make and the impact it has on their families. She values building strong relationships with each child and their caregivers, taking the time to learn about their unique interests and incorporating them into therapy sessions to make them both effective and engaging. Michelle is a strong advocate for collaborative care and works closely with professionals across disciplines to ensure a holistic and consistent approach that supports each child’s overall development.
Her passion for supporting children began during her time working at the YMCA, where she discovered the joy of helping children of all abilities grow and succeed in their communities.
Outside the clinic, Michelle enjoys spending time with her three dogs, creating handmade décor, and photographing nature at local zoos and arboretums.
Madeleine (Maddie) Wiggins is a BCBA at North Shore Pediatric Therapy. Maddie works under the supervision of the Clinical Director, Christina, and supervises the RBT's who work one-on-one with the clients. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, and her Master of Arts in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University.
She has worked with children with Autism, Down Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy for 15 years across various settings including schools (kindergarten through high-school grade levels), in-home services, and clinics. Maddie has vast experience training staff and helping individuals learn how to navigate speech generating devices and picture-exchange communication systems. She loves getting to see the progress that each child makes as a result of the services they are receiving and how that leads to greater independence and joy in their lives. She worked as an Inclusion Assistant for the North East DuPage Special Recreation Association creating and modifying camp activities to encourage the inclusion of each individual present to not only participate, but thrive at camp.
In her free time, you can find her enjoying the lakefront, sharing meals with family and friends, or walking her Labrador Retriever.
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 Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst center sits on Addison Avenue, steps from the Metra station and easy to reach for families across town and from neighboring Villa Park, Lombard, and Oak Brook. Whether you're coming from Wilder Park, the Illinois Prairie Path, or I-290 and North Avenue, 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 Elmhurst School District 205 and York Community High School 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 Elmhurst is built for families—Wilder Park and the Elmhurst Art Museum, the Illinois Prairie Path, 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 Elmhurst clinic at 121 N Addison Avenue provides center-based ABA therapy for children with autism, plus autism testing, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and mental health services. We serve families across Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard, Oak Brook, and the surrounding western suburbs.
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 Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst clinic from Villa Park, Lombard, Oak Brook, Addison, Bensenville, and Wood Dale.
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.
